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 […]
Carol Hindbaugh can be found every Monday and Friday in the kitchen at Ministry With Community, prepping and serving lunch to members and enjoying every minute of it. She retired three years ago after a 37-year career as a behavioral health nurse at Borgess Medical Center, and quickly discovered how much she missed connecting with […]
Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG) provide $5,000 grants to eligible microbusinesses within the city limits. The program is designed to bring relief to Kalamazoo businesses in need of support. In an effort to remedy historical disparities that exist in funding sources, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Color) and women-owned businesses, as well as those located […]
This 21-Day Disability Justice Challenge is made possible through the valuable partnership between United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region and Disability Network Southwest Michigan. Our two organizations share a vision for our community where every person is equitably supported, and all people benefit with full access and inclusion. We all know something […]