FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs)
WHO is United Way of Southwest Michigan?
United Way of Southwest Michigan is part of a national & international network of locally governed United Ways working to create lasting positive change in communities and people’s lives. We serve Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties.
What does United Way of Southwest Michigan do?
We are a fundraising organization and the glue of the non-profit community. When you donate, we put your dollars to work across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties. We run programs such as Volunteer United, VITA, and 2-1-1, and we fund vetted local programs focused on Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Community.
What counties does United Way of Southwest Michigan serve?
United Way of Southwest Michigan serves Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties in Michigan.
Do donations to United Way of Southwest Michigan stay local?
Yes. Contributions to United Way of Southwest Michigan are invested in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to support local programs, partner agencies, and community needs. All impact partners that receive funding are held accountable to their funded program’s stated impact and reviewed often.
How does United Way decide which programs to fund?
United Way engages the community to identify major local needs, develops strategies to address those needs, uses financial and volunteer resources to support solutions, and measures results. Funding is provided to eligible 501(c)(3) organizations through an application and review process. Review teams made mostly of volunteers from the community make funding decisions. Organizations agree to a set of rules on how their program funds must be used, and are accountable to reporting on that program’s impact.
Why should I give to United Way instead of directly to one Non-Profit I really like?
Giving through United Way helps support many local programs and partner agencies at once. United Way funding can also help programs qualify for state and federal grants by showing local support, leveraging donor dollars so they go further. United Way volunteer teams and staff have done the work to vet all organizations and programs that apply for funding and hold them accountable to making progress in their program’s stated mission for impact.
What is ALICE?
ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed. ALICE households are working households that earn above the federal poverty level but still struggle to afford basic needs such as housing, food, child care, transportation, health care, and taxes.
What are United Way of Southwest Michigan’s focus areas?
Our work centers on three goals: Youth Opportunity, Financial Security, and Healthy Community.
HOW DO I DONATE TO UNITED WAY?
Most people know United Way through workplace campaign pledge drives. Just about every major and mid-level company or non-profit in the region participates. Between August and December, organizations ask their employees to give to United Way of Southwest Michigan directly through payroll deduction or one-time gifts. You can also give to United Way of Southwest Michigan at events like ROCK THE BOAT. Other giving options include corporate giving with an annual gift, corporate matches of employee giving, one-time or recurring gifts directly through uwsm.org/donate using a Credit Card, ACH, Venmo, PayPal, Google Pay, or Apple Pay. Some donors also choose to leave a lasting impact using a Planned Giving option with a donation from a will or a trust.
WHERE CAN I SEE UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN’S 990 PUBLIC REPORTING?
Our partner Candid, which runs a service called Guidestar, will have 990 forms filed with the IRS as well as past impact and other reporting available for public view. You can also view some of these items on CharityNavigator.
HOW LONG HAS UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN BEEN SERVING THE COMMUNITY?
The Southwest Michigan region began as the Twin Cities Community Chest as early as 1943, and incorporated the 1945. It became known later, as many United organizations did, as the Twin Cities United Fund, then The United Way of Blossomland. The Niles Area United Way, Cass County United Way, and Van Buren County United Way, all merged at different times with Southwest Michigan to form the organization we know today.
HOW CAN I STAY CONNECTED AND BE INFORMED OF YOUR WORK?
The best way to stay informed of United Way’s work is to follow us on social media, or simply sign up for our monthly updates here.
Can individuals apply for United Way grants or financial assistance?
No. United Way of Southwest Michigan does not provide loans, personal grants, or direct financial assistance to individuals. If you need help, contact 2-1-1 for referrals to local agencies and programs that may be able to assist.
How can I get help with food, housing, utilities, transportation, or other needs?
What is 2-1-1?
2-1-1 is a comprehensive information and referral service that connects people with community services and programs, including help with housing and shelter, food, utilities, health care, mental health and addictions, clothing, and transportation.
What is Volunteer United?
Volunteer United is United Way of Southwest Michigan’s volunteer center and online volunteer-matching platform. It connects individuals, groups, and companies with local nonprofit volunteer opportunities across the tri-county area.
How can I find volunteer opportunities?
Visit volunteerunited.org to explore Volunteer United opportunities. You can search by interest, location, date, skills, and whether you want a one-time or ongoing opportunity.
What is VITA?
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance, or VITA, is an IRS program that helps low- and moderate-income working taxpayers complete their annual tax returns at no cost. United Way recruits and trains IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers for the program.
Can VITA check the status of my tax return or refund?
No. After taxes are prepared by VITA volunteers, the volunteers do not have access to the return information. Check refund or tax return status directly with the IRS at IRS.gov or with the State of Michigan at Michigan.gov.
What should I do if the IRS or State of Michigan says there is an issue with my VITA-prepared return?
If the IRS or State of Michigan says your taxes have an issue or that your return does not exist, call the VITA service hotline at 269-934-3717 for assistance.
Does United Way accept donations of clothing, furniture, household goods, food, or other physical items?
United Way of Southwest Michigan generally does not accept physical item donations from individuals. Exceptions may occur during specific collection events or drives, such as Stuff a Truck for SMCAA. When an event is active, follow the event’s posted instructions.
Can my nonprofit apply for United Way funding?
Eligible 501(c)(3) organizations serving Berrien, Cass, or Van Buren County may apply during the funding application window. United Way shares application information publicly on its website and social media when applications are open.
Who should organizations contact with questions about United Way funding allocations?
Organizations can contact Debbie Ramirez at 269-982-1700 or [email protected] with questions about funding allocations.
What is e-CImpact?
e-CImpact is United Way of Southwest Michigan’s online system for managing the annual resource investment process. Partners use it to submit applications, reports, and accountability documents, and investment team members use it to review partner and program information. Visit impact.uwsm.org to log in.
What are United Way of Southwest Michigan’s signature events?
Signature events include Annual Celebration, ROCK THE BOAT Cardboard Boat Races, Cass County School Supply Spectacular, Rake A Difference, and the Whirlpool Appliance Sale.
What is ROCK THE BOAT?
ROCK THE BOAT is United Way of Southwest Michigan’s cardboard boat race fundraiser held in July at the Inn at Harbor Shores in the St. Joseph River channel. Teams race cardboard boats and raise funds for United Way.
What is Rake A Difference?
Rake A Difference is a Day of Action for Seniors. Volunteer teams help senior citizens age 60 and older in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties by raking and bagging leaves, cleaning gutters, and delivering personal care kits.
What is the Cass County School Supply Spectacular?
The Cass County School Supply Spectacular is an annual early-August event that helps children from Cass County-based low-income households prepare for school by providing backpacks filled with grade-appropriate school supplies.
When is the Whirlpool Appliance Sale?
In-person Whirlpool Appliance Sale dates are now permanently scheduled for late April or early May and will no longer take place in August or October. An online sale is expected around the holidays in November and December. Visit whirlpoolappliancesale.com and sign up for email alerts for updates.
How can my workplace run a United Way campaign?
Employers can run a workplace campaign by choosing campaign dates and giving options, selecting an Employee Campaign Coordinator, offering payroll deduction or e-pledge options, sharing United Way materials, hosting a kickoff or special events, and submitting campaign results.
What is an Employee Campaign Coordinator?
An Employee Campaign Coordinator, or ECC, is a workplace volunteer who helps plan and run a company’s United Way campaign. ECCs coordinate materials, promote giving and volunteering, recruit colleagues, track volunteer hours, and help submit campaign results.