The United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) is now accepting applications for its 2024 Community Impact Grant cycle, aimed at supporting individuals and families in Clinton, Eaton, and Ingham counties who live below the ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, and Employed) threshold. This grant cycle provides funding opportunities across three categories: Basic Needs, Collaborative, and Grassroots grants, each designed to address specific community challenges. Basic Needs Grants focus on health, human services, and education initiatives, offering up to $15,000 annually. Collaborative Grants, with annual funding of up to $45,000, are intended for organizations working together to solve community problems. Grassroots Grants provide $5,000 per year to small nonprofits with limited budgets, and these grantees also participate in a nonprofit learning collaborative.

The grant cycle covers a two-year period from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2026, with the second year of funding contingent on UWSCMI’s fundraising efforts. The program prioritizes support for underserved populations, including Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPoC) individuals, single-parent families, and households led by young adults under 25 or seniors over 65. These groups are disproportionately affected by economic challenges and are more likely to fall within the ALICE threshold. Through this initiative, UWSCMI aims to create meaningful and sustainable improvements in the quality of life for these vulnerable populations.

To be eligible, organizations must have active 501(c)(3) status or a fiscal sponsor with that designation. All proposed projects must directly benefit residents of the tri-county area. Applications must be submitted through the grant portal no later than January 26, 2024, at 5 p.m. The online application process allows organizations to provide detailed proposals aligned with UWSCMI’s mission to address pressing community needs.

For technical assistance or questions about the grant program, applicants can contact Celaina Boylan-Castilla, Community Impact Associate, at c.boylan-castilla@uwscmi.org or 517-203-5015. UWSCMI encourages applicants to carefully review the guidelines and focus their proposals on collaborative, impactful solutions that address the root causes of poverty and create opportunities for long-term community transformation. This funding opportunity highlights UWSCMI’s commitment to advancing equity and improving outcomes for underserved populations in South Central Michigan.