United Way of South Central Michigan
United Way of South Central Michigan is a public charity based in Kalamazoo, Michigan. It brings together people, ideas, and resources to work with communities toward a flourishing, equitable life, with grantmaking and programs focused on reducing disparities and addressing community needs.
Key facts about United Way of South Central Michigan
In short: United Way of South Central Michigan gave $6.7M across 149 grants in 2025 (avg $45K), mostly in Michigan. 23% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- EIN
- 38-1359193
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025
- Annual giving (2025)
- $6,702,636
- Grants made (2025)
- 149
- Average grant
- $44,984
- Median grant
- $29,748
- New grantees (estimate)
- 23% first-time grantees (34 of 149, 2025)
- Total assets
- $32,958,772
- Primary geography
- Michigan (83% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing
Total Assets
$33.0M
+3.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$6.7M
-18.4% YoY
Grant Count
149
-20.7% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$45K
+2.9% YoY
Is United Way of South Central Michigan open to new grantees?
23%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 34 of 149 grantees (23%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $27K; repeat grants $50K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $35K repeat.
- 64% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (−15%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to bring together people, ideas, and resources to lead with communities and create a flourishing, equitable life for everyone. It says its work addresses racial and economic disparities, the needs of Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households, and opportunities for people to reach their full potential.
Its 2026–27 Community Impact Grants focus on financial hardship and people who have been historically oppressed and marginalized. The organization identifies healthy communities, financial security, youth opportunity, and community resiliency as priority areas. It seeks nonprofit partners addressing needs such as food, shelter, healthcare, transportation, childcare, housing, career opportunity, and youth development.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations supported. Gryphon Place says it helps people navigate conflict and crisis, foster resiliency, restore community, and support healing. South Michigan Food Bank says it works to feed hungry people and address basic human needs. Housing Resources Inc says it seeks to assure housing for socially and economically vulnerable Kalamazoo County residents. Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan says it helps people achieve and maintain independence.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 149 grants totaling $6,702,636. Grant amounts ranged from $5,129 to $332,133, with a median of $29,748. The largest reported grants included $332,133 to United Way of Metro Chicago for a designation payout; $330,226 to Gryphon Place for “Hands on Battle Creek”; and $185,438 to YWCA of Kalamazoo for designation payouts and direct grants. Other notable grants included $175,587 to Ministry with Community, $143,946 to Legal Services SCMI, and $135,616 to South Michigan Food Bank.
The website says the 2026–27 Community Impact Grants are closed to new applications and under review. Its grantmaking page lists a 2027–28 Kalamazoo County process focused on economic stability for ALICE households and Albion-Homer grants for nonprofits serving Albion, Homer, and/or Calhoun County. The website says Albion-Homer applications are due on the 15th of the month in February, May, August, and October. Its grant FAQ describes funding as generally allocated through an open application process involving Community Impact staff, local community volunteers, and a Community Leadership Council.
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of South Central Michigan
Seeding Grants
United Way of South Central Michigan
Amount
$60,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Seeding Leaders Grants
United Way of South Central Michigan
Amount
$2,500
Deadline
Deadline not published
Youth United Way RFP
United Way of South Central Michigan
Amount
Up to $6,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Ready to take the next step with United Way of South Central Michigan?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization’s 2026–27 Community Impact Grant invitation names Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, and Kalamazoo counties. Its 2025 filing reports that 83% of grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; other listed recipient states were Illinois (6%), North Carolina (2%), Tennessee (2%), and Georgia (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 149 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $6.1M (2023) to $8.8M (2021). In 2025 it made 149 grants totaling $6.7M.
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Uw of Metro Chicago ($332K). Together the top 10 received $1.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
779 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 490 grants of 779 (63%).
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Uw of Metro Chicago Chicago, IL | Designation Payout | $332,133 |
| Gryphon Place Kalamazoo, MI | Hands on Battle Creek | $330,226 |
| YWCA of Kalamazoo Kalamazoo, MI | Designation Payout, Direct Grants-Allocation-HW | $185,438 |
| Ministry with Community Kalamazoo, MI | Designation Payout, Direct Grants-Allocation-HW | $175,587 |
| Legal Services SCMI Battle Creek, MI | Direct Grants-Allocation-HW, Designation Payout | $143,946 |
| South Michigan Food Bank Battle Creek, MI | Direct Grants-Allocation-HW, Designation Payout | $135,616 |
| Housing Resources Inc Kalamazoo, MI | Direct Grants-Allocation-HW, Designation Payout | $132,345 |
| Community Action Agency of South Central Michigan Battle Creek, MI | Direct Grants-Allocation-HW | $128,381 |
| Dignity in Motion Kalamazoo, MI | Mini-Grant, Not Sure-Housing Unhoused | $125,162 |
| United Way of the Greater Triangle Durham, NC | Designation Payout | $123,450 |
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $32,958,772 | $23,255,845 | $22,214,606 | $6,702,636 |
| 2024 | $31,866,881 | $24,264,887 | $25,357,359 | $8,215,593 |
| 2023 | $32,086,707 | $20,048,813 | $20,749,685 | $6,136,459 |
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $32,958,772 | $31,866,881 | $32,086,707 |
| Revenue | $23,255,845 | $24,264,887 | $20,048,813 |
| Expenses | $22,214,606 | $25,357,359 | $20,749,685 |
| Net Investment Income | $473,727 | $465,036 | $353,486 |
Data update history
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 17, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS August 13, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS August 12, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS August 15, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS February 17, 2025)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS February 13, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Stephanie Slingerland as board chair, James Johnson Jr as immediate past chair, Carla Thompson Payton as first vice chair, Maureen Keene as second vice chair, Jamie Rabe as treasurer, and Unaa Holiness as secretary. It also lists Becky Baldwin, Derek Dobies, Jim Bongiorno, and Renee Brown as members.
United Way of South Central Michigan is led by Christipher Sargent, President & CEO on every filing since 2021; 3 of 26 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Christipher Sargent
President & CEO
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$178K (2021) → $188K (2025)
Stephanie Slingerland
Board Chair
Member → 2nd Vice Chair, 2024
2nd Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jennifer Hsu-Bishop
Chief Equity Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$114K (2024) → $129K (2025)
Teresa Kmetz
Chief Resource Development & Mktg Officer
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$121K (2024) → $127K (2025)
Becky Baldwin
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carla Thompson Payton
1st Vice Chair
Vice Chair → 2nd Vice Chair, 2023
2nd Vice Chair → 1st Vice Chair, 2024
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Marcus Glass
Member
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Todd McDonald
Member
Immediate Past Chair → Member -, 2021
Member - → Member, 2024
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ash Goel MD
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ashlee Willis
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Frantz
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Carrie Schneider
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Chris Tyler
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
James Johnson Jr.
Immediate Past Chair
Vice Chair → Board Chair, 2024
Board Chair → Immediate Past Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jamie Rabe
Treasurer
Member → Treasurer, 2024
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Jim Bongiorno
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Maureen Keene
2nd Vice Chair
Member → 2nd Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Mike Huerta
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Satya Veerapaneni
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ted Ykimoff
Member
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Unaa Holiness
Secretary
Member → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Andy Richards
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kimberly Carter
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lisa Garcia
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Renee Brown
Member
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Derek Dobies
Member
New on the 2025 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (39)
- Former: Gabriel Giron (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Rhonda Newman (2020–2024) — Member
- Former: Alyssa Stewart (2021–2024) — Chief Impact Officer
- Former: Conner Wood (2023–2024) — Secretary
- Former: Debra Bittner (2023–2024) — Member
- Former: Jeremy Patterson (2023–2024) — Member
- Former: L. Robert McConnell (2023–2024) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Shalanda Hunt (2023–2024) — Member
- Former: Timothy Bergsma (2023–2024) — CFO
- Former: Dylan Crotty (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: James Liggins Jr. (2020–2023) — Immediate Past Chair
- Former: Jonathan Byrd (2020–2023) — Member - Partial Year
- Former: Kay Keck (2020–2023) — Member
- Former: Casandra Watson (2023) — Member - Partial Year
- Former: Cheryl Ragland (2023) — Member
- Former: Colleen Sullivan (2023) — Member
- Former: Doug Scott (2023) — Member - Partial Year
- Former: Erik Decker (2023) — Treasurer
- Former: Lisa Webb Sharpe (2023) — Member
- Former: Luci Solis (2023) — Member
- Former: Rebecca Fleury (2023) — Member
- Former: Anmar Atchu (2020–2022) — Member -
- Former: Ashutosh Goel (2020–2022) — 2nd Vice Chair
- Former: Cameron Cummins (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Dave Karnes (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Heather Haydo (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Kevin Carson (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Lenzy Bell (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Rebecca Fluery (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Steve Powell (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Terrence Clare (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Tracy Miller (2020–2022) — Member
- Former: Kristen Devries (2021–2022) — Member
- Former: Robert Miller (2020–2021) — Member -
- Former: Cecily Cagle (2020) — Member -
- Former: Chris Sargent (2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Don Coppo (2020) — Member -
- Former: Scott Zondervan (2020) — Interim CFO -
- Former: Travis Cree (2020) — Member -
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $188K, to Christipher Sargent (President & CEO). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Contact
Mailing address: 709 S Westnedge Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007
Phone: (269) 343-2524
Website: https://unitedforscmi.org
Frequently asked questions about United Way of South Central Michigan
How much does United Way of South Central Michigan give each year?
United Way of South Central Michigan gave $6.7M across 149 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $8.2M across 188 grants.
What is United Way of South Central Michigan's typical grant size?
United Way of South Central Michigan's median grant in 2025 was $29,748, and its average grant was $44,984, across 149 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of South Central Michigan that year got $27K on average.
Where does United Way of South Central Michigan give grants?
United Way of South Central Michigan gives mostly in Michigan: 83% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Illinois (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Kalamazoo, MI (52 grants), Battle Creek, MI (25 grants), Lansing, MI (18 grants) and Jackson, MI (12 grants).
Does United Way of South Central Michigan give general operating support?
Not in 2025: none of the 149 grants with a stated purpose on United Way of South Central Michigan's 2025 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Designation Payout" (48 grants), "Direct Grants-Allocation-HW" (42 grants) and "Direct Grants-Allocation-HW, Designation Payout" (39 grants).
Who are United Way of South Central Michigan's largest grantees?
United Way of South Central Michigan's largest 2025 grantees include Uw of Metro Chicago ($332,133), Gryphon Place ($330,226) and YWCA of Kalamazoo ($185,438), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 13% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of South Central Michigan?
United Way of South Central Michigan reported $33.0M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $23.3M.
What does United Way of South Central Michigan fund?
The organization’s mission is to bring together people, ideas, and resources to lead with communities and create a flourishing, equitable life for everyone. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of South Central Michigan?
United Way of South Central Michigan has no public application process in the sources Grantable reviewed. Check unitedforscmi.org for current guidelines, or contact the foundation directly before submitting a request.
What is United Way of South Central Michigan's EIN?
United Way of South Central Michigan's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1359193. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
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