Heart of West Michigan United Way
Heart of West Michigan United Way is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Established in 1917, the organization operates as a federated fund and public charity dedicated to reducing poverty in West Michigan through community resource mobilization and strategic investments in local solutions.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$33.7M
-0.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$5.1M
+5.7% YoY
Grant Count
114
+16.3% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
-9.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan, with a vision of a thriving community for all.
Core Approach: The organization reduces the burdens of poverty by intervening in crisis, mobilizing communities to action, and empowering people to build toward self-sufficiency.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Family stability
- Youth opportunity
- Financial security
- Community resiliency
Grantmaking
Heart of West Michigan United Way distributes community investment funds to nonprofit providers delivering direct services in Kent County.
Ready to take the next step with Heart of West Michigan United Way?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
West Michigan, with primary focus on Kent County.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Fiscal Year (2025):
- Total Revenue: $12,930,042
- Total Expenses: $14,213,732
- Total Assets: $33,715,985
Staff: 84 employees
Tax Status: Tax-exempt since December 1961; EIN 38-1360923
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $33,715,985 | $33,875,774 | $30,271,756 |
| Revenue | $12,930,042 | $13,229,039 | $20,712,477 |
| Expenses | $14,213,732 | $13,228,065 | $18,962,532 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,151,314 | $603,668 | $725,263 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
250 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Heart of West Michigan United Way
Emerging Leaders United Microgrant Fund
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY
Amount
Approximately $3,000-$5,000 per award (based on historical data showing $30,000+ distributed to 8 nonprofits over 5 years)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
United Response Fund
HEART OF WEST MICHIGAN UNITED WAY
Amount
Varied (over $65,000 raised with 22 programs funded)
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
Key Executives:
- Jane Royer, Volunteer Center Director
- Heather Hutchison, Marketing Director
- Kevin Myers, Chief Resource Officer
- Becki Postma, Chief Impact Officer
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHELLE VANDYKE | PRESIDENT/CEO | 50 | $262,243 |
| GWEN SANDEFUR | BOARD CHAIR | 4 | — |
| TERRY LENHARDT | SECRETARY/TREASURER | 4 | — |
| RYAN MCLEAN | VICE CHAIR/BOARD CHAIR | 4 | — |
| MIKE HOLLANDER | VICE CHAIR | 1 | — |
| CHARISSE MITCHELL | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| CHERYL WOLFE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DARIC MORELL | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DONDREA BROWN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| DOUGLAS YOUNG | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JAMYKAL BADGER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JANET TORRES | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JEN GARCIA | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JENNIFER JORDAN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| JUAN SALAZAR | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| KATHERINE HUBBARD | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LEADRIANE ROBY | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| LYNDSIE POST | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| MAX RISPLER | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| NATE PHILLIPS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| OVELL BARBEE | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SALVADOR LOPEZ | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| SHAUNA BAGIN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TERESA HENDRICKS | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TIM DUFLO | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TRACEY FOUNTAIN | MEMBER | 1 | — |
| TERRY LENHARDT | MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| MIKE HOLLANDER | MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| MAX BISSELL | MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| RAY HANCART | MEMBER - PART YEAR | 1 | — |
| GAIL MONTGOMERY | CFO | 50 | $132,186 |
| REBECCA POSTMA | CHIEF IMPACT OFFICER | 50 | $144,722 |
| KEVIN MYERS | CHIEF RESOURCE OFFICER | 50 | $123,159 |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
Grand Rapids Community College received a grant from Heart of West Michigan United Way to help students struggling with food insecurity
Shining a Light on Community Champions \u2014 Heart of West Michigan United\The organization announced 2023-2026 Community Grant Fund recipients
Local United Way announces 2023-2026 Community Grant Fund recipients | NewsradioHeart of West Michigan United Way received $100,000 toward rent relief
Shining a Light on Community Champions \u2014 Heart of West Michigan United\The organization funded an initiative supporting local, minority-owned nonprofits
Heart of West Michigan United Way funds initiative for local, minority-ownedContact Information
Address: 118 Commerce Ave SW Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4106
Phone: (616) 459-6281
Email: communications@hwmuw.org
Website: www.hwmuw.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Kadant Johnson Inc Scholarship Foun
THREE RIVERS, MI
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$5K
Thomas W Itin Charitable Trust
KEEGO HARBOR, MI
Assets
—
Grants
11
Total Given
$4K
Robert a Leonard Jr Charitable Trus
SOUTHFIELD, MI
Assets
—
Grants
2
Total Given
$11K
Homer Youth Athletic Association
TEKONSHA, MI
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Dr Shanti Swarup & Mrs Chawla Devi
TROY, MI
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$3K
Bojrab Family Foundation
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Assets
$185K
Grants
9
Total Given
$27K
Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Heart of West Michigan United Way on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities