About Heart of West Michigan United Way
To unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan.
Focus Areas
ALICE (asset limited, income constrained, employed)Financial SecurityHealthy CommunityYouth OpportunityCommunity Resiliency211 HelplineFamily Stability ProgramVITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance)Nonprofit Capacity Building
Funding Style
general operating supportdesignated/restricted fundingpass-through/intermediary fundingallocation-based grants
About Heart of West Michigan United Way
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY is headquartered in Grand Rapids, MI. It reported $14,678,806 in annual grants given and $33,715,985 in total assets on its latest 990 year on file, 2025. Its stated work is to unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan. The foundation’s active funding programs and recent grantmaking show emphasis on Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, Community Resiliency, 211 Helpline, Family Stability Program, VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance), and Nonprofit Capacity Building. Recent grants include $1,056,103 to SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL SERVICES OF KEN TCOUNTY for general support in 2024, $726,531 to SALVATION ARMY KENT COUNTY for allocation/designation/pass-thru in 2025, and $345,368 to HEALTH NET OF WEST MICHIGAN for allocation/pass-thru in 2025. Other large grants include $261,336 to ICCF COMMUNITY HOMES in 2024 and $263,044 to FAMILY PROMISE OF WEST MICHIGAN in 2023. The available grant list shows recurring support for local service providers in Grand Rapids and the surrounding West Michigan area, with grant structures including general support, allocation, designation, and pass-through funding.
What Heart of West Michigan United Way Funds
Recent grantmaking spans financial security, healthy community, and youth opportunity, along with capacity building and community-driven initiatives. Notable grants include $1,056,103 to SALVATION ARMY SOCIAL SERVICES OF KEN TCOUNTY for general support, $726,531 to SALVATION ARMY KENT COUNTY for allocation/designation/pass-thru, and $345,368 to HEALTH NET OF WEST MICHIGAN for allocation/pass-thru. Other grants reflect related work: $190,000 to CITY OF GRAND RAPIDS - OUR COMMUNITY'S CHILDREN, $186,145 to YWCA WEST CENTRAL MICHIGAN, and $146,947 to PINE REST CHRISTIAN MENTAL HEALTH. Active programs also name education and enrichment, belonging and identity-affirming programs, mentorship and career exposure, and college and career readiness within the youth opportunity pillar.
How Heart of West Michigan United Way Gives
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY’s typical grant size is $10,000 at the 25th percentile, $24,248 at the median, and $69,986 at the 75th percentile. Recent grants show a mix of general support, designated funding, allocation-based grants, and pass-through grants. Its active programs include competitive community investment cycles and microgrant opportunities; several programs do not accept unsolicited applications, while the Emerging Leaders United Microgrant Fund and the Microgrant Program do accept unsolicited applications. The grant record indicates repeated funding to local nonprofit partners and intermediary organizations.
Financial Snapshot
Annual Giving
$14.7M
Total Assets
$33.7M
Total Revenue
$12.9M
Total Expenses
$14.2M
Typical Grant Size
Most grants fall between $10K and $70K, with a median of $24K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$24K
75th Percentile
$70K
Geographic Reach
Local2 states funded
About 99% of grants go to recipients in MI.
Funding intensity
LowHigh
Headquarters
Leadership
MICHELLE VAN DYKE
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