Equipping communities of color to tackle immediate and chronic needs, especially those heightened by the COVID-19 pandemic, is a key element of work being tackled by the United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region, with the support of a $240,000 grant by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation.

The grant will be divided in two ways: $140,000 will go to overall basic needs support in greater Battle Creek through United Way BCKR’s Disaster Relief Fund; and $100,000 will address needs specific to Battle Creek’s African American, Burmese and Latino populations as part of the WKKF-supported Catalyzing Community Giving (CCG) initiative.

“The disparities that communities of color endure have been significantly magnified by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Nakia Baylis, Ph.D., Director of Data & Equitable Systems for United Way BCKR. “We’ve been collaborating with nonprofit partners that are led by people of color to step up efforts and assist these local communities in meaningful ways.”

Launched in 2014 by WKKF, the CCG initiative supports communities of color in using philanthropy to become agents of their own change and to positively impact the lives of children and families in their communities. More than 30 grantees across the United States, including United Way BCKR, have been partnering on CCG strategies since 2019.

“The data in Michigan very clearly reflects that COVID-19 is disproportionately impacting people of color,” said Ciciley Moore, Program Officer for the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. “We are inspired by the wisdom and know-how emerging from communities of color as they respond in meaningful and appropriate ways to these realities. When people of color direct how resources are invested, it can transform the lives of children and families in their community.”

Baylis said grant dollars will go to Battle Creek communities of color through CCG cohort members, which include VOCES, Burma Center, Southwestern Michigan Urban League, RISE, New Level Sports Ministries, Pastor Richard Bailey, Dr. Elishae Johnson, and the A. Philip Randolph Institute of Battle Creek. The agencies will report back on how investments addressed crucial needs.

In addition to this grant, WKKF supported the United Way Disaster Relief Fund with a $500,000 grant in March. The Disaster Relief Fund proactively supports response and recovery in instances of natural disaster and community crises that affect individuals and families below the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) threshold in Kalamazoo County and greater Battle Creek. Since the pandemic hit, the Fund has supported local relief efforts through 77 area agencies, totaling more than $1.36 million.