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United Way of South Central Michigan

Annual Giving
$23.6M
Grant Range
$5K - $0.0M
Decision Time
4mo

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 program)
  • 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 programs

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 organization 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 organization has transformed from a traditional funding organization to one that leads strategic change, focusing on reducing racial and economic disparities for Asset-Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households. Their work emphasizes financial stability, education, health, and basic needs through community partnerships and collaborative solutions.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Community Impact Grants: 15-month grant cycle (July 2026 - September 2027)

  • Available to eligible nonprofit agencies in Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties
  • Annual allocation examples from 2024-25: $2,780,430 to 60 programs in Battle Creek/Kalamazoo area; $300,000 to 19 programs in Jackson County; $250,000 to 18 programs 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 organizations providing essential services

Collaborative Grants: Up to $45,000 annually

  • For organizations 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 organizations

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 organizations 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 organizations 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 emphasizes that United Way has "transformed its mission in recent years from a funding organization 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 organizations 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 organization 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 organization 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 (2026-27 Cycle):

  • October 27, 2025: Application window opens
  • December 18, 2025 (noon): Application submission deadline
  • January-March 2026: Application review by volunteer committees
  • April 2026: Grant selections finalized
  • May 1, 2026: Notification of awards
  • July 1, 2026: 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 the 2024-25 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. Organizations 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 emphasizes 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 organization 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 organizations that can work as part of a network of partners. As CEO Chris Sargent notes, sustainable change requires "an organization 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 honor 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 emphasizes "leading with our communities" and honoring 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.

  • Emphasize 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 program: Understand the differences between Basic Needs, Collaborative, and Grassroots grants to ensure you're applying to the program that best fits your organization's size and approach.

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

References

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