United Way of Southwest Michigan works in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to Create a united & Resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives.
OUR MISSION
To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good.
OUR VALUES
Community-Focused
Impactful
Responsive
Connected
Results-Oriented Stewards
What does United Way do?
In basic, United Way works in hundreds of regions across the nation, and the world, to serve their local communities. We do this by setting an Impact Agenda for Change, focused on the ALICE population and impact areas of local and worldwide importance. Then, we ask area non-profits to apply for funding to apply toward their work in our impact areas, keeping funds right here in our community so impact can stay in our community. We also hold organizations accountable to their work by analyzing their progress toward success, their use of funds, and their impact made.
WHO WE SERVE
United Way of Southwest Michigan focuses our local impact work on the ALICE population. ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) may be a relative or friend. You may be ALICE. As cashiers, waiters, child care providers, and other members of our essential workforce, ALICE earns just above the Federal Poverty Level but less than what it costs to make ends meet. These struggling households are forced to make impossible choices each day. While such hardship is pervasive, households of color are disproportionately ALICE. Most ALICE households are one crisis or life-changing event away from poverty. We work to affect the ALICE designation numbers every year with our Worldwide and Statewide partners.
ABOUT US
United Way of Southwest Michigan has served the area since 1943 and is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed organizations that work to create lasting positive changes in communities and people’s lives. Building on more than a century of service as the nation’s preeminent community-based fundraiser, United Way engages the community to identify the underlying causes of the most significant local issues, develops strategies and pulls together financial and human resources to address them, and measures the results.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is fully accredited by United Way Worldwide, passing annual requirements. The certification mandates completion of 13 requirements for United Way membership along with verification of the status of 40 indicators that demonstrate United Way embodies the intent of the membership requirements.
United Way Worldwide: http://www.unitedway.org/
GENERAL RESOURCES
United We Thrive (Annual Report, Impact Report, Book of Leaders)
