2025-26 COMMUNITY INVESTMENT
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
During FY25/26, we worked to make a significant impact in the community by distributing critical funding through a variety of programs and initiatives. Through matching grants, United Way maximized donor contributions, doubling the impact in areas of essential need. Community Investment grants supported nonprofit organizations working to improve education, health, and financial stability for local residents. United Way programming (such as Adopt-a-Family, Stuff the Bus, PITCH-ER THIS!, and the ALICE® Support Fund) offered vital support through different avenues. In addition, United Way helped provide Emergency Food & Shelter Program (EFSP) funding to ensure that families facing food insecurity and housing instability could access immediate support. Through sponsorships, United Way partnered with organizations and events dedicated to strengthening community connections and resources. These wide range of funding avenues demonstrates United Way’s commitment to lasting impact, reaching those who need it most and fueling programs that empower individuals and families across our region.
We also serve as a vehicle for charitable giving for those who live and work in mid-Michigan by providing an avenue for donor designated gifts to approved affiliate agency partners (see designations total below).
Allocations & Programs:
$556,355
Designations:
$524,485
Total Community Investment:
$1,080,840
Adopt-a-family
United Way Program | Holiday Support for Local Families: $11,006
ALICE® Support Fund
United Way Program | Rent/Utilities Assistance: $49,738.91
ALPHA FAMILY SERVICES
Matching Grant: $10,000
ART REACH OF MID MICHIGAN
Matching Grant: $10,000
Belding Food Pantry
MCC Hunger Games (Matching Grant): $200
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF THE GREAT LAKES BAY REGION
Community Investment Grant: $5,000
Carson City Community Food Pantry
MCC Hunger Games (Matching Grant): $200
CATCHAFIRE
Virtual Support Platform: $3,500
CENTRAL MICHIGAN YOUTH FOR CHRIST
Matching Grant: $15,000
CHILD ADVOCACY - GRATIOT COUNTY
Matching Grant: $10,000
Community Investment Grant: $15,000
COMMUNITY CANCER SERVICES of ISABELLA COUNTY
Matching Grant: $9,946
CLOTHING INC
Matching Grant: $15,000
DAY OF SERVICE
Food Boxes: $13,209
FRIENDS OF THE Alma Public Library
Matching Grant: $5,000
FRIENDS OF THE PINE RIVER
Matching Grant: $10,000
Event Sponsorship: $1,000
GRATIOT EMERGENCY HOUSING CORPORATION
Community Investment Grant: $10,000
GRATIOT-ISABELLA RESD
Community Investment Grant: $15,000
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY OF ISABELLA COUNTY
Matching Grant: $15,000
Community Investment Grant: $5,000
HAVE MERCY
Coins for a Cause (Matching Grant): $2,266.60
MCC Hunger Games (Matching Grant): $200
Hope Childcare Center
Community Investment Grant: $4,000
Hope Works Mid-Michigan (Formerly GRATIOT COUNTY HOPE HOUSE)
Community Investment Grant: $7,500
Coins for a Cause (Matching Grant): $11,891.22
Hope’s Food Pantry
MCC Hunger Games (Matching Grant): $200
HopeWell Ranch
Matching Grant: $10,000
ISABELLA COMMUNITY SOUP KITCHEN
Community Investment Grant: $9,000
Matching Grant: $10,000
ISABELLA COUNTY CHILD ADVOCACY CENTER
Community Investment Grant: $10,000
Matching Grant: $10,000
ISABELLA COUNTY RESTORATION HOUSE
Coins for a Cause (Matching Grant): $8,092.25
Community Investment Grant: $7,500
LISTENING EAR CRISIS CENTER
Community Investment Grant: $10,000
LifeClinic Community Resources - Mt. Pleasant
Matching Grant: $15,000
M-46 Tabernacle Family Ministries Food Pantry
MCC Hunger Games (Matching Grant): $200
Michigan Crossroads Council, Scouting America
Matching Grant: $5,825
MID MICHIGAN BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS
Community Investment Grant: $5,000
Matching Grant: $10,000
MID MICHIGAN INDUSTRIES (MMI)
Matching Grant: $5,000
Montcalm Area Intermediate School District (MAISD)
Great Start Collaborative Pre-School Matters Billboard: $600
Montcalm Commision on aging
Food Blessing Bags: $1,910.30
MT. PLEASANT DISCOVERY MUSEUM
Matching Grant: $15,000
OFFICE OF HUMAN SERVICES
Community Investment Grant: $2,500
PITCH-ER THIS! YOUTH VENTURE COMPETITION
United Way Program | Student Winners: $9,155
Pregnancy Services of Gratiot County
Matching Grant: $9,133
R.I.S.E. Advocacy
Matching Grant: $10,000
SLEEPY DOG BOOKS FOUNDATION
Matching Grant: $10,000
SPONSORSHIPS OF LOCAL CLUBS & ORGANIZATIONS
Various Sponsorships: $5,258.59
STUFF THE BUS
United Way Program | Sponsorships of Elementary Classrooms: $50,817.27
SUMMER ADVENTURE KITS
United Way Program | Literacy Kits for First Graders: $12,000
THE CARE STORE
Community Investment Grant: $4,000
Matching Grant: $15,000
WEST MIDLAND FAMILY CENTER (SHEPHERD PRESCHOOL)
Community Investment Grant: $7,500
WILLIAM & JANET STRICKLER NONPROFIT CENTER
Matching Grant: $10,000
WOMEN’S RESOURCE CENTER
Matching Grant: $5,000
2-1-1 INFORMATION & REFERRAL LINE
Gratiot County: $6,300
Isabella County: $10,800
Montcalm/Ionia Counties: $13,406