United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan is a public charity based in St. Joseph, Michigan. It serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties and supports local programs through grantmaking, fundraising, and volunteer engagement.
United Way of Southwest Michigan at a glance
In short: United Way of Southwest Michigan gave $1.5M across 46 grants in 2025 (avg $32K), mostly in Michigan. 2% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $1,492,158
- -42.7% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 46
- -2.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $32,438
- -41.4% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $23,874
- Total assets
- $3,619,438
- -22.1% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 2% first-time grantees (1 of 46, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (95% 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 United Way of Southwest Michigan
- How to Apply
-
The organization describes an application and review process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. The 2025–2026 cycle described in its May 2025 announcement was for current impact partners that had submitted a Letter of Intent.
- Contact
Mailing address: PO Box 288, St Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-1700
Website: https://uwsm.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Who United Way of Southwest Michigan funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Region IV Area Agency on Aging Inc ($131K). Together the top 10 received $705K.
Grant Size Distribution
223 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 155 grants of 223 (70%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The organization serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan. Its 2025 grants went primarily to Michigan recipients, with 5% of grant dollars going to Indiana recipients.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.
Cities
Is United Way of Southwest Michigan open to new grantees?
2%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 1 of 46 grantees (2%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $28K; repeat grants $33K. How we count
Medians: $28K first-time, $23K repeat.
- 93% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+3%). 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 $1.5M (2023) to $2.6M (2024). In 2025 it made 46 grants totaling $1.5M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Region IV Area Agency on Aging Inc St Joseph, MI | General Support | $131,085 |
| Berrien County Health Department Benton Harbor, MI | General Support | $95,723 |
| Salvation Army - Benton Harbor Benton Harbor, MI | General Support | $71,903 |
| YMCA of Southwest Michigan Niles, MI | General Support | $71,903 |
| Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor Benton Harbor, MI | General Support | $63,588 |
| The Avenue Family Network Benton Harbor, MI | General Support | $58,629 |
| Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan St Joseph, MI | General Support | $58,076 |
| Logan Community Resources South Bend, IN | General Support | $55,347 |
| Berrien County Cancer Service Stevensville, MI | General Support | $51,757 |
| Emergency Shelter Services Inc Benton Harbor, MI | General Support | $47,050 |
Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southwest Michigan?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
The filing reports 46 grants in 2025, 47 in 2024, and 45 in 2023.
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $3,619,438 | $3,489,465 | $3,863,357 | $1,492,158 | 46 | $142,013 |
| 2024 | $4,643,520 | $3,378,513 | $4,733,654 | $2,603,630 | 47 | $99,888 |
| 2023 | $5,843,901 | $4,202,935 | $5,461,986 | $1,450,250 | 45 | $46,206 |
| 2022 | $7,038,914 | $5,380,332 | $6,241,850 | $1,452,750 | 45 | $32,799 |
| 2021 | $8,104,242 | $5,166,820 | $5,381,082 | $2,400,700 | 40 | $38,269 |
| 2020 | $8,282,371 | $5,253,831 | $5,411,443 | $2,515,700 | 41 | $59,462 |
| 2019 | $8,411,658 | $5,410,262 | $5,102,417 | $2,271,033 | 40 | $82,198 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. Its 2025 filing identifies Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency as its investment areas. Its website describes a 2025–2028 Agenda for Change emphasizing equity and efforts to reduce the number of households living below the ALICE threshold.
Funding goes to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations through an application and review process. Examples of supported work include services for older adults, youth programs, family support, child abuse prevention and response, workforce development, emergency shelter, and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. These examples reflect grantees’ missions: Region IV Area Agency on Aging says it helps older people maintain independence; Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest says it works to help young people realize their potential; and Emergency Shelter Services says it provides emergency shelter and assistance to local families in Berrien County.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the organization reported 46 grants totaling $1,492,158. Grant amounts ranged from $5,531 to $131,085, with a median of $23,874. The largest grants included $131,085 to Region IV Area Agency on Aging, $95,723 to Berrien County Health Department, $71,903 each to Salvation Army – Benton Harbor and YMCA of Southwest Michigan, and $63,588 to Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor. The organization reported that 95% of 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan and 5% to recipients in Indiana.
The organization says it identifies local needs with community input, develops strategies, and measures results. Community review teams made up mostly of volunteers make funding decisions. Funded organizations agree to rules for use of program funds and must report on program impact; the organization says funded impact partners are reviewed often. In May 2025, it announced that its next funding cycle would run from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026, and that decisions for that cycle were made for current impact partners that had applied through the Letter of Intent process. That cycle is past. Separately, a February 2025 notice invited agencies in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to request Emergency Food and Shelter Program funds; its March 14, 2025 deadline is also past.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Tim Smith as board chair, Gokul Nair as vice chair, Ron Griesinger as treasurer, and Kirsten Hewitt as associate vice chair/secretary. It also lists Alexandra Newman, Maria Zavala, Nicole Britten, Soroya Pierre Vanartsen, Matthew McLaughlin, and Colleen Reinert as directors. A May 2025 funding-cycle announcement identifies Anna Murphy as president and CEO and Debbie Ramirez as senior director of impact and volunteer strategies.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is led by Anna Murphy, President on every filing since 2019; 1 of 18 officers listed in 2025 is compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Anna Murphy
President
On filings since 2019
50 hrs/week
$124K (2019) → $152K (2025)
Tim Smith
Board Chair
Director → Officer & Board Chair, 2024
Officer & Board Chair → Board Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Nicole Britten
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Susan Dobrich
Director
On filings since 2022
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Cory Shimulunas
Director
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexandra Newman
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Maria Zavala
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Matthew McLaughlin
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Soroya Pierre Vanartsen
Director
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Chris Williams
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Colleen Reinert
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
David Ravitch
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Dylan Binkley
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Thaddeus Hackworth
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tina Vaught
Director
New on the 2025 filing
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gokul Nair
Vice Chair
Director → Officer & Vice Chair, 2022
Officer & Vice Chair → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kirsten Hewitt
Associate Vice Chair & Secretary
Director → Officer & Associate Vice Chair, 2024
Officer & Associate Vice Chair → Associate Vice Chair & Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ron Griesinger
Treasurer
Officer & Treasurer → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2024
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (25)
- Former: Glenn Cowles (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Randy Hendrixson (2019–2024) — Director
- Former: Colleen Reinhart (2024) — Director
- Former: Emily Szymkiewicz (2019–2023) — Officer & Treasurer
- Former: Zack East (2019–2023) — Officer & Board Chair
- Former: Barbara Craig (2020–2023) — Director
- Former: Korey Thomas (2021–2023) — Director
- Former: Rachel Wade (2022–2023) — Employee
- Former: Anna Utley (2023) — Director
- Former: Soroya Pierre Vanarsten (2023) — Director
- Former: Christina Hardy (2019–2022) — Director
- Former: Susan Watts (2020–2022) — Director
- Former: April Lloyd (2022) — Director
- Former: James Petro (2019–2021) — Officer, Vice Chair & Acting
- Former: Matt Meier (2019–2021) — Director
- Former: Sunil Samtani (2020–2021) — Director
- Former: Brent Holcomb (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Hilda Banyon (2019–2020) — Director
- Former: Roxanne Warner (2020) — Director
- Former: Ann Cardon (2019) — Officer & Board Chair
- Former: Casey Tubman (2019) — Officer & Impact Cabinet Chair
- Former: Deb Bose (2019) — Director
- Former: Douglas Schaffer (2019) — Director
- Former: Kimberly Vincent (2019) — Director
- Former: Kirk Richardson (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 $152K, to Anna Murphy (President).
Frequently asked questions about United Way of Southwest Michigan
How much does United Way of Southwest Michigan give each year?
United Way of Southwest Michigan gave $1.5M across 46 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.6M across 47 grants.
What is United Way of Southwest Michigan's typical grant size?
United Way of Southwest Michigan's median grant in 2025 was $23,874, and its average grant was $32,438, across 46 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from United Way of Southwest Michigan that year got $28K on average.
Where does United Way of Southwest Michigan give grants?
United Way of Southwest Michigan gives mostly in Michigan: 95% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Indiana (5%). The most frequent recipient cities were Benton Harbor, MI (18 grants), St Joseph, MI (5 grants), Paw Paw, MI (4 grants) and Niles, MI (3 grants).
Does United Way of Southwest Michigan give general operating support?
Yes: 100% of United Way of Southwest Michigan's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (46 of 46) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990.
Who are United Way of Southwest Michigan's largest grantees?
United Way of Southwest Michigan's largest 2025 grantees include Region IV Area Agency on Aging Inc ($131,085), Berrien County Health Department ($95,723) and Salvation Army - Benton Harbor ($71,903), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 20% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is United Way of Southwest Michigan?
United Way of Southwest Michigan reported $3.6M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $3.5M.
What does United Way of Southwest Michigan fund?
The organization’s mission is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. Its 2025 filing identifies Financial Security, Healthy Community, Youth Opportunity, and Community Resiliency as its investment areas. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southwest Michigan?
The organization describes an application and review process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is United Way of Southwest Michigan's EIN?
United Way of Southwest Michigan's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-1358411. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2019–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 5, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 18, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 15, 2020)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 7, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Live grants for the work United Way of Southwest Michigan funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Southwest Michigan's focus areas in our free grants database
Similar Funders
Funders that support many of the same organizations
Berrien Community Foundation Inc
St Joseph, MI
The foundation funds nonprofits, schools, religious organizations, and government organizations serving Berrien County, with grants for areas including arts, education, health, the environment, and community needs. For Good Grants range up to $1,500 for Minor awards and $15,000 for Major awards; its 2025 grants had a median of $18,110. It accepts applications through its online process for For Good Grants, with two annual cycles.
Assets
$125.8M
Grants
201
Total Given
$9.2M
Corewell Health Group Return
Grand Rapids, MI
Corewell Health funds community health and wellness, including nutritious food, safe housing, mental health care, and access to care for underserved populations, as well as aligned community sponsorships. Its 2024 reported grants had a median of $20,000; listed programs offer awards from up to $20,000 to $150,000, primarily in Southwest Michigan and Kent County. The profile does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$6.8B
Grants
3
Total Given
$172K
The Pokagon Fund Inc
New Buffalo, MI
The Pokagon Fund supports charitable projects in areas such as arts, education, the environment, recreation, health, and human services, benefiting designated communities in southwest Michigan and communities in Indiana and Michigan near Pokagon Band trust-land sites. Its 2025 grants had a median of $3,500, though awards ranged from $72 to $300,000; the fund’s application information does not state whether it accepts unsolicited requests.
Assets
$8.5M
Grants
101
Total Given
$1.4M
The Marzke Family Foundation
St Joseph, MI
The Marzke Family Foundation supports local organizations working in areas such as trails, education, youth activities, and human services, primarily in the Greater St. Joseph and Benton Harbor, Michigan area. Its 2025 grants ranged from $200 to $10,000, with a median of $1,000. It accepts mailed application materials; no deadline is listed.
Assets
$1.4M
Grants
38
Total Given
$73K
Enterprise Holdings Foundation
Saint Louis, MO
The Enterprise Holdings Foundation supports charitable and educational nonprofits in communities where Enterprise Mobility operates, focusing on health, education, arts, and disaster relief; applicants must be actively supported by an Enterprise Mobility team member, spouse, or domestic partner. Giving varies widely: it reported 9,499 grants in 2024, but its 2025 filing showed one grant of $101.4 million, so that amount is not a typical award. Applications are accepted at any time through eligible Enterprise-affiliated applicants; the Foundation does not limit giving to preselected organizations.
Assets
$594.3M
Grants
1
Total Given
$101.4M
Michigan Health Endowment Fund
Brighton, MI
The Michigan Health Endowment Fund supports evidence-based work to improve Michigan residents’ health and wellness and reduce healthcare costs, with particular emphasis on children and older adults; projects must take place in Michigan. Its 2024 grants ranged from $10,000 to about $2.5 million, with a median award of $150,000. Application routes vary by program, and the profile does not state whether unsolicited requests are accepted.
Assets
$589.1M
Grants
148
Total Given
$36.0M
More similar funders
More Funders in Michigan
Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). United Way of Southwest Michigan funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 25, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southwest-michigan-morg_811c6860248147a79bcae1ef12e5a743
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_381358411_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{United Way of Southwest Michigan funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/united-way-of-southwest-michigan-morg_811c6860248147a79bcae1ef12e5a743},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-25. 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 United Way of Southwest Michigan'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.
United Way of Southwest Michigan down — hundreds of funders to go?