A THRIVING COMMUNITY FOR ALL

Building a Stronger West Michigan—Together

In West Michigan, far too many of our neighbors are working hard and still falling behind. The basics—housing, food, mental health care, education—feel just out of reach. But when the right support is there at the right time, everything changes.

At Heart of West Michigan United Way, we help create the conditions where people can thrive—where families find stability, young people discover their potential, and communities grow stronger from the inside out.

We believe thriving isn’t a luxury, it’s a shared responsibility. And it starts with how we show up, for one another.

The Work That Moves Us Forward

From staying housed to staying healthy, from access to opportunity to responding when crisis hits—every part of our work is designed to move people forward, not leave them behind.

Some solutions meet urgent needs. Others change the systems that created them in the first place. We do both because real impact means making sure families get help now and building something better for the future.

Last year, we:

Provided 24/7 support through our 211 helpline, connecting tens of thousands of people to local resources when they need help the most.

Returned millions of dollars to local households through no cost tax preparation that keeps more of what families earn right in their pockets.

Strengthened a network of nonprofits through our Community Investment Process, fueling both frontline work and long-term change.

Mobilized thousands of volunteers through our Volunteer Center—linking people and purpose across Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties.

This is how we create momentum—from crisis to stability, and from stability to lasting opportunity

How We Drive Change

We focus on what works and what’s missing. We lift up what’s already strong and step in where gaps exist. Our role shifts depending on what’s needed most—sometimes we lead, sometimes we support, always we listen.

We act by:

  • Partnering with nonprofits and community leaders

  • Launching initiatives that respond to urgent needs and address the root causes behind them

  • Connecting neighbors, donors, and businesses to opportunities to make an impact

  • Collaborating across systems to build something stronger than any of us could do alone

Because the most powerful solutions don’t just fix problems. They change the conditions and systems that created them.

We organize our work across four interconnected areas that shape everyday life in West Michigan:

  • Financial Security

    Helping people afford the basics—and build toward long-term stability.

  • Healthy Community

    Improving access to food, mental health support, and family well-being.

  • Youth Opportunity

    Investing in the next generation of learners, leaders, and changemakers.

  • Community Resiliency

    Making sure help is there when crisis hits—and building systems that last.

What Does Thriving Really Look Like?

It looks like stability being the norm, not a stroke of luck. It looks like every child imagining a future they can actually reach. It looks like neighbors who feel seen, safe, and supported.

It looks like a region where everyone, across Allegan, Kent, and Ottawa counties, has what they need to not just get by—but to truly thrive.

This is what we’re building. Together.