“United” is the operative word in United Way’s name. Working together is how communities tackle the toughest issues.

The collaboration between United Way BCKR and the City of Kalamazoo to invest federal dollars through the American Rescue Plan (ARP) is a powerful example. The city gave $1.1 million in ARP funds to United Way to help local nonprofits with challenges they’re still enduring due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Funding includes a staff liaison to work with grantees throughout the process.

“Through this open process, we invited local nonprofit partners to submit funding requests to support work aligned with ARP-eligible categories and city priorities,” said Alyssa Stewart, Vice President of Impact & Engagement.

Those categories include:
• Economy—promoting business development, addressing job loss, and promoting economic health.
• Housing—providing ancillary services to address homelessness and housing instability
• Youth—creating places and supports for young people to thrive.

Stewart said the grants prioritize organizations and projects located in or serving individuals in a Qualified Census Tract within the city, support populations below 60% average median income in Kalamazoo County, or where at least 25% of those served live below the Federal Poverty Line.

“These geographic and economic priorities, ensure that these dollars support those most negatively impacted by COVID-19,” Stewart explained.

The partners announced the grants in September 2021, with applications due at the end of October. The one-year grants were awarded in January 2022. A public dashboard of the applications funded is available at changethestory.org/arp.

“This kind of collaboration is what we mean when we say, ‘Live United,” Stewart said. “It’s an honor for us to be a part of effectively and quickly administering these historic government supports to make a powerful, equitable, lasting impact in the community.”