United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization headquartered in St. Joseph, Michigan. Founded in 1942, the organization is part of a national network of more than 1,300 locally governed United Way organizations. The organization mobilizes communities to advance the common good and improve lives through fundraising, grantmaking, volunteer engagement, and advocacy efforts.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$4.6M
-20.5% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.6M
+79.5% YoY
Grant Count
47
+4.4% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$55K
+71.9% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. The organization works to create and sustain a united and resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives.
Core Values: Community-Focused, Impactful, Responsive, Connected, Results-Oriented Stewards
Primary Focus Areas:
- Early education and literacy
- Post-secondary success
- Healthy bodies and healthy minds
- Financial security and employment
- Food security
- Safe environments
- Health access and promotion
- Education and closing achievement gaps
- Basic needs support
Grantmaking
United Way of Southwest Michigan provides funding to multiple programs across the region. In recent funding cycles, the organization:
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of Southwest Michigan serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan.
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Most Recent Financial Data (2023):
- Total revenues: $4,202,935
- Total expenses: $5,461,986
- Total assets: $5,843,901
- Number of employees: 24
Organization Status:
- IRS ruling year: 1945
- ERS EIN: 38-1358411
- Tax-exempt status: 501(c)(3) Public Charity
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $4,643,520 | $5,843,901 | $7,038,914 |
| Revenue | $3,378,513 | $4,202,935 | $5,380,332 |
| Expenses | $4,733,654 | $5,461,986 | $6,241,850 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $99,888 | $46,206 | $32,799 |
| 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 2024
Grant Size Distribution
218 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Region Iv Area Agency on Aging Inc ($215,670), Kinexus ($159,250), Berrien County Health Department ($134,876).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| AMERICAN RED CROSS COUNTY CHAPTER BENTON HARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $27,300 |
| BERRIEN COUNTY CANCER SERVICE STEVENSVILLE, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $81,900 |
| BERRIEN COUNTY HEALTH DEPARTMENT BENTON HARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $134,876 |
| BERRIEN RESA BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $72,800 |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS NILES, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $44,362 |
| BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB OF BENTON HARBOR BENTON HARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $127,400 |
| CAMP FIRE RIVER BEND NOTRE DAME, IN | GENERAL SUPPORT | $22,750 |
| CARES BENTON HARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $16,380 |
| CENTER(ED) ON WELLNESS BENTON HARBOR, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $94,640 |
| CHILDREN'S ADVOCACY CENTER OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN ST JOSEPH, MI | GENERAL SUPPORT | $95,550 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- President & CEO: Anna Murphy
- Senior Director of Organizational Sustainability: Zack East (joined leadership team in April 2024; previously served as Board Chair)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| TIM SMITH | OFFICER, BOARD CHAIR | 2 | — |
| RON GRIESINGER | OFFICER, TREASURER | 2 | — |
| GOKUL NAIR | OFFICER, VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| ALEXANDRA NEWMAN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| GLENN COWLES | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MARIA ZAVALA | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| RANDY HENDRIXSON | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| NICOLE BRITTEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| KIRSTEN HEWITT | OFFICER, ASSOCIATE VICE CHAIR | 2 | — |
| SOROYA PIERRE VANARTSEN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| MATTHEW MCLAUGHLIN | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| COLLEEN REINHART | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| CORY SHIMULUNAS | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| SUSAN DOBRICH | DIRECTOR | 2 | — |
| ANNA MURPHY | PRESIDENT | 50 | $137,004 |
Contact Information
Mailing Address: PO Box 288 St. Joseph, MI 49085
Office Address: 2015 Lakeview Avenue St. Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 982-1700
Fax: (269) 982-1701
Email: info@uwsm.org
Office Hours: 8:30am–5:00pm Monday–Thursday; 8:30am–Noon Fridays
Website: uwsm.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does United Way of Southwest Michigan fund?
**Mission:** To improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities to advance the common good. The organization works to create and sustain a united and resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. **Core Values:** Community-Focused, Impactful, Responsive, Connected, Results-Oriented Stewards **Primary Focus Areas:** • Early education and literacy • Post-secondary success • Healthy bodies and healthy minds • Financial security and employment • Food security • S…
How do I apply for a grant from United Way of Southwest Michigan?
United Way of Southwest Michigan provides funding to multiple programs across the region. In recent funding cycles, the organization: • Provided funding to 74 programs at 49 organizations • Distributed funding to 61 programs and 5 collective impact projects at 45 agencies (in 2021) • Generated over $1,600,000 in matching funds for area agencies (2021) • Helped area agencies receive over $2,000,000 in leveraged funds in the first year of a funding cycle • Impacted over 143,000 individuals throug…
Where does United Way of Southwest Michigan make grants?
United Way of Southwest Michigan serves **Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan**.
What size grants does United Way of Southwest Michigan award?
In 2024, United Way of Southwest Michigan awarded 47 grants totaling $2.6M — an average of about $55K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
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 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in United Way of Southwest Michigan's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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