Three counties.
All year.
A marketing sponsorship for small businesses in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. You invest in the place you do business, and your customers see it.
Nearly 4 in 10 households in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties can't afford the basics.
That's 44,685 households in our three counties, and most of them are working. They are ALICE: Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. They are the people who make up our local economy, the neighbors every business in Southwest Michigan ultimately depends on. One car repair, medical bill, or cut in hours can push a working family into crisis.
This year, the stakes are higher.
This summer, we asked the organizations we fund how they're really doing.
And yet, they keep showing up.
Drastic cuts to federal and state funding are a reality, and the nonprofits that receive support from United Way of Southwest Michigan are counting on us to help fill the gap where we can. That's why we've set a $3.5 million community campaign goal this year. The organizations serving our neighbors can't afford to wait.
A business is only as strong as the community around it. Your business already supports this one every day, through the people you employ, the taxes you pay, and the dollars you keep local. The 365 Small Business Circle is one plan that meets your community impact goals for the whole year, starting at a dollar a day.
Choose your level
Pay annually, quarterly or monthly, whichever works best for your business.
- Window decal plus a digital badge for your site and socials
- Right to use the 365 member logo in your own marketing
- Your name on the UWSM 365 member page
- Group thank you post on UWSM social
- First look at Rake a Difference Day and other volunteer projects
- Your logo and a clickable link on the 365 page
- Your own social post, with your logo and a photo
- Named in the UWSM e-newsletter
- Invitation to the annual 365 Circle breakfast
- A member spotlight profile on uwsm.org
- Listed in the UWSM annual report
- Recognized from the stage at the campaign celebration
Here's what your dollar does.
It helps fund emergency services and the programs that help ALICE families stay on their feet. It keeps 2-1-1 and free tax preparation through VITA available in our community. And it helps us bring partners together on solutions that reduce the barriers families face in the first place.
And the math works. A dollar a day is $365 a year, more than enough to provide home-delivered meals for 10 weekends for a homebound senior. If your business can do more, the Partner level at $2 a day and the Leader level at $5 a day add greater visibility and recognition along with greater impact.
There is more than one way in.
Not every business is in a place to write a check, and that is alright. There are a few ways to reach your level, and we are glad to build something that fits how your business works.
Jeans day
Staff chip in to dress down for a week and you are most of the way there.
Round up
Add a round up at the register for seven days and let your customers carry it.
Feature an item
Put the proceeds from one product or service toward your level.
Start smaller
Bring a team to Rake a Difference Day or sponsor an event, then grow into the Circle later.
Good questions
Is this a donation or a sponsorship?
A sponsorship, which means what you give comes back to you in part. Your business receives real promotional benefits in return, and we will put their value in writing so you and your tax advisor have what you need.
Who can join?
Businesses with fewer than 50 employees that do not already run a UWSM workplace campaign. If you have outgrown that, we would love to talk about a campaign instead. It raises more and engages your whole team.
Where does the money go?
To work in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties, alongside hundreds of other gifts, funding programs in education, financial stability, health and basic needs.
How long am I committed?
Twelve months from your first gift, renewable. Pay annually, quarterly or monthly, whichever is easiest on your books.
What if we want to do more than sponsor?
Good. The Circle is often where the relationship starts. From here businesses bring a team to Rake a Difference Day, run a workplace campaign, or work with us on making sure their own employees know what support is available locally. Ask and we will walk you through what fits.
Join the Circle today
Pick your level below. A dollar a day, two, or five. Every one of them goes to work right here, and the organizations serving our neighbors can't afford to wait.
Join by December 31 and your business gets a full year of recognition in 2027.
Takes about two minutes. Pay annually, quarterly or monthly.
A word on how this works. The 365 Circle is a sponsorship rather than a straight donation, so what you give comes back to you in part. Your business receives real benefits, and we will put their value in writing so you and your tax advisor have what you need. Open to businesses with fewer than 50 employees that do not run a UWSM workplace campaign. Annual term, renewable.
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create and sustain a united & resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocating, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org.