United Way of Montcalm-Ionia Counties

United Way brings people together to build strong, equitable communities where everyone can thrive as one of the worlds largest privately funded charities, making life better for those in Montcalm and Ionia Counties every year. United Way communities tackle tough challenges and work with private, public, and nonprofit partners to boost education, economic mobility, health resources, and basic needs. This is done by mobilizing human and financial resources to positively impact our neighbors education, financial stability, and physical & emotional health. Assess community needs: provide outcome measurement training to various entities in the community; provide program assessment, review, and selection, administer grants, provide financial and stewardship oversight of grant recipients and participate in community partnerships including 211 database management and management of our volunteer center to advance common goals in the focused areas mentioned above.

Significant milestones this past year include playing a pivotal role in expanding the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) ensuring an average of $1,000 in income support for working parents of two children. We gave nearly 120,000 diapers to families in need. Local food pantries received 60,000 meals going to local food pantries. 16,117 pounds of food going to food-insecure children and homebound seniors. Nearly 248,000 feminine hygiene products have been provided to area schools. Hosted a property simulator for the community and our 4th annual Community Leaders Conference on Housing.

IRS Volunteer Return Preparation VITA: Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Saved community members $58,000 in estimated tax preparation fees through our Volunteer Income Assistance Program. Preparing and filing household taxes can be confusing and when filing on their own many people may miss credits for which they are eligible or be unable to file altogether. Additionally, many households cannot afford to spend part of their tax refund on costly tax preparation fees. For individuals and families making less than $57,000, the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program has a team of IRS certified volunteers to provide free, high-quality tax return preparation, ensuring clients receive all eligible tax credits and deductions.