Barry County United Way
Barry County United Way is a public charity based in Hastings, Michigan, formed in 1936. It supports programs and services for Barry County residents and reports funding local programs, providing direct assistance, and partnering with businesses and nonprofits on community services.
Barry County United Way at a glance
In short: Barry County United Way gave $457K across 12 grants in 2025 (avg $38K), mostly in Michigan. 8% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $457,363
- -10.3% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 12
- -7.7% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $38,114
- -2.8% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $40,000
- Total assets
- $2,636,259
- +14.0% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 8% first-time grantees (1 of 12, 2025; small sample)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (91% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated September 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Barry County United Way
- How to Apply
-
The website lists a 2026 Allocations Application; detailed current application instructions are not provided.
- Contact
Mailing address: 231 S Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058
Phone: (269) 945-4010
Website: https://bcunitedway.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who Barry County United Way funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was YMCA of Barry County ($80K). Together the top 10 received $437K.
Grant Size Distribution
62 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 43 grants of 62 (69%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization describes its work as serving Barry County communities and residents. In its 2025 grants, 91% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; the filing identifies the state for the remaining 9% as unknown.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 12 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Barry County United Way open to new grantees?
8%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 12 grantees (8%) were first-time recipients. With only 12 grantees, that is a small sample: one grantee more or less moves the share by about 8 points. First grants averaged $11K; repeat grants $41K. How we count
Medians: $11K first-time, $40K repeat.
- 92% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+8%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2019–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2019 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $422K (2022) to $644K (2021). In 2025 it made 12 grants totaling $457K.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| YMCA of Barry County Hastings, MI | Youth Rec Activities | $80,360 |
| Commission on Aging Hastings, MI | In Home Services | $72,750 |
| Family Support Center Hastings, MI | Education & Bedding | $55,549 |
| Green Gables Hastings, MI | Operating Exxpenses | $49,750 |
| Grants to Organization 5000 | Program Support | $41,354 |
| 4-HMSU Extension Hastings, MI | Youth 4-H Activities | $40,000 |
| Habitat for Humanity Hastings, MI | Construction Material | $40,000 |
| Fresh Food Initiative Hastings, MI | Program Support | $26,180 |
| Barry County Substance Abuse & Mental Health Hastings, MI | Education | $20,000 |
| United Way of America Hastings, MI | Program Support | $11,060 |
Ready to take the next step with Barry County United Way?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $2,636,259 | $1,750,458 | $1,349,664 | $457,363 | 12 | $58,127 |
| 2024 | $2,313,243 | $1,354,122 | $1,264,100 | $509,961 | 13 | $54,526 |
| 2023 | $2,119,613 | $1,581,611 | $1,551,250 | $447,377 | 11 | $4,324 |
| 2022 | $2,092,012 | $2,957,984 | $2,399,316 | $422,417 | 14 | $4,549 |
| 2021 | $1,534,707 | $1,492,517 | $1,242,387 | $643,654 | 12 | $12,567 |
| 2020 | $1,304,420 | $1,085,806 | $1,034,558 | $462,025 | 13 | $11,963 |
| 2019 | $1,210,929 | $1,146,191 | $1,031,288 | $481,801 | 13 | $5,212 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s stated mission is “improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of Barry County communities.” Its 2024 filing describes four funding areas: helping youth achieve their full potential; addressing urgent and emerging needs; supporting families to achieve well-being and success; and assisting older adults to find support and maintain independence.
The website lists programs including a backpack program, a Fresh Food Initiative in Hastings, housing assistance, employment assistance, medical needs, and homeless prevention and emergency assistance. In its account of the 2023/2024 fiscal year, the organization said it funded 34 programs accessed more than 68,000 times by Barry County residents. It also reported direct assistance through housing and utility state grants and the Veterans Affairs office.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, Barry County United Way reported 12 grants totaling $457,363. Grant amounts ranged from $10,000 to $80,360, with a median of $40,000. The largest awards included $80,360 to YMCA of Barry County for youth recreation activities; $72,750 to Commission on Aging for in-home services; $55,549 to Family Support Center for education and bedding; and $49,750 to Green Gables for operating expenses. Other awards included $40,000 to 4-H/MSU Extension for youth 4-H activities and $40,000 to Habitat for Humanity for construction materials.
The website lists a 2026 Allocations Application, but does not provide current submission instructions in the available information. An October 2019 notice described an allocations process in which a committee of community peers reviewed applications and annual budgets; that notice’s December 5, 2019 deadline has passed. A separate emergency food funding opportunity announced in October 2025 offered grants of up to $10,000 to eligible nonprofits serving Barry County residents. That announcement tied the opportunity to a SNAP benefit pause and said applications could be submitted until benefits were restored; it does not establish that the opportunity remains open.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists these directors: Dale Boulter, Michael Brown, Patrick Buckland, Deb Button, Amy Byers, Cort Collison, Michelle Duits, Catherine Getty, Jan Hartough, and David Hatfield. The organization’s October 2025 emergency food funding announcement identifies Lani Forbes as executive director.
Barry County United Way is led by Lani Forbes, Executive Director since 2025 (on filings since 2022); 1 of 33 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lani Forbes
Executive Director
Executive Di → Executive Director, 2025
On filings since 2022
40 hrs/week
$101K (2022) → $130K (2025)
Rich Franklin
President
Director → President, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carl Schoessel
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Wilgus
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cort Collison
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dale Boulter
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Hatfield
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Deb Button
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jan Hartough
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jeff Helmus
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Linda Watson
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Lynn McConnell
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mark Kolanowski
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michael Brown
Director
President → Director, 2020
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Duits
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Schipper
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patrick Buckland
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Patty Woods
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Rebecka Tagg
Director
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tammy Pennington
Director
Secretary → Director, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Amy Byers
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Justin Peck
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matt Palmer
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Sara Price
Director
On filings since 2020
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Catherine Getty
Director
On filings since 2022
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Bernie Jore
Director
On filings since 2023
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Craig Stolsonburg
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Eric Steindler
Director
On filings since 2024
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennie Yonker
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maddie Cove
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Renee Beauford
Director
New on the 2025 filing
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Brian McKeown
Past President
Vice President → President, 2024
President → Past President, 2025
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dave Dehaan
Treasurer
On filings since 2019
0.3 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (14)
- Former: Jenny Yonker (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Bill Rohr (2019–2023) — Director
- Former: Matt Goebel (2019–2023) — President
- Former: Emily Wasolaskus (2023) — Director
- Former: Herman Lartigue (2023) — Director
- Former: Dick Groos (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Joe Babiak (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Cindy Horton (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Keith Murphy (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Peg Newton (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Chris Fluke (2019) — Director
- Former: Rob Longstreet (2019) — Director
- Former: Sheryl Lewis-Blake (2019) — Director
- Former: Tom Enslen (2019) — Director
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2019–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $130K, to Lani Forbes (Executive Director).
Frequently asked questions about Barry County United Way
How much does Barry County United Way give each year?
Barry County United Way gave $457K across 12 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $510K across 13 grants.
What is Barry County United Way's typical grant size?
Barry County United Way's median grant in 2025 was $40,000, and its average grant was $38,114, across 12 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Barry County United Way that year got $11K on average.
Where does Barry County United Way give grants?
Barry County United Way gives mostly in Michigan: 91% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Hastings, MI (9 grants).
Does Barry County United Way give general operating support?
Occasionally: 8% of Barry County United Way's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (1 of 12) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Program Support" (3 grants).
Who are Barry County United Way's largest grantees?
Barry County United Way's largest 2025 grantees include YMCA of Barry County ($80,360), Commission on Aging ($72,750) and Family Support Center ($55,549), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 46% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Barry County United Way?
Barry County United Way reported $2.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $1.8M.
What does Barry County United Way fund?
The organization’s stated mission is “improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of Barry County communities.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Barry County United Way?
The website lists a 2026 Allocations Application; detailed current application instructions are not provided. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Barry County United Way's EIN?
Barry County United Way's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6062803. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated September 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS January 8, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS December 29, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS January 10, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 7, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 20, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 6, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS January 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2019–2025
Live grants for the work Barry County United Way funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
- Nixa Affiliate Grantmaking Program Up to US $10,000 · Due October 19, 2026
- Community and School Grants $28,000 total pool; 10-15 grants expected · Due October 19, 2026
- Mary Pinola/Crescenta Valley Chamber Education Fund $500 - $5,000 for ongoing programs; up to $15,000 for Strategic Initiative Grants · Due October 19, 2026
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Barry County United Way's focus areas in our free grants database
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Figures come from Barry County United Way's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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