Drive impact by leading shared efforts that engage diverse people, ideas and resources to address local and regional challenges and improve financial stability for individuals and families.
United Way of South Central Michigan’s grantmaking is built around shared efforts that support financial stability for individuals and families, with funding that also reaches education, basic needs, housing, childcare, workforce support, disaster relief, 2-1-1 information and referral, and VITA tax assistance. Recent grants show a strong local pattern centered in Kalamazoo and Battle Creek, alongside support for regional partners and donor-designated funding flows. Among the clearest signals of its priorities is support for family and infant health: in 2023 the foundation gave $442,281 to Young Women’s Christian Assoc of Kalamazoo for designations and physical, mental, and behavioral health for family and infant. Housing is another visible thread, with $273,353 to Housing Resources Inc in 2025 through donor designations and a separate $241,967 grant in 2023 tied to stable and affordable housing. The portfolio also includes help for people facing immediate needs through organizations such as Community Action in Battle Creek, South Michigan Food Bank, and Legal Aid of Western Michigan-kz. Its work combines partner funding, designations, and program-linked grants that connect directly to local household stability.
Housing and basic needs appear repeatedly in the foundation’s grant list. In 2025, Housing Resources Inc received $273,353 through donor designations, and in 2023 Community Action in Battle Creek received $239,805 for designations and stable and affordable housing. South Michigan Food Bank in Battle Creek also received $202,690 in 2023 for designations and food. Family and infant wellbeing is another clear area. Catholic Charities - Diocese of Kalamazoo received $178,952 in 2023 for designations and physical, mental, and behavioral health for family and infant, while Grace Health in Battle Creek received $151,575 for the same area. The foundation also supports early childhood and workforce-linked assistance. Kalamazoo Resa received $113,060 in 2023 for designations and early childhood success and kindergarten readiness, and Voces in Battle Creek received $150,864 in 2023 for designations and workforce and income supports for low-income and working individuals.
Typical grants cluster around a median of $30,316, with a lower quartile of $13,861 and an upper quartile of $64,582. The recent record shows both smaller partner grants and larger designation flows, including multi-hundred-thousand-dollar awards. Grantmaking is local, and recipients are overwhelmingly in Michigan, especially the HQ state. The pattern also shows recurring support to some organizations across years, such as Housing Resources Inc, Community Action, Voces, and South Michigan Food Bank. The foundation uses a mix of donor designations, program-linked grants, fiscal sponsorship payouts, and grant programs with defined cycles.
$6.7M
$33M
$23.3M
$22.2M
Most grants fall between $14K and $65K, with a median of $30K.
25th Percentile
$14K
Median
$30K
75th Percentile
$65K
CHRISTIPHER SARGENT
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Grantmaking is concentrated in Michigan, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state and Michigan as the top state by grant count. Within the recent grants list, Kalamazoo and Battle Creek appear most often, including grants to Housing Resources Inc, YWCA of Kalamazoo, Hope Thru Navigation, and Legal Aid of Western Michigan-kz in Kalamazoo, plus Community Action, South Michigan Food Bank, Voces, and Grace Health in Battle Creek. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Its grant list points to education, financial stability, basic needs, housing, childcare, workforce and employment supports, disaster relief, 2-1-1 information and referral, and VITA tax assistance. The recent grant history also includes family and infant health, early childhood readiness, and food access.
The middle of the distribution is $30,316, with the 25th percentile at $13,861 and the 75th percentile at $64,582. That suggests many grants are relatively modest, alongside some larger designation and program-support awards.
Its giving is local, and 89% of grants go to recipients in Michigan. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based, and the recent list is dominated by Michigan organizations in Kalamazoo, Battle Creek, and other in-state locations.
Yes. Housing Resources Inc appears in both 2023 and 2025; Community Action appears in both years as well; and Voces and South Michigan Food Bank also recur across the recent grant list. That indicates the foundation supports some partners more than once.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Current and upcoming funding from United Way of South Central Michigan that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Nonprofit agencies serving Albion, Homer and/or Calhoun County are eligible to apply.
Deadline: Applications are due on the 15th of February, May, August, and October.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UW OF METRO CHICAGO | CHICAGO, IL | $332,133 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| GRYPHON PLACE | KALAMAZOO, MI | $330,226 | 2026 | HANDS ON BATTLE CREEK |
| YWCA OF KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $185,438 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT, DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| MINISTRY WITH COMMUNITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $175,587 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT, DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| LEGAL SERVICES SCMI | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $143,946 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| SOUTH MICHIGAN FOOD BANK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $135,616 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| HOUSING RESOURCES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $132,345 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $128,381 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| DIGNITY IN MOTION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $125,162 | 2026 | MINI-GRANT, NOT SURE-HOUSING UNHOUSED |
| UNITED WAY OF THE GREATER TRIANGLE | DURHAM, NC | $123,450 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| UNITED WAY OF WEST TENNESSEE | JACKSON, TN | $116,358 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| FAMILY SERVICE & CHILDREN'S AID | JACKSON, MI | $112,436 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| VOCES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $107,649 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| PREVENTION WORKS OF SOUTHWEST MI | KALAMAZOO, MI | $99,797 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| MILESTONE SENIOR SVCS FORMERLY SENIOR SRVCS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $97,936 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| CHARITABLE UNION | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $96,014 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| UW OF ROME AND FLOYD | ROME, GA | $91,439 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| HEART OF WEST MI UW | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $90,438 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| THE TIDES CENTER | KALAMAZOO, MI | $90,000 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANT PAYMENT-KALAMAZOO COUNTY CVI |
| DOUGLAS COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $81,304 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| LEGAL AID OF WESTERN MICHIGAN-KZ | KALAMAZOO, MI | $79,578 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| EL CONCILIOHISPANIC AMERICAN COUNCIL | KALAMAZOO, MI | $79,578 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| CC DIOCESE OF KZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $79,578 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| UNITED WAY OF GREATER KANSAS CITY | KANSAS CITY, MO | $76,054 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| SAFE PLACE | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $75,851 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $75,045 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| NO KID HUNGRY BY SOS | WASHINGTON, DC | $71,930 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| BURMESE AMERICAN INITIATIVE (BURMA CENTER) | SPRINGFIELD, MI | $70,416 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANT, DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| SHARE CENTER | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $69,260 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| WASHINGTON HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $68,968 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| MRC INDUSTRIES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $67,253 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| MILK LIKE MINE MICHIGAN BREASTFEEDING NETWORK | LANSING, MI | $63,663 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| KALAMAZOO NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING SERVICES INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $63,663 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| NEW LEVEL SPORTS MINISTRIES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $63,613 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| KZOO COUNTY READY 4S | KALAMAZOO, MI | $61,619 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| COOL PEOPLE COMMUNITY SAVERS | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $60,828 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| COMMUNITY HEALING CENTERS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $59,188 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT, DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| COMMUNITY HOMEWORKS | KALAMAZOO, MI | $58,568 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| YOUNG KINGS AND QUEENS INC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $58,358 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| KALAMAZOO YOUTH DEVELOPMENT NETWORK | KALAMAZOO, MI | $58,358 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| GOODWILL INDUS SWMI | KALAMAZOO, MI | $57,095 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| BOYS & GIRLS CLUB OF GREATER KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $54,046 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT, DIRECT GRANT |
| COMM AIDS RES&EDU SVC | KALAMAZOO, MI | $53,279 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| LYCOMING COUNTY UW | WILLIAMSPORT, PA | $53,224 | 2026 | DESIGNATION PAYOUT |
| NEIGHBORHOODS INC | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| CATCHING THE DREAM LEARNING CENTER | SPRINGFIELD, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S HEARTLAND | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN URBAN LEAGUE | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| HOPE THRU NAVIGATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
| BLACK WALL STREET KALAMAZOO | KALAMAZOO, MI | $53,052 | 2026 | DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW |
COMMUNITY ACTION AGENCY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN
$128,381DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
DIGNITY IN MOTION
$125,162MINI-GRANT, NOT SURE-HOUSING UNHOUSED
FAMILY SERVICE & CHILDREN'S AID
$112,436DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
CHARITABLE UNION
$96,014DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
UW OF ROME AND FLOYD
$91,439DESIGNATION PAYOUT
THE TIDES CENTER
$90,000DIRECT GRANT PAYMENT-KALAMAZOO COUNTY CVI
DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
CC DIOCESE OF KZOO
$79,578DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
SAFE PLACE
$75,851DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES
$75,045DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
DIRECT GRANT, DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
SHARE CENTER
$69,260DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
WASHINGTON HEIGHTS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
$68,968DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
MRC INDUSTRIES INC
$67,253DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
NEW LEVEL SPORTS MINISTRIES
$63,613DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
YOUNG KINGS AND QUEENS INC
$58,358DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
COMM AIDS RES&EDU SVC
$53,279DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW, DESIGNATION PAYOUT
NEIGHBORHOODS INC
$53,052DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
CATCHING THE DREAM LEARNING CENTER
$53,052DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
GOODWILL INDUSTRIES OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN'S HEARTLAND
$53,052DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
HOPE THRU NAVIGATION
$53,052DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
BLACK WALL STREET KALAMAZOO
$53,052DIRECT GRANTS-ALLOCATION-HW
