Upcoming Events
Igniting the Change Summer Celebration
You are cordially invited to celebrate with us on Thursday, June 20, from 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM. We will be celebrating the accomplishments of 2024 and kicking off our Feminine Hygiene Drive.
Enjoy a selection of wine and hors d'oeuvres at the event while you create meaningful relationships with fellow WU members while having the opportunity hear from our guest speaker, Jessica Johns, Director of StoreHouse.
Bring the Basics Sort-a-Social
Join Emerging Leaders United on April 3, to sort collected items from Bring the Basics for distribution to local nonprofit agencies.
Women United Member Meeting
Join your fellow Women United members for our first meeting of 2024–IN PERSON!
During the lunch hour, you'll get a chance to connect with other members, hear a 2023 recap and goals for 2024, and learn about upcoming events.
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
Paddy for a CAUse!
Join us for a night of fun, games, and philanthropy to kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend—all in support of a great cause!
Leaders across the community are coming together to raise money for the Emerging Leaders Microgrant Fund. With your support, we'll award small, one-time grants to local, grassroots nonprofits working to reduce poverty in West Michigan and create a thriving community for all.
From 5:30–7:30 p.m., we'll enjoy drinks, a silent auction, games, and networking with local business and nonprofit leaders. Your ticket will include admission and appetizers.
Silent auction bidding will run from 5:30–7 p.m., with winners announced at 7:15
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
Emerging Leaders Town Hall
Are you an emerging leader in West Michigan and have a passion for philanthropy and service?
Join Emerging Leaders United for their annual membership kickoff as they share the excitement around the upcoming year, chat about Microgrant Fund and what it means in 2024, and how you can get involved with the group throughout the next 12 months!
All are welcome and we encourage you to invite a friend to join you.
Community Tax Day
NO COST TAX PREP COMMUNITY TAX DAY
Through United Way’s Kent County Tax Credit Coalition, IRS-certified volunteers can help you complete your income tax return and apply for the Earned Income Tax Credit. Walk-in appointments are first come, first served.
January Community Connect
Join us on January 19 from 8:30-11 a.m. on a tour to local nonprofit agencies working to make a difference in the housing + economic mobility space.
You can get an inside look at United Way’s partner agencies, learn more about how they combat complex issues, while getting to meet new like-minded and compassionate friends!
We will meet at Heart of West Michigan United Way and then visit:
• ICCF Community Homes
• YWCA
![Glow Up Conference [VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY]](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/5e3326bec9ce7e60bb2e93ce/1697806582196-C4OOYZZ87G0WSZL107UR/Glowup-Header2.png)
Glow Up Conference [VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY]
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: GLOW UP MENTORING EVENT
Women empowering young women to see themselves in various career paths in order to jump-start their thinking about future goals; encouraging school stamina and self-esteem.
Sign up below to become a volunteer! Volunteer shifts are flexible to fit with your schedule and there are many ways to get involved:
Assist with set-up and tear-down day of the event
Monitoring break-out sessions.
Serving lunch
Engaging with the students and speakers
Conduct community service activity during lunch
Be a breakout speaker to share expertise on key topic areas
Be a Keynote speaker during lunch to discuss mindfulness
If you have questions please contact Farris Withers at 616-426-4871 or farris.withers@kentwoodps.org.
Winter Community Connect
Join us on SATURDAY, December 2 from 9 a.m.–12 p.m. on a tour of local nonprofit agencies working to make a difference in the youth advocacy, family crisis, and mental health space.
Through this new quarterly opportunity, you can get an inside look at United Way’s partner agencies, learn more about how they combat complex issues, and end the day with a service project while getting to meet new like-minded and compassionate friends!
We will be visiting:
Ending the morning at Arbor Circle, we will be spending the final hour completing a service project to impact their mission.
Knoop Social Happy Hour
Looking to get out and get social? Join Women United in a couple of weeks for a happy hour at Knoop Rooftop Bar atop the Canopy Hotel.
Trivia Night Fundraiser
Join us for a fun night out in support of our annual Microgrant Fund! Emerging Leaders United is hosting our very first Trivia Night with Garage Bar & Grill.
Fall Community Connection
Through this new opportunity, you can get an inside look at United Way’s partner agencies, learn more about how they combat complex issues, and end the day with a service project!
Headshot Happy Hour
Looking for the opportunity to refresh your headshots before winter and the chance to network with local professionals over some delicious mocktails? Join Emerging Leaders United for Headshot Happy Hour!
Tee It Up For Success
Our outing is a great opportunity for your organization to be a part of a meaningful mission and enjoy a relaxing, fun-filled day on the golf course.
Community Forum: The Latest on ALICE
Heart of West Michigan United Way will present the key findings from the latest ALICE report: “ALICE in the Crosscurrents"
Tuesday, July 25 • 2–3 p.m. • Free Virtual Event
The COVID-19 pandemic, a global health and economic crisis, upended life as we knew it three years ago. It claimed the lives of millions and unleashed a storm of competing economic forces – a phenomenon rarely seen. How did our state's most vulnerable ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) families fare financially?
At this Community Forum, Heart of West Michigan United Way will present the key findings from the latest ALICE report. “ALICE in the Crosscurrents,” which illustrates the impact of the pandemic’s competing economic forces on financially struggling households. Take a deeper dive with us.
Stuff the Bus
When a child starts school with a backpack full of supplies, they can focus less on what they need and more on what really matters—learning. With your help, we can ensure students not only have the necessary tools in the classroom, but also the confidence to thrive in the future.
Emerging Leaders Summer Celebration
This annual free event acts our main membership event where we celebrate our achievements of the past year, recognize those who made a great impact, and spread the word to new and interested members about what it means to LIVE UNITED through ELU
Women United Summer Celebration
On Thursday, June 22, spend the evening at Habitat Kent where, along with this social event, we'll share the benefits of being a member and the calendar for the year ahead—as well as running our annual collection drive for feminine hygiene kits!
Feminine Hygiene Drive
Women United hosts a feminine hygiene collection drive annually to provide dignity, comfort, and self-esteem to girls across our community through personal kits assembled at a day of service! Each kit will include pads, tampons, wipes, and an uplifting note to extend our care and encouragement.
Super Tent Sale at Wolverine Worldwide
It’s time again for Wolverine Worldwide's United Way Super Tent Sale for the West Michigan community!
You can expect to find your favorite footwear and apparel in sample sizes with some additional size runs. Available styles include Wolverine Worldwide’s family of brands like Merrell, Saucony, Sperry, Hush Puppies, and more.
Pricing on all products will include discounts up to 80% off suggested retail price, and proceeds from the sale will benefit Heart of West Michigan United Way!
The sale is Saturday, May 13, from 8 a.m.–4 p.m at 123 N. Main Street in Rockford, rain or shine. The line will close at 3:30 p.m., with the final sale at 4 p.m.
Insider tip: Arrive early!
Please note: This is a sample sale (women's size 7, men's size 9). There will be some additional full-size runs (like for kids), but most of our inventory is focused on sample sizes.
Follow the Facebook event page for the most up-to-date information, sale inventory teasers, maps, logistics, and more!
Volunteering Untapped
Tap into the opportunities to serve your community while enjoying a craft beer by local brewery Arvon
Take part in an on-site volunteer project (Appreciation kits for local veterans)
Meet representatives from Women United and Emerging Leaders United
Find out how you can volunteer year-round
Snacks and one beverage ticket will be provided
Space is limited so sign up today!
Economic Empowerment Conference
ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT CONFERENCE
food, music, and learning. April 22, 2023
This personal finance conference will offer speakers and workshops that will provide inspiration and information for all attendees. This year’s conference will be offered in a hybrid format, where you can choose to register and attend either in-person or virtually. The conference features national speakers, Dr. DeForest “Buster” Soaries and Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, and local experts.
No matter where you are on your personal financial journey, there will be great topics to move you closer to your goals! Presenters will have an opportunity to introduce participants to both new and longstanding money principles and resources that will help people of all backgrounds take tangible steps towards saving, handling credit, avoiding predatory lending, and even purchasing a home.
Spanish translation will be available for in-person attendees. Servicios de interpretación disponible.
Sponsorships have covered the majority of the conference expense, which means there is a nominal ticket cost for those attending in person to offset catering expenses for breakfast and lunch. There is no cost for those attending virtually.
GR Noir Wine + Jazz Social
Join Women United for a wine + jazz night at downtown's GR Noir.
We enjoyed ourselves so much last year, we wanted to go back!
Sort-a-Social with Emerging Leaders United
A night out for a good cause – it's Sort-A-Social!
Heart of West Michigan United Way is expecting thousands of toiletries, socks, diapers, cleaning supplies, and other basic needs items to be donated during our annual Bring the Basics collection drive.
All of the donations will be dropped off at United Way, and we need your help sorting, counting, and repacking them so they can be distributed.
Paddy for a Cause! Benefiting Emerging Leaders Microgrant
Join Grand Rapids Young Professionals for their March Unwind, Emerging Leaders United, and Professionals of Grand Rapids on Thursday, March 16.
You're invited to a night of fun, games, and philanthropy to kick off the St. Patrick's Day weekend—all in support of a great cause!
Leaders across the community are coming together to raise money for the Emerging Leaders Microgrant Fund. With your support, we'll award small, one-time grants to local, grassroots nonprofits working to reduce poverty in West Michigan and create a thriving community for all.
Community TAx day
If you made $60,000 or less last year and live in Kent County, you're eligible to have your taxes prepared and filed for free!
West Michigan Center for Arts + Technology (WCAT) and United Way are teaming up for a Community Tax Day. IRS-certified volunteer tax preparers will be onsite to help you file your taxes at no cost to you and claim the refunds and credits you deserve. No appointment necessary – just walk in!
Walk-in appointments are first come, first served. Doors may close early due to capacity. Click here for a list of required documents to bring to your appointment.
WMCAT is located 614 First Street NW, Suite 300
Grand Rapids MI 49504