United Way of South Central Michigan

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $23.6 million (2023-24)
• Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed (highly competitive process)
• Decision Time: 3-4 months
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $45,000 (varies by programme)
• Geographic Focus: Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties in Michigan

Contact Details

Website: www.unitedforscmi.org

Email: communityimpact@uwscmi.org

Phone Numbers:

• Battle Creek Office: (269) 962-9538
• Jackson Office: (517) 784-0511
• Lansing Office: (517) 203-5000
• Kalamazoo Office: (269) 343-2524

Pre-application Support: Contact the Community Impact team at communityimpact@uwscmi.org for questions about grant programmes

Overview

United Way of South Central Michigan (EIN: 38-1359193) was formed in April 2022 through a merger of Capital Area United Way, United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, and United Way of Jackson County. In 2023-24, the organisation distributed more than $23.6 million in local support and outside grants to address financial hardship and basic needs across six counties in South Central Michigan. The organisation has transformed from a traditional funding organisation to one that leads strategic change, focusing on reducing racial and economic disparities for Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households. Their work emphasises financial stability, education, health, and basic needs through community partnerships and collaborative solutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Community Impact Grants: 15-month grant cycle

• Available to eligible nonprofit agencies in Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties
• Example allocations: $2,780,430 to 60 programmes in Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area; $300,000 to 19 programmes in Jackson County; $250,000 to 18 programmes in Capital Area
• Application deadline: December (annually, online via e-CImpact system)

Basic Needs Grants: Up to $15,000 annually

• Focus: Health, human services, or education
• Support for organisations providing essential services

Collaborative Grants: Up to $45,000 annually

• For organisations working together on joint initiatives
• Emphasis on partnership and collective impact

Grassroots Grants: $5,000 per year

• Target: Small nonprofits with annual budgets below $100,000
• Designed to support emerging community organisations

Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants (KMEG): $5,000 grants

• Target: Microbusinesses within City of Kalamazoo limits
• Partnership with City of Kalamazoo and Foundation For Excellence
• Awards announced in late November, payments in mid-December

Priority Areas

Youth Opportunity: Supporting children- and youth-serving organisations that provide for basic needs, offer safe spaces and experiences for growth and learning, and create settings where young people are valued as individuals and connected to caring adults.

Financial Security: Partnering with organisations that empower ALICE households to sustain families and build financial opportunity for future generations, helping adults thrive in careers, live in quality housing, and build generational wealth.

Community Resiliency: Creating networks of funded partners and collaborations that increase community resilience, building communities that are more connected, supportive, and ready to respond to challenges. Includes investments in 211 Helpline and Disaster Relief and Recovery.

Health and Basic Needs: Ensuring safety net services for people facing financial hardship, including food, shelter, and utility assistance.

What They Don't Fund

Information about explicit exclusions was not publicly available in grant materials. Contact the Community Impact team for specific eligibility questions.

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership

• Chris Sargent - President & CEO: A 1997 Alma College graduate with two decades of nonprofit experience, Sargent previously worked with Heart of West Michigan United Way and United Way of Greater Battle Creek. He emphasises that United Way has "transformed its mission in recent years from a funding organisation to one that leads strategic change."

• Jen Hsu-Bishop - Executive Impact and Equity Officer

• Teresa Kmetz - Executive Development & Marketing Officer

• Heather Garcia - Senior Director of Finance

• Natalie O'Hagan - Senior Director of Strategy & Culture

• Jamie Rugg - Senior Director of Operations

• Bethany Stutzman - Senior Director of Community Impact

Board of Directors (Current)

Officers:

• Jamie Rabe (Chair) - Andrews, Hooper, Pavlik
• Stephanie Slingerland (Immediate Past Chair) - Chief Philanthropy Officer, Kellanova
• Maureen Keene (1st Vice Chair) - Jackson County ISD
• Lisa Garcia (2nd Vice Chair) - Western Michigan University
• Todd McDonald (Treasurer) - CSM Group
• Unaa Holiness (Secretary) - Michigan Education Association

Members at Large: Board includes representatives from major employers and community organisations including Bronson Healthcare Group, Henry Ford Allegiance Health, Michigan State University, Battle Creek Public Schools, UAW Locals 652 and 602, IBEW Local 252, WK Kellogg Co, Consumers Energy, Duncan Aviation, Adventure Credit Union, GM Lansing Delta Township, and other community stakeholders.

Leadership Quotes

Chris Sargent on United Way's strategic approach: "Delivering sustainable, long-lasting change takes an organisation that can pull together those agencies and every other available resource, whether local and beyond, in a focused, strategic way. That's what United Way does."

On motivation: "I want them to live in a community where they can achieve their full potential. For that to happen, we all must have that opportunity."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted through the e-CImpact online system for Community Impact Grants. The organisation provides multiple resources:

• Grant Guide (downloadable from website)
• Sample application
• Sample report
• Review rubric (used by volunteer reviewers)

Contact communityimpact@uwscmi.org with questions throughout the application process.

Decision Timeline

Community Impact Grants:

• Applications typically open in late October
• Application submission deadline typically in mid-December (noon)
• January–March: Application review by volunteer committees
• April: Grant selections finalised
• May: Notification of awards
• July: Grant cycle begins

Typical Timeline: 3-4 months from application deadline to notification of awards.

Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants: Decisions announced in late November, with payments distributed in mid-December (approximately 1 month turnaround).

Success Rates

The grant process is described as highly competitive with dozens of volunteers participating in evaluating proposals annually. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed. In a recent cycle, approximately 59-60 agencies received funding in the Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area, 17 agencies in Jackson County, and 23 agencies in the Capital Area.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly documented. Organisations should contact the Community Impact team at communityimpact@uwscmi.org for guidance on reapplication opportunities and waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

United Way of South Central Michigan emphasises specific criteria in their grant review process:

Equity Focus: Grant reviewers deliberate based upon equity and how the solution advances and supports financial stability for the ALICE population. Applications must demonstrate clear understanding of and commitment to addressing racial and economic disparities.

Measurable Results: The organisation has shifted focus to specific, measurable impact goals including improving high school graduation rates, increasing economically stable households, improving family and infant health, and ensuring safety nets for people in need.

Collaborative Approach: United Way values organisations that can work as part of a network of partners. As CEO Chris Sargent notes, sustainable change requires "an organisation that can pull together those agencies and every other available resource, whether local and beyond, in a focused, strategic way."

Alignment with Core Values: Applications should reflect United Way's values of:

• Equity: Diversity, inclusivity, justice, antiracism, empathy, and trust
• Integrity: Transparency, accountability, and adaptability
• Collaboration: Partnering with communities to honour voices and increase impact
• Community: Solving social issues affecting local individuals and families
• Compassion: Caring for people served, colleagues, and communities
• Results: Driving impact through innovation and equitable solutions

Strategic Alignment: Proposals must address one or more priority areas (Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, Community Resiliency, Health/Basic Needs) and demonstrate how the work creates opportunities for every person to reach their full potential.

Community Voice: United Way emphasises "leading with our communities" and honouring the voices of those served. Applications should demonstrate meaningful community engagement and responsiveness to local needs.

Available Resources: Applicants can download and review the evaluation rubric before applying to understand exactly how proposals will be assessed by volunteer review committees.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Focus on ALICE households: Every proposal must clearly demonstrate how it serves Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed populations and addresses their specific needs in financial stability, education, health, or basic needs.

• Lead with equity: Applications will be evaluated primarily on how they advance equity and reduce racial and economic disparities. Use concrete examples and data to demonstrate commitment to equity principles.

• Emphasise collaboration: United Way values partnership approaches. Highlight existing collaborations or willingness to work within a broader network of service providers.

• Use measurable outcomes: Provide specific, quantifiable goals and outcomes rather than general statements. Align with United Way's emphasis on measurable results.

• Download the rubric: Review the application rubric before writing to ensure you address all evaluation criteria. Sample applications are also available to guide your approach.

• Apply to the right programme: Understand the differences between Basic Needs, Collaborative, and Grassroots grants to ensure you're applying to the programme that best fits your organisation's size and approach.

• Plan ahead: With a 3-4 month decision timeline from December deadline to May notification, factor this into your organisational planning and ensure you can wait for funding decisions.

References

• United Way of South Central Michigan official website: https://unitedforscmi.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grantmaking page: https://unitedforscmi.org/grantmaking/ (accessed January 2026)
• 2026-27 Community Impact Grants announcement: https://unitedforscmi.org/invitation-open-for-2026-27-community-impact-grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• Vision, Mission & Values: https://unitedforscmi.org/vision-mission-values/ (accessed January 2026)
• Board of Directors: https://unitedforscmi.org/board-of-directors/ (accessed January 2026)
• Executive Leadership: https://unitedforscmi.org/executive-leadership/ (accessed January 2026)
• "United Way Drives $23.6 Million in Impact": https://unitedforscmi.org/united-way-drives-23-6-million-in-impact/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Chris Sargent Named President & CEO": https://unitedforscmi.org/chris-sargent-named-president-ceo/ (accessed January 2026)
• "Taking Impact Personally": https://unitedforscmi.org/taking-impact-personally/ (accessed January 2026)
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, EIN 38-1359193: https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/381359193 (accessed January 2026)
• Kalamazoo Micro-Enterprise Grants: https://unitedforscmi.org/battle-creek-kalamazoo/kalamazoo-micro-enterprise-grants/ (accessed January 2026)
• Capital Area Community Impact Grants: https://unitedforscmi.org/capital-area-community-impact-grants/ (accessed January 2026)