Barry County United Way Community Investment applications are now available for the 2025-2026 funding year. Agencies applying for funding must be a health and human service charitable organization 501(c) 3 as determined by the Internal Revenue Service or be a 501(c), incorporated entity in the State of Michigan. The not for profit agency must have a proven track record of providing services to Barry County residents in one of the four funding areas: Helping youth achieve their full potential, supporting families to achieve well-being and success, assisting senior adults find support and maintain independence and addressing urgent and emerging needs in Barry County.
Agencies have the opportunity to apply for available funding through the Community Investment process that begins with filling out the application. Submissions are due before Thursday, December 5, 2024 at 5pm and are available on line at https://www.bcunitedway.org/our-documents or at the Barry County United Way office located at 231 S. Broadway, Hastings, MI 49058.
Each year, over 30 local volunteers on the Community Investment Committee meet with the applicants to evaluate the health and human service care programs, including, how successful they are in improving the lives of our residents through measurable results.
As a result, in 2026 over 68,000 times residents of Barry County utilized services of United Way and our partner agencies. This is possible thanks to the many contributions that are made throughout the United Way campaign currently under way in our community. In 2024, we are continuing to see an increased need for the programs and services provided through the 34 programs funded through donor contributions in our community.
“The goal for this year’s campaign of $800,000 is based on what agencies have said they need to continue to provide programming in our community” states Courtney Collison, Community Investment Chairperson. Currently the campaign is at $295,517 or 37% of the goal. If you are interested in participating in the Barry County United Way campaign, please contact the Barry County United Way office at 269-945-4010 or contributions can be accepted on line at https://www.bcunitedway.org/donate. 100% of contributions are distributed throughout our community thanks to the Florence Tyden-Groos Administrative Endowment Fund held by the Barry Community Foundation that covers all administrative costs.
