United Way is committed to investing in critical basic needs services. This includes raising and deploying funds effectively during times of emergency. The United Way Disaster Relief Fund proactively supports response and recovery in instances of natural disaster and community crises that affect individuals and families below the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) threshold in Kalamazoo […]
Patrese Griffin, a champion of fair housing concerns in the Kalamazoo area, has been named Director of the Kalamazoo County Continuum of Care. “The CoC and and United Way of South Central Michigan are thrilled to welcome Patrese to the team,” said Alyssa Stewart, UWSCMI Chief Impact Officer. Griffin brings a passion for housing advocacy […]
Seeding Grants represents a crucial step toward more equitable funding of programs and partners. The one-year, unrestricted investments of $60,000 each went to six organizations in Battle Creek and Kalamazoo led by Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC). The grants sprung from United Way BCKR’s learnings through the Catalyzing Community Giving work in Battle Creek. […]
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. In our latest round of multi-year grants, UWSCMI invited applications that were aligned to Battle Creek & […]
(269) 962-9538 34 West Jackson Street, Suite 4B Battle Creek, MI 49017 M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (269) 343-2524 709 South Westnedge Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Volunteering your valuable time is one of the most meaningful ways you can get involved with United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo, and make a true difference for our community. United Way mobilizes thousands of volunteers across the region each year, including individuals and groups working to improve homes and neighborhoods; collect food, clothing […]
When Tempest Anderson co-founded Heirloom Arts, LLC, in 2018, they couldn’t have anticipated the challenges they would face in the business’ first year. But two years after the Covid-19 pandemic wreaked havoc on the small business community, the non-binary owned tattoo shop has found its niche, and is thriving. Founded on a desire to build […]
United Way targets long-term strategic goals in the biggest areas of need. Our work goes beyond treating symptoms; we’re creating cures. We’re gathering every resource and voice to solve our community’s toughest problems. Choose from the buttons below to discover where lasting impact is happening.
In partnership with the City of Kalamazoo, the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation have collaborated to administer a portion – $1 million – of the City of Kalamazoo’s Federal American Rescue Plan (ARP) State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds. The funds are intended to support nonprofits […]
(269) 962-9538 34 West Jackson Street, Suite 4B Battle Creek, MI 49017 M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (269) 343-2524 709 South Westnedge Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007 M-F 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Equity means recognizing the need to eliminate disparities from historically underserved and underrepresented populations. It also means the creation of opportunities, sharing of resources, and empowering communities to civic action. We recognize that there are many different approaches to getting-out-the-count and we value diversity in our funding. We believe that the communities most affected by […]
A bicycle can give a child freedom, independence and a sense of empowerment. At Open Roads Bike Program, participants get all of that and more as they acquire the tools to navigate both their neighborhoods and their lives. “When we can help them earn a bike and lock, they’re like, ‘Whoa, game changer,’” said Erin […]
As a social worker at Ministry with Community in Kalamazoo, Hannah Turner is all too familiar with the difficulty faced by homeless and economically vulnerable residents in obtaining state identification. She begins the process with up to eight Ministry members each week, and depending on the situation, it can take months to track down and […]
With federal funding made available through the City of Kalamazoo, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region is partnering with the City to provide reimbursement in the form of immediate grant support to for-profit businesses hardest hit by COVID-19 for costs related to health and human safety. “Small businesses are shouldering a huge […]