Heart of West Michigan United Way
Heart of West Michigan United Way is a public charity based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Founded in 1917, it works across Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties to unite community resources and invest in solutions to reduce poverty in West Michigan.
Heart of West Michigan United Way at a glance
In short: Heart of West Michigan United Way gave $5.2M across 118 grants in 2025 (avg $44K), mostly in Michigan. 36% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,191,800
- +7.1% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 118
- +20.4% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $43,998
- -11.0% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $20,000
- Total assets
- $33,715,985
- -0.5% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 36% first-time grantees (42 of 118, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (100% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Heart of West Michigan United Way
- How to Apply
-
The 2026–2029 application cycle is past. For that cycle, organizations had to complete pre-qualification by September 8, 2025, to access the application; applications were due October 3, 2025. The process was open to nonprofit organizations in Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties, including current and new partners. Collaborative applications were encouraged, and agencies could submit up to two applications. Faith-based organizations could apply if they did not proselytize or require clients to adhere to particular beliefs. The stated minimum request was $10,000 annually per application, with no required maximum. The process included community-panel review, and selected programs were to receive three-year investments.
- Review Cycle
- October 3, 2025, for the past 2026–2029 application cycle.
- Deadline
- October 3, 2025, for the past 2026–2029 application cycle.
- Contact
Mailing address: 118 Commerce Avenue Sw Suite 100, Grand Rapids, MI 49503-4106
Phone: (616) 459-6281
Website: https://hwmuw.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
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
Deadline not published
United Response Fund
Heart of West Michigan United Way
Amount
Varied (over $65,000 raised with 22 programs funded)
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Heart of West Michigan United Way funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Salvation Army Kent County ($727K). Together the top 10 received $2.2M.
Grant Size Distribution
479 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 321 grants of 479 (67%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties in Michigan. Its 2024 filing describes community investment funds for nonprofit providers delivering direct services in Kent County, while its website describes the 2026–2029 investment cycle as a unified approach across all three counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 118 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Heart of West Michigan United Way open to new grantees?
36%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 42 of 118 grantees (36%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $32K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $12K first-time, $33K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). 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 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $4.6M (2023) to $8.2M (2021). In 2025 it made 118 grants totaling $5.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Salvation Army Kent County Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation/Pass-Thru | $726,531 |
| Health Net of West Michigan Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Pass-Thru | $345,368 |
| Iccf Community Homes Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation/Pass-Thru | $226,379 |
| Mel Trotter Ministries Grand Rapids, MI | Designation/Pass-Thru | $164,507 |
| New City Kids Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation/Pass-Thru | $137,222 |
| West Michigan Center for Arts and Technology Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation | $129,246 |
| Family Promise of West Michigan Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation | $126,689 |
| AYA Youth Collective Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation | $123,376 |
| STEM Greenhouse Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation | $112,200 |
| Our Hope Associaton Grand Rapids, MI | Allocation/Designation | $109,579 |
Ready to take the next step with Heart of West Michigan United Way?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $33,715,985 | $12,930,042 | $14,213,732 | $5,191,800 | 118 | $1,151,314 |
| 2024 | $33,875,774 | $13,229,039 | $13,228,065 | $4,847,218 | 98 | $603,668 |
| 2023 | $30,271,756 | $20,712,477 | $18,962,532 | $4,639,788 | 80 | $725,263 |
| 2022 | $33,929,267 | $56,856,308 | $56,484,183 | $8,081,057 | 89 | $1,243,663 |
| 2021 | $38,146,570 | $24,283,478 | $22,152,179 | $8,209,581 | 94 | $1,189,330 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan. Its four impact areas are Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency. The 2026–2029 Community Investment Process focuses on the first three; the application materials state that Community Resiliency programming is not being accepted through that process.
The funder supports local nonprofit programs and partnerships. Examples among its 2025 grantees include Health Net of West Michigan, whose mission is to improve health for children and adults, particularly vulnerable populations; ICCF Community Homes, whose mission is “Equitable opportunity. Affordable homes. Thriving neighborhoods”; and Mel Trotter Ministries, which describes its mission as providing rescue and restoration for people experiencing hunger and homelessness. Other grantees include youth-focused organizations such as New City Kids, which describes its work as supporting academic, leadership, musical, and spiritual development.
Grantmaking
The 2025 filing lists 118 grants totaling $5,191,800. Grant amounts ranged from $5,217 to $726,531, with a median of $20,000. All listed grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan. Grant purposes include allocations, designations, and pass-through funding.
The largest listed 2025 grants included $726,531 to Salvation Army Kent County, $345,368 to Health Net of West Michigan, $226,379 to ICCF Community Homes, $164,507 to Mel Trotter Ministries, and $137,222 to New City Kids. The filing describes the purposes of these awards as allocations, designations, and/or pass-through funding.
Separately, the organization’s website reports that its 2026–2029 investment decisions include multi-year grants to 58 nonprofit programs and one-time strategic awards to 15 additional organizations. The website describes the cycle as a competitive, three-year investment process with annual reviews.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michelle Vandyke as President/CEO; Gwen Sandefur as Board Chair; Terry Lenhardt as Secretary/Treasurer; Ryan McLean as Vice Chair/Board Chair; and Mike Hollander as Vice Chair. It also lists Charisse Mitchell, Cheryl Wolfe, Daric Morell, Dondrea Brown, and Douglas Young as members.
Heart of West Michigan United Way is led by Michelle Vandyke, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 4 of 31 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Michelle Vandyke
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$258K (2021) → $262K (2025)
Gwen Sandefur
Board Chair
Board Member → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2023
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ryan McLean
Vice Chair & Board Chair
Member → Vice Chair, 2023
Vice Chair → Vice Chair & Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gail Montgomery
CFO
Vice President of Finance & CFO → Vice President-Finance, 2022
Vice President-Finance → CFO, 2025
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$122K (2021) → $132K (2025)
Rebecca Postma
Chief Impact Officer
Chief Administrative Officer → Chief Impact Officer, 2025
On filings since 2021
50 hrs/week
$115K (2021) → $145K (2025)
Kevin Myers
Chief Resource Officer
Vice President-Donor Strategy → Vice President of Donor Relations, 2024
Vice President of Donor Relations → Chief Resource Officer, 2025
On filings since 2023
50 hrs/week
$104K (2023) → $123K (2025)
Jamykal Badger
Member
Board Member → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Juan Salazar
Member
Board Member → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ovell Barbee
Member
Board Chair → Member -, 2022
Member - → Member, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Shauna Bagin
Member
Board Member → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Teresa Hendricks
Member
Board Member → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Terry Lenhardt
Secretary, Treasurer & Member -
Board Chair → Member, 2022
Member → Secretary, Treasurer & Member -, 2025
On filings since 2021
4 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tim Duflo
Member
Board Chair → Member, 2022
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Cheryl Wolfe
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Douglas Young
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Jordan
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Leadriane Roby
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Mike Hollander
Vice Chair & Member -
Member → Vice Chair & Member -, 2025
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Salvador Lopez
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tracey Fountain
Member
On filings since 2022
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jen Garcia
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyndsie Post
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Max Bissell
Member -
Member → Member -, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ray Hancart
Member -
Member → Member -, 2025
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Charisse Mitchell
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daric Morell
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Dondrea Brown
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Janet Torres
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Katherine Hubbard
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Max Rispler
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Nate Phillips
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Greg Hahn (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Kris Kurtz (2021–2024) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Michael Bohnsak (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Shannon Blackmon-Gardner (2021–2024) — Vice President-Community Impact
- Former: Tim Williams (2021–2024) — Member
- Former: Brendan Hoffman (2022–2024) — Member
- Former: Bill Pink (2021–2023) — Former Board Chair
- Former: Yvonne Trupiano (2021–2022) — Member -
- Former: Doug Young (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Jamie Mills (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Khumbo Croft (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Mary Command (2021) — Secretary & Treasurer
- Former: Mary Hannon (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Renwick Brutus (2021) — Board Member
- Former: Robert Kaminski (2021) — Board Chair
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "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 $262K, to Michelle Vandyke (President/CEO). 4 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Heart of West Michigan United Way
How much does Heart of West Michigan United Way give each year?
Heart of West Michigan United Way gave $5.2M across 118 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $4.8M across 98 grants.
What is Heart of West Michigan United Way's typical grant size?
Heart of West Michigan United Way's median grant in 2025 was $20,000, and its average grant was $43,998, across 118 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Heart of West Michigan United Way that year got $32K on average.
Where does Heart of West Michigan United Way give grants?
Heart of West Michigan United Way gives mostly in Michigan: 100% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Grand Rapids, MI (73 grants), Holland, MI (11 grants), Kentwood, MI (4 grants) and Muskegon, MI (3 grants).
Does Heart of West Michigan United Way give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 118 grants with a stated purpose on Heart of West Michigan United Way's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Allocation/Designation" (46 grants), "Allocation" (27 grants) and "Designation" (24 grants).
Who are Heart of West Michigan United Way's largest grantees?
Heart of West Michigan United Way's largest 2025 grantees include Salvation Army Kent County ($726,531), Health Net of West Michigan ($345,368) and Iccf Community Homes ($226,379), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 25% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Heart of West Michigan United Way?
Heart of West Michigan United Way reported $33.7M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.9M.
What does Heart of West Michigan United Way fund?
The organization’s mission is to unite community resources to invest in solutions that reduce poverty in West Michigan. Its four impact areas are Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Heart of West Michigan United Way?
The 2026–2029 application cycle is past. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Heart of West Michigan United Way's EIN?
Heart of West Michigan United Way's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1360923. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS November 3, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 11, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS November 7, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 7, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS November 3, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Heart of West Michigan United Way's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Heart of West Michigan United Way funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 10, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/heart-of-west-michigan-united-way-morg_87b44776d1304647a628544593d8f21b
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_381360923_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Heart of West Michigan United Way funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/heart-of-west-michigan-united-way-morg_87b44776d1304647a628544593d8f21b},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-10. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Heart of West Michigan 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.
Heart of West Michigan United Way down — hundreds of funders to go?