Families across Metro Detroit are feeling the squeeze of rising costs and economic uncertainty, and United Way for Southeastern Michigan is responding with $5.3 million in funding spread across 95 local nonprofits in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw and Wayne counties.
The investment is already making a measurable difference. More than 200,000 individuals and households have been served so far, according to a release. Nearly all of them are below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) threshold, a designation for people who are working but still cannot reliably afford housing, childcare, utilities and transportation.
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“United Way is uniquely positioned to both meet the urgency of today’s challenges and promote the long-term solutions our communities need,” said Jeff Miles, Vice President of Community Impact at United Way for Southeastern Michigan. “Providing flexible investments allows us and our partners to move resources where they are needed most; supporting frontline staff, stabilizing essential services, and ensuring families don’t fall through the cracks during uncertain times. We want to build a connected system of care, working for everyone.”
According to the release, United Way structured the investment across three targeted grant programs:
Community Access and Response Fund — $1.2 million to 37 organizations focused on emergency food, homelessness prevention, after-school programs and reducing chronic school absenteeism.
The fund has already served 77,738 people in the first half of the grant period, and more than 40% of recipient organizations have already exceeded their annual service goals.
Wraparound Services and Stability Fund — $3.5 million to 41 organizations and collaboratives providing coordinated, multi-service support for families dealing with multiple challenges at once.
The fund has reached 124,752 people, already 70% of the total number expected to be served, with half the grant period still remaining.
Connect4Care and Systems Change Fund — $600,000 to 16 organizations working on long-term policy solutions for ALICE families.
The fund also supports coordination among core homeless service organizations across all four counties through shared data and technology.
Impact of United Way grants
With federal and state funding sources facing delays, cuts and uncertainty, United Way’s flexible dollars have allowed nonprofit partners to keep services running without interruption.
Organizations have used the funding to maintain frontline staff, expand hours and locations, and offer services not typically covered by traditional grants.
Many partners report demand for services has jumped more than 30% in the past six months alone.
United Way’s grants are also designed to reach families who may not qualify for other assistance — even when they are clearly struggling.
“By complementing more restricted grants, United Way’s flexible operating support helps us expand access to emergency food assistance, reduce stress for working families, and provide dignified, timely support to households striving to remain stable despite financial constraints,” MiChele Basemore, Chief of Staff, Metro Detroit AFL-CIO.
Network of organizations
Nine out of 10 funded partners report actively collaborating with other organizations in the network, which is a sign that United Way’s approach is doing more than just writing checks, according to the release.
“There is value in the short and long term to building these relationships to ensure that we can serve people in need in a collaborative way and coordinate efforts, when possible,” Julie Hintz, Program Manager, Macomb Community Action.
For more information on the grants process and to view the full report, visit United Way for Southeastern Michigan’s website.