Community Impact Fund

Community Impact Fund is sponsored by United Way of St. Joseph County. United Way of St.

Joseph County provides strategic grants and funding to local nonprofit partners in St. Joseph County.

Home - United Way Of St. Joseph Thrive in St. Joseph County We fight for the education, health, and financial stability of every person in our community because when families thrive, our community becomes stronger.

From food insecurity to mental health, we partner with local agencies to ensure families get the support they need when they need it most. Every child deserves a strong start. We support programs that prepare children for kindergarten and lifelong success.

When crisis strikes, we're here. We connect families facing emergencies with essential resources from food and shelter to utility assistance providing immediate relief and pathways to stability. Breaking the cycle of poverty requires more than assistance it requires opportunity.

We help individuals and families build financial skills, access job training, and develop the stability needed to move from surviving to thriving. In 2024 United Way supported 17 local non profits with Grant funding. United Way provides support for the following programs: People Gotta Eat (PGE), Team HEAT, Project Dash and K Camps.

United Way of St. Joseph County amplifies impact by partnering with over 100 nonprofits to collaboratively tackle community challenges. United Way serves as a connector of volunteer opportunities in the community ranging from individual experiences to large scale projects.

United Way connects individuals to resources such as utility assistance, rent assistance, transportation needs, food and groceries and other critical needs. Over a Century of Community Impact Since 1914, United Way of St. Joseph County has evolved and adapted to meet our community’s changing needs, transforming from a traditional charity into a catalyst for collaborative change.

1914-1950s: Our Foundation Founded in 1914 with an amount of $18,058 in funds, United Way of St. Joseph County began as a traditional charity focused on coordinating fundraising efforts for local organizations. Our early years established the foundation of community collaboration that remains central to our mission today.

1960s-1980s: Expanding Our Reach During these decades, we expanded our scope and deepened our community partnerships, recognizing that fighting poverty required more than individual charity—it needed systematic, collaborative approaches to address root causes. During this time, United Health Services and REAL Services were established.

1990s-2000s: Data-Driven Impact We pioneered the use of community needs assessments and outcome measurement, shifting from simply funding organizations to strategically investing in programs that demonstrate measurable results and lasting change. 2010s-Present: Innovation & OneRoof We launched our groundbreaking OneRoof initiative in 2022, creating comprehensive neighborhood centers that bring services under one roof.

This represents our evolution into a leader in place-based community development and wraparound services. Mishawaka is established as a second location with conversation about a third center returning to South Bend in the Northwest neighborhood. Looking Forward: Sustainable Change Today, we continue adapting our approach, leveraging over $122 million in community investment experience to build resilient, collaborative solutions for St.

Joseph County’s future. Your Gift Is the First Step Your donation helps fund local programs that support early childhood education, family stability, and mental wellness. Together, we can create a stronger St.

Joseph County one family at a time. Dummy text of the printing. Dummy text of the printing.

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Donating to United Way is one small way I can give back and make sure others have a chance to get back on their feet. I know life can change in an instant — job loss, illness, unexpected bills — and no one should have to go through that without support. Giving through United Way lets me be part of the solution, right here in our community.

United Way of St. Joseph County Announces Leadership Transition United Way of St. Joseph County (UWSJC) announced President and CEO Mark P.

Herriman will United We Create Lasting Change