United Way of Southwest Michigan logo

United Way of Southwest Michigan

Public charity · Grantmaker St Joseph, MI EIN: 38-1358411 Website

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.

Key facts about United Way of Southwest Michigan

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.

EIN
38-1358411
Latest 990 filing
Form 990, 2025
Annual giving (2025)
$1,492,158
Grants made (2025)
46
Average grant
$32,438
Median grant
$23,874
New grantees (estimate)
2% first-time grantees (1 of 46, 2025)
Total assets
$3,619,438
Primary geography
Michigan (95% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
How to apply
The organization describes an application and review process for eligible 501(c)(3) organizations. Full details ↓

Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology). Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.

Financial Overview

From 2025 IRS Form 990 · View filing

Total Assets

$3.6M

-22.1% YoY

Annual Giving

$1.5M

-42.7% YoY

Grant Count

46

-2.1% YoY

Avg Grant Size

$32K

-41.4% YoY

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.

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.

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.

Your AI grants department

Ready to take the next step with United Way of Southwest Michigan?

Fully replaces Grant database subscriptions Instrumentl · Foundation Directory · GrantStation & similar

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

2states

Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 46 itemized grants.

Cities

Benton HarborSt JosephPaw PawNilesCassopolisStevensvilleBerrien SpringsComstock ParkDowagiacFort WayneKalamazooNotre DameSouth BendHartfordThree RiversAlleganSouth HavenUnion PierProvince

Giving Over Time

Total grant dollars and number of grants per year

$0$1M$2M$3M40 grants2019 41 grants2020 40 grants2021 45 grants2022 45 grants2023 47 grants2024 46 grants2025

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.

Grant Insights

How this funder distributes its grants

Top Recipients

Top 10 recipients in 2025

Region IV Area Agency on Aging Inc: $131KRegion IV Area Agency on AgingInc$131KBerrien County Health Department: $96KBerrien County HealthDepartment$96KSalvation Army - Benton Harbor: $72KSalvation Army - Benton Harbor$72KYMCA of Southwest Michigan: $72KYMCA of Southwest Michigan$72KBoys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor: $64KBoys and Girls Club of BentonHarbor$64KThe Avenue Family Network: $59KThe Avenue Family Network$59KChildren's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan: $58KChildren's Advocacy Center ofSouthwest Michigan$58KLogan Community Resources: $55KLogan Community Resources$55KBerrien County Cancer Service: $52KBerrien County Cancer Service$52KEmergency Shelter Services Inc: $47KEmergency Shelter Services Inc$47K

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

155<$50K52$50–100K16$100–250K$250–500K$500K–1M$1–5M$5M+

The most common grant size was under $50K: 155 grants of 223 (70%).

Giving History

Grant recipients and amounts by year

RecipientPurposeAmount
Region IV Area Agency on Aging Inc St Joseph, MIGeneral Support$131,085
Berrien County Health Department Benton Harbor, MIGeneral Support$95,723
Salvation Army - Benton Harbor Benton Harbor, MIGeneral Support$71,903
YMCA of Southwest Michigan Niles, MIGeneral Support$71,903
Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor Benton Harbor, MIGeneral Support$63,588
The Avenue Family Network Benton Harbor, MIGeneral Support$58,629
Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan St Joseph, MIGeneral Support$58,076
Logan Community Resources South Bend, INGeneral Support$55,347
Berrien County Cancer Service Stevensville, MIGeneral Support$51,757
Emergency Shelter Services Inc Benton Harbor, MIGeneral Support$47,050

Financial History

Multi-year comparison from IRS filings

Filing year Assets Revenue Expenses Grants reported
2025 $3,619,438 $3,489,465 $3,863,357 $1,492,158
2024 $4,643,520 $3,378,513 $4,733,654 $2,603,630
2023 $5,843,901 $4,202,935 $5,461,986 $1,450,250

The filing reports 46 grants in 2025, 47 in 2024, and 45 in 2023.

Revenue
Expenses
Net Investment Income
$0$2M$4M$6M$8M2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
Metric202520242023
Total Assets$3,619,438$4,643,520$5,843,901
Revenue$3,489,465$3,378,513$4,202,935
Expenses$3,863,357$4,733,654$5,461,986
Net Investment Income$142,013$99,888$46,206

Data update history

When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable

  1. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS May 12, 2021)
  2. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 13, 2022)
  3. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 5, 2023)
  4. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS June 18, 2024)
  5. Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS November 17, 2025)
  6. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2019 (received by the IRS June 15, 2020)
  7. Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS August 7, 2026)
  8. IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024

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

Anna Murphy — President: $152KAnna MurphyPresident$152K

The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $152K, to Anna Murphy (President).

Contact

Mailing address: PO Box 288, St Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-1700
Website: https://uwsm.org

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.

Your AI grants department

Here's the math on researching United Way of Southwest Michigan by hand.

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.

Health

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

Wood Foundation Inc

South Bend, IN

Assets

$12.9M

Grants

7

Total Given

$675K

Whirlpool Foundation

Benton Harbor, MI

The Whirlpool Foundation supports housing and neighborhood development, education, and community initiatives that improve quality of life in places where Whirlpool operates, with most 2024 funding going to Michigan. Its 2024 grants ranged from $75 to $1.8 million, with a median of $6,000. Applicants are instructed to contact the foundation and submit a letter and application form; staff approval is required before trustee review.

Assets

$12.6M

Grants

141

Total Given

$10.1M

Bill Nygren Foundation

Chicago, IL

In 2024, the Bill Nygren Foundation supported a range of community-focused organizations and causes, with most funding going to Michigan and Illinois and a small share to California. Grants ranged from $1,000 to $205,000, with a median of $17,500. It funds only preselected charitable organizations and does not accept unsolicited requests.

Assets

$10.9M

Grants

33

Total Given

$1.3M

Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation

Allegan, MI

The Perrigo Company Charitable Foundation funds nonprofit health, well-being, education, workforce preparation, and basic-needs programs in communities where Perrigo operates, with most recent giving concentrated in Michigan. Its 2025 grants ranged from $156 to $165,000, with a median of $5,000; it accepts unsolicited requests through an online application, with no application deadlines stated.

Assets

$82K

Grants

101

Total Given

$963K

WK Kellogg Foundation

Battle Creek, MI

The W.K. Kellogg Foundation funds work to help children, families, and communities thrive, including early education, health equity, food systems, family economic well-being, and racial equity. In 2025, its grants ranged from $50 to nearly $5 million, with a median of $100,000; it funds across the United States, with long-term commitments in several states and communities, as well as parts of Mexico and Haiti. It accepts unsolicited proposals online at any time.

Assets

$481.0M

Grants

1,818

Total Given

$303.9M

Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan

Detroit, MI

The Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan funds nonprofits working in economic opportunity, health equity, youth and education, arts and culture, and public space and the environment across seven southeast Michigan counties. Its 2024 grants had a median of $25,000, though awards varied widely; organizations begin with a brief proposal, and selected applicants are invited to submit a full application.

Assets

$1.2B

Grants

938

Total Given

$105.1M

More Funders in Michigan

United Way of Southwest Michigan down — hundreds of funders to go?

Want AI to do this for you?