United Way of Southwest Michigan Announces 2025-2028 “Agenda for Change” to Guide Community Impact Partners In Their Work
United Way of Southwest Michigan is excited to announce the launch of our 2025-2028 Community Impact Agenda for Change, which represents a significant step forward in our mission to build stronger, more resilient communities across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. This agenda is not just a continuation of our past efforts, but a bold, refreshed approach that reflects the evolving needs of our communities and aligns with the latest strategies from our global partners at United Way Worldwide.
One of the most notable aspects of this new agenda is our intensified focus on equity. We are prioritizing programs and projects that directly tackle disparities because we recognize that not everyone in our community starts from the same place. This commitment to equity is woven into every part of our strategy, ensuring that we are truly making a difference where it's needed most.
At the heart of our work is the ALICE population—those who are Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. These are our neighbors who are working hard but still struggling to make ends meet. Our goal over the next three years is to significantly reduce the number of households living below the ALICE threshold. By centering our efforts on this vulnerable population, we believe we can create lasting change that lifts up our entire community.
To achieve this, we’ve identified four key impact areas where our investments will be focused:
Healthy Community: We're committed to improving health and well-being for everyone. By supporting initiatives that prioritize physical and mental health, address food insecurity, and support vulnerable households, we can enhance long-term financial stability by fostering healthier, more productive populations. Healthier communities lead to lower healthcare costs and higher productivity, benefiting everyone.
Financial Security: Building financial stability and strength is crucial, especially for those living below the ALICE threshold. By investing in workforce development, financial education, affordable housing, and emergency assistance, we aim to create pathways out of poverty and ensure that more families can achieve financial stability.
Youth Opportunity: Helping young people realize their full potential is key to their future—and ours. By investing in education, particularly for students below the ALICE threshold, we can ensure that more children are reading at grade level by third grade, graduating from high school, and preparing for successful futures.
Community Resiliency: Addressing urgent needs today and advancing a better tomorrow is essential for safeguarding our communities. By supporting crisis response services, disaster relief, and recovery projects, we help ensure that our community is prepared for and can recover from unexpected challenges.
Nonprofit organizations serving Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties can apply for funding through two main streams:
Change Lives: For programs that create change at the individual level, such as improving health, boosting financial stability, or supporting youth education.
Build Stronger Communities: For projects that focus on broader, systemic changes, such as policy advocacy, capacity building, or strengthening community resilience.
All the details, timelines for application, and eligibility criteria are available on our website at uwsm.org/agenda-process. All funding requests will be due December 13, 2024; Funding decisions will be announced April 1, 2025, and funding begins July 1, 2025.
If you’re unsure whether your program is the right fit or which funding stream to apply for, our Impact Strategies department is available to guide you through the process.
“Our new agenda is about getting back to basics with the people we serve. We’re not just funding programs—we’re building the future of our communities,” said Anna Murphy, CEO of United Way of Southwest Michigan. “We want to make sure everyone has the chance to thrive, and by focusing on those who need it most, we’re setting the stage for real change.”
Copies of the Agenda for Change, as well as supporting documents, data, and more, can be found at uwsm.org/agenda.
About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to sustain a united community where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocacy, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org.
