United Way of Washtenaw County has granted $50,000 to five local organizations that help women and families maintain financial stability.

Here's who was recognized this year by United Way of Washtenaw County for their efforts in advocating, giving, volunteering and promoting equity in area communities.

United Way of Washtenaw County partnered with the financial wellness company in June 2021 in order to help community members to better manage debt and become more financially empowered.

United Way of Washtenaw County is releasing $16,000 in grants to three local nonprofits to supplement recent food shortage efforts.

Trained program volunteers assist those who qualify with tax preparation at the United Way of Washtenaw County (UWWC) office at 2305 Platt Rd.

The Power of the Purse event is back in-person this year at WCC's Morris Lawrence Building.

Spend 21 days in January learning about bias, privilege and prejudice with the 2023 edition of United Way of Washtenaw County’s Equity Challenge.

The owner of Argus Farm Stop is honored for helping support local farmers, her volunteering and philanthropic efforts.

Fourteen organizations were recipients of recent grants from United Way of Washtenaw County's Opportunity Fund.

“This year’s Power of the Purse grant recipients are working in various ways to address the essential needs of women and their families as they navigate returns to school, work, and greater home stability," said UWWC Vice President of Impact and Advocacy Bridget Herrman.

66% of this year’s funds went to organizations in Ypsilanti and eastern Washtenaw County.

United Way of Washtenaw County and Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation are partnering with a national nonprofit to help families overcome their financial struggles.

Two Washtenaw County organizations have joined forces to help seniors cope with increased isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Michigan Enhancement Grant will support the programs over two years, allowing United Way of Washtenaw County to provide free financial help and services to Washtenaw County families in need.

The virtual event showcases influential women in Washtenaw County and has named a woman of the year every year since 2009.

Community members can speak one-on-one with a coach to create personalized plans for free.

Two separate United Way grants have gone to Jewish Family Services and Samaritas.

United Way of Washtenaw County has named Washtenaw County Health Department Health Officer Jimena Loveluck as its 2022 Woman of the Year.

United Way of Washtenaw County will soon launch a brand-new series of community talks on racial inequity.

This year, participants reported being affected by the Equity Challenge in several ways.

United Way of Washtenaw County has joined the Vaccinate the Great Lakes State campaign .

Between August 2-6, United Way and Washtenaw County employees are banding together to collect school supplies for area children in the Washtenaw County Public school district.

United Ways of Washtenaw County and Southeast Michigan grant $20,000 for technology for homeless youth.

Grant recipients are helping to create a safety net of health and human services for community members, UWWC said.

Registration for the self-guided challenge is now open.

United Way of Washtenaw County's offices at 2305 Platt Rd. ANN ARBOR – United Way of Washtenaw County has announced it is accepting applications for its new Opportunity Fund for local nonprofit programs. The $200,000 fund will support organizations whose work serves residents with low incomes, people of color and systemically and/or historically marginalized people. To review eligibility guidelines and to apply for an FY21 Opportunity Fund grant, click here. The fund is for new and emerging programs and not for sustaining ongoing local organizations.

ANN ARBOR – United Way of Washtenaw County’s Power of the Purse benefit will be moving online this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. Tickets are now available for the March 10 event that will honor UWWC’s 2021 Woman of the Year, Food Gatherers’ CEO and President, Eileen Spring. Spring was chosen by the Power of the Purse committee for her accomplishments in food system security, innovation and community leadership. To date, the Power of the Purse event has allowed the UWWC Women’s Leadership Initiative to grant over $260,000 for women’s programs in Washtenaw County. Spring has been at the helm of Food Gatherers for 27 years and helped develop the organization’s Food Security Plan, which played an integral role when the coronavirus pandemic hit the area.

ANN ARBOR – The Song Foundation has donated $100,000 to maximize impact in local COVID-19 relief efforts, announced United Way of Washtenaw County on Monday. The gift was made as a match program so that any year-end gift to UWWC’s Community Impact Fund will be matched. In March, the Song Foundation committed $1 million to the Office of Community and Economic Development of Washtenaw County to establish an emergency relief fund for small local businesses. Needs of the local community have surged since the pandemic began, putting pressure on nonprofit agencies. “We encourage employees making Community Impact Fund gifts to see whether it qualifies under their company’s matching gift program.”For more information or to make a donation, visit www.uwwashtenaw.org.

ANN ARBOR – Food Gatherers president and CEO, Eileen Spring, has been named United Way of Washtenaw County’s 2021 Woman of the Year. The award is given by UWWC’s Women United group to women who demonstrate leadership and commitment to the local community. Spring will be honored at UWWC’s annual “Power of the Purse” event on March 10, 2021, which will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Spring was central in developing a food security plan in response to the increased need due to the pandemic. From June 2019 to June 2020, Food Gatherers distributed 7.8 million pounds of food to those in need.

ANN ARBOR – United Way of Washtenaw County has announced a new grant round totaling $69,000 for local organizations meeting critical needs of community members impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. The latest rounds are in addition to the $90,000 that was previously granted through UWWC’s COVID-19 Recovery Fund. The total amount invested by UWWC is area relief and recovery efforts is $1.2 million. Its Recovery Fund was launched to help local organizations help those most in need during the pandemic -- particularly those who have lost income or employment as a result of the health crisis. UWWC recently received a $500,000 state grant from the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities to help disperse its COVID-19 Relief Funding.

ANN ARBOR – The Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities has awarded four local organizations Rapid Response Initiative Grants. United Way of Washtenaw County, Food Gatherers, Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels and the Washtenaw County Health Department received over $1,000,000 in funds to continue to respond to the needs of communities of color that have been impacted by COVID-19. “The funding ultimately means reducing cases across our county and among our most vulnerable populations, ensuring our response to the pandemic centers equity. And at the state level and locally, that is and has always been the goal," Alize Asberry Payne, Washtenaw County Racial Equity Officer and a member of the Michigan Coronavirus Task Force on Racial Disparities Community Action Team, said in a statement. Here’s how the funding breaks down:United Way of Washtenaw County: $500,000Washtenaw County Health Department: $248,000Ypsilanti Meals on Wheels: $144,600Food Gatherers: $150,000✉ Like what you’re reading?

ANN ARBOR, Mich. Commit to deepening an understanding of inequality and racism with the 21 Day Equity Challenge by United Way of Washtenaw County. The 21 Day Equity Challenge runs Sept. 8-27. Every day, UWWC sents out an email to challenge participants with an email prompt including readings, videos and/or podcasts. The challenge is done in partnership with other United Way organizations across Michigan in light of recent data regarding Michigan households who are considered Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained and Employed. Learn more about the 21 Day Equity Challenge at uwwashtenaw.org/equity-michigan.

ANN ARBOR Six Washtenaw County organizations have received a combined $90,000 in grants from the United Way of Washtenaw County COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund. We established the Recovery Fund because we recognized community needs related to COVID-19 are not going to go away anytime soon. United Way is grateful to the donors who responded quickly and generously to create significant, equitable and meaningful impact.The COVID-19 Community Recovery Fund was launched to meet the critical needs and emerging needs of individuals and communities that have been impacted financially by the pandemic. The fund is UWWCs second phase of COVID-19 relief being given to community organizations. The ongoing Recovery Fund is still accepting donations from community members.

ANN ARBOR United Way of Washtenaw County is seeking volunteers for its National Day of Virtual Action set to take place on June 19. United Ways Day of Action is traditionally held on the longest day of the year and encourages people of all ages to stand together around important issues within the community. Due to the ongoing health crisis, on-site volunteering opportunities are limited. "We wanted to find ways to continue to engage volunteers with finite opportunities to volunteer in-person than we have for previous Day of Actions. Take action on Juneteenth: United Way of Washtenaw County has been focused on equity and racial justice for many years but we need your help to make a change.