United Way of the Lakeshore
United Way of the Lakeshore is a nonprofit organization based in Muskegon, Michigan, that mobilizes community resources to address poverty and strengthen local communities. The organization serves Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties across Michigan's Lakeshore region. United Way of the Lakeshore operates as a federated giving program and public charity, supporting the work of more than 75 programs from local agencies across its service area.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$3.5M
+4.9% YoY
Annual Giving
$1.2M
-6.1% YoY
Grant Count
47
+0.0% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$26K
-6.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: To inspire and change thriving communities.
The organization addresses a critical community need: 45% of residents in its service area live in poverty or are part of the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) population, struggling to afford basic necessities including housing, childcare, food, healthcare, and transportation.
Primary Focus Areas:
- Community investment and agency capacity building
- Education and human services
- Volunteerism and community engagement
- Housing assistance and stability
- Food security
- Mental health support
- Utility assistance
- Health and wellness initiatives
Grantmaking
United Way of the Lakeshore distributes grants to local nonprofits and agencies through its community investment process.
Average Grant
amount: $914–$148,179
Grant Types
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
United Way of the Lakeshore serves three counties in Michigan:
- Muskegon County
- Newaygo County
- Oceana County
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2024):
- Total assets: $3,476,811
- Total revenues: $3,448,789
- Total expenses: $3,698,022
- Total giving: $1,240,147
Staffing: 17 employees (as of 2024)
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $3,476,811 | $3,314,381 | $3,704,368 |
| Revenue | $3,448,789 | $2,449,448 | $3,452,874 |
| Expenses | $3,698,022 | $2,980,140 | $3,550,532 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $96,263 | $28,372 | $33,180 |
| 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
236 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
3 open opportunities from United Way of the Lakeshore
Lakeshore Hunger Relief Grants
UNITED WAY OF THE LAKESHORE
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Muskegon County Senior Millage Hunger Relief Fund
UNITED WAY OF THE LAKESHORE
Amount
$75,000
Deadline
Rolling / Open
United Response Fund
UNITED WAY OF THE LAKESHORE
Amount
Up to $10,000 match available
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
No grants recorded for .
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Christine Robere: President/CEO
- Lisa Tyler: Chief Executive Officer (noted in workforce data)
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| CHRISTINE ROBERE | PAST PRESI | 40 | $126,277 |
| RYAN BENNETT | MEMBER | — | — |
| SHAWN BUCKNER | MEMBER | — | — |
| LOUIS DELEGUARADIA | MEMBER | — | — |
| JASON FINCH | MEMBER | — | — |
| JOHN FOSS | MEMBER | — | — |
| TAMICA FOX | MEMBER | — | — |
| POPPY HERNANDEZ | MEMBER | — | — |
| BRAD HILLEARY | VICE CHAIR | — | — |
| DJ HILSON | MEMBER | — | — |
| JOCELYN HINES | MEMBER | — | — |
| RICH HOUTTEMAN | PAST CHAIR | — | — |
| STEVEN JACKSON | MEMBER | — | — |
| SHAWNTAIN JENKINS | MEMBER | — | — |
| PETE KLAHORST | MEMBER | — | — |
| ERIN KUHN | CHAIR | — | — |
| RANDY LINDQUIST | MEMBER | — | — |
| LORI LITTLE | MEMBER | — | — |
| STACY MELLEMA | PAST TREASUR | — | — |
| JILLIAN MELOCHE | MEMBER | — | — |
| KATHY MOORE | PAST CHAIR | — | — |
| LORI O'BRIEN | MEMBER | — | — |
| JASON OLTHOFF | MEMBER | — | — |
| JACK RUSSELL | MEMBER | — | — |
| JOHN SCHAUB | MEMBER | — | — |
| DR JOHN SELMON | MEMBER | — | — |
| PAT SHAFER | MEMBER | — | — |
| JIM STEFFEL | MEMBER | — | — |
| KIM SUAREZ | MEMBER | — | — |
| SUZANNE TANIS | MEMBER | — | — |
| KRIS VANDERSTELT | MEMBER | — | — |
| PAUL WATSON | MEMBER | — | — |
| MATT WERKSMA | MEMBER | — | — |
| KAY WILLIAMS | MEMBER | — | — |
| JONATHAN WILSON | MEMBER | — | — |
| LISA TYLER | PRESIDENT & | 40 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2025 Day of Caring:** In September 2025, United Way of the Lakeshore celebrated its annual Day of Caring across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties. More than 500 volunteers participated, contributing approximately 3,250 hours of service across 17 projects. The event was powered by 35 companies and organizations, with sponsorship from DTE Energy Foundation, Cannon Muskegon, Camp Newaygo, and the Michigan Community Service Commission.
United Way of the Lakeshore Invests $1,841,511 million in Human Service Programs**Community Partnerships:** The organization works with hundreds of corporate, nonprofit, foundation, and labor partners through various collaborative structures including the Community Coordinating Council, Emergency Food & Shelter Program, Continuum of Care, Volunteer Administration Network, and Case Managers Network.
Contact Information
- Address: 31 E Clay Ave, Muskegon, MI 49442-1044
- Phone: 231-722-3134
- Website: www.unitedwaylakeshore.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
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Data last updated April 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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