Grantmaking – United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region

Through this open funding process, United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) seeks to increase the number of households in Greater Battle Creek and Kalamazoo County living above the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) threshold, established by the Michigan ALICE Report.

UWSCMI invites applications for these grants that are aligned to Battle Creek & Kalamazoo Impact Goals:

  1. A Safety Net for ALICE: In the region, all individuals and families with an immediate need for shelter, food or other necessities are connected to a robust support system that can meet their needs.
  2. Pathways for ALICE: A community that initiates and supports efforts to ensure that individuals and families have pathways to financial stability, living above the ALICE survival budget thresholds.
  3. Community Building for ALICE: A community that understands challenges individuals and families face and makes commitments to address inequities and improve conditions for those struggling financially.

Across these goals, UWSCMI has a special interest in supporting Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) individuals, who are more likely to be living below the ALICE threshold because of systemic and societal inequities.

Above photo: Joshua Bawi, 9, concentrates on a summer school session at the Burma Center. Photo by John Grap, courtesy of Second Wave Media.

  • Three-year grant term: July 1, 2023 to June 30, 2026.
  • Funding can be used to support all facets of program delivery (i.e. direct client assistance, staff capacity/general operating costs, professional fees, and capital expenses can all be considered as part of an organization’s application).
  • Application and reporting will be done via the online e-CImpact system, which can be accessed in English, French, and Spanish.
  • Application submission deadline: Friday, December 2 at noon.

Organizational Requirements

  • Organizations must be an active 501(c)(3) organization or have an active 501(c)(3) as a fiscal sponsor or  be a Public Entity (ie. community colleges, public schools/libraries, county social services).
  • Organization and proposed work must serve residents of Greater Battle Creek and/or Kalamazoo County.
  • Organization must serve one or more of the following populations disproportionately living below the ALICE threshold: BIPoC households/individuals, ALICE children, those above 65 years old, persons with disabilities, single parent households, geographical area(s) with more than 39% ALICE (see Appendix A for geographical area data).

Request Requirements

  • Work proposed has a connection to one or more of the ALICE budget expense categories of Housing, Childcare, Food, Transportation, Healthcare, or Technology and/or to Asset Building or Wage Growth.
  • Work utilizes and/or increases equitable practices, policies, and knowledge to benefit communities most affected by inequities.

UWSCMI is committed to the full inclusion of all individuals. As part of this commitment, UWSCMI will ensure that applicants are provided reasonable accommodations. Technical assistance and UWSCMI staff support are available during application process and full term of grant. Interpretation services will be available upon request in Arabic, Burmese, French and Spanish.

To request services or for questions of any kind, email [email protected].

Full Opportunity Overview

Agency Instructions

Office Hours

Video Training

  • We strongly encourage you to watch the following videos for detailed guides on each element of the application.