TRANSFORMATION
One goal of our Transformation Strategy was to increase the number of BIPOC-led agencies in our Community Grant Fund.
To do that, we knew we needed to change our process. The results were eye-opening, and they allowed us to make immediate improvements to our application process. The fruit of those changes can be seen in our 2023-2026 Community Grant Fund cohort, which is by far the most diverse it’s ever been: the number of funded agencies led or founded by people of color increased from 9 agencies in the 2020–23 grant cycle to 18 in our current 2023–26 cycle.
WHILE THAT’S A GOOD START, we’re determined to keep pushing for greater BIPOC representation among our agency partners.
Reducing Barriers.
To make it easier for grassroots organizations, especially those founded by people of color, to access the knowledge and resources of United Way and to make us, at the same time, more informed and effective in our mission.
OPPORTUNITY INITIATIVE
The Opportunity Initiative provided one-time grants to 21 BIPOC-founded or led agencies with budgets of less than $100,000. The process was streamlined and simple to apply for, with as little arduous back-end work as possible.
But the money wasn’t the whole story. Agencies also received training in preparing financial statements, writing grant proposals, evaluating the effectiveness of programs, and using social media to tell their stories.
Dondreá Brown of Young Money Finances used part of his grant to invest in marketing, which resulted in media coverage for his organization. “We actually had a funder reach out to us because we were in one of the newspapers,” Brown explained. “They sent us a grant. I was like, there’s no way we ever would have made it to the newspaper if it wasn’t for the support that United Way gave.”
We Matter Now and EmbraceHer
Initiatives Were Born.
As we began to make new connections with grassroots nonprofits here in Kent County, we began to see opportunities to use our long-standing role as a community convener.
The Opportunity Initiative brought us into contact with two organizations led by men of color and dedicated to working with youth in the community. Both were doing incredible work with a certain amount of overlap in their missions.
The We Matter Now Initiative was born. The goal of We Matter Now is to empower young men of color with the necessary tools to close the gap on education, wellness, and financial achievement. With programming focused on financial education, healthy behaviors, conflict resolution, and planning for the future, We Matter Now encourages youth to see themselves not as “at-risk” but as “at-potential.”
After the success of We Matter Now, we collaborated with two more of our dedicated partner agencies–Girls Growing 2 Women and HOAP—to launch the Embrace Her Summit. This annual event brings together young girls of color, providing a supportive and empowering environment where they can build confidence and cultivate a strong sense of personal strength.
The work is far from over.
At Heart of West Michigan United Way, we seek to close the educational and economic achievement gaps for all people in Kent County. When we maximize people’s potential, talent, and skills, our community grows stronger and more vibrant.
“But here’s the key: Get involved. Do something. This has to be an effort that involves the community.”–Dr. Bill Pink