Financial Stewardship
WE’RE COMMITTED TO ENSURING THAT YOUR GIFT IS INVESTED IN THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAY POSSIBLE.
Revenue
Expenses
All gifts to the Community Grant Fund (i.e., undesignated gifts) stay here in Kent County and are invested in reducing poverty and social inequities through affordable housing, food security, violence prevention, workforce development, and education. With an emphasis on accountability, we vet and review all funded programs in the areas of quality programming, finance, and administration to make sure that your gift is invested in the most effective and efficient way possible.
But you don’t have to take our word for it. We’re proud to have earned a four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the world’s largest and most trusted nonprofit evaluator. Charity Navigator gives a four-star rating to “exceptional” organizations who score a 90 or above in their review.
HEART OF WEST UNITED WAY EARNED SCORES OF 100 IN BOTH OUR FINANCIAL RATING AND ACCOUNTABILITY AND TRANSPARENCY RATING. Less than 1% of the thousands of charities charity navigator rates have earned perfect scores. Read more
Our operating budget is audited by an independent accounting firm and is carefully reviewed by the members of the United Way Finance and Audit Committee and Board of Directors.
Funding Sources
In addition to our annual fundraising campaign, we seek and earn funding from other sources. Examples include grants for internal programs like our 2-1-1 health and human service hotline, earnings from investments and endowment assets, and fees for facility services rendered and rental income from office space at the United Way Center. These additional funding sources, along with campaign dollars, form the organization’s operating budget.
Administrative Costs
For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, Heart of West Michigan United Way’s fundraising and administrative costs were 12%. This percentage represents that portion of annual campaign dollars that we spend on administration (building, staff, etc.) and fundraising costs for the next year's campaign (materials, print, advertisements, etc.). We also help hundreds of other nonprofits maintain low overhead rates by providing them with volunteers and facilities management services.
Agency Partners
All agencies and programs requesting United Way funding undergo careful, regular, and in-depth financial review by experienced and trained volunteers and professional staff who review audited statements and budget documents. Agencies must report annually about the impact of their programs and services. In addition, all United Way funded agencies must be registered 501(c) 3 agencies, and must abide by the U.S. charitable laws.
For more finance information, contact our Finance Department at 616-459-6281.