United Way of Midland County’s community campaign will be continuing into November. They are encouraged by the outpouring of support thus far and are reporting pledges totaling $3,383,542 raised, which represents 74% of the overall campaign goal of $4.6 million.
In addition to individuals, retirees, local businesses, corporations and nonprofits, United Way receives generous support from local foundations as well.
The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation awarded United Way of Midland County a grant of $1,000,000 that matches 50¢ for each dollar invested for first-time donors or those who sustain or increase their gift to United Way of Midland County during the 2023 and 2024 annual fundraising campaigns.
“Our Trustees are honored to continue their investment in the vision that United Way created to unite our community,” shared Dr. Ruth Alden Doan, president and trustee of The Herbert H. and Grace A. Dow Foundation. “Earlier this fall, I joined an Impact Tour to learn more about key issue areas in our community including mental health, stable housing, and childcare. I was inspired by the work being done by United Way and their partners and am thankful that we have experts in these fields strategizing on how to ensure our neighbors have the resources they need. We are proud to be able to sustain this vital work by providing matching dollars to support gifts made by donors that share that vision.”
The Foundation was established by Grace A. Dow, in memory of her husband Dr. Herbert H. Dow, “for religious, charitable, scientific, literary, or educational purposes for the public benefaction of the inhabitants of the said City of Midland and of the people of the State of Michigan.”
“We celebrate our partnership with the Foundation along with their generosity and trust,” shared Holly Miller, President & CEO of Midland County. “As a key partner in our work, their generous yearly support is vital to sustaining the programs and services offered by our non-profit partners. Because of their matching contribution, our donors’ dollars will go further, creating a ripple effect of impact within the community. We are so grateful.”
Miller added that several long-standing United Way partners recently launched or will be launching their workplace campaigns, including Great Lakes Loons, Members First Credit Union, Midland Business Alliance and many others.

Family and Children’s Services wrapped up their silent auction and soup cookoff, and eleven United Way partners joined together to celebrate the campaign sharing a delicious meal and good conversation at the annual Partner Picnic.

Greater Michigan Construction Academy is a loyal supporter of United Way and raised more than last year to generate impact in our community.

In addition to hosting a variety of special events throughout their employee campaign, the City of Midland will host a volunteer project as part of their upcoming in-service day. Staff members from across the City will come together, to build 1000 chili meal kits for the ReGrow Together program. Kits will be distributed through United Way partner agencies and provide easy-to-make meals to neighbors throughout Midland County.

Young Leaders United Executive Council members are hosting several events this fall to encourage other young professionals to learn more about the group. Their next event is on Friday, November 1st at Amazing Deli. 10% of sales during the event will be donated back to vital community programs. Join Tara, Kristen, and Amanda to hear about the impactful volunteer and learning events they host throughout the year.

United Way’s issue area focus this week is access to healthy food.

Access to Healthy Food is one of the fifteen issue areas that United Way of Midland County focuses on. United Way believes that everyone should have access to healthy food, and they invest in programs that help provide healthy, affordable food to those that need it most.
United Way is also the backbone for the collective impact project, ReGrow Together. This innovative, scalable solution leverages rescued surplus ingredients from partners Hidden Harvest, Phoenix Community Farm, Midland County Food Assistance Network and Food Bank of Eastern Michigan to create healthy meals, constructed by culinary programs at Windover High School, Coleman High School and Arnold Center. Meals are distributed through nonprofit partners Greater Midland Coleman Family Center, Greater Midland North Family Center and West Midland Family Center where people connect with other vital resources and support.
The program combines community outreach, and workforce development and empowers people to eat and live better to improve many aspects of their lives. It brings healthy food to homes that might otherwise have nothing to eat or rely on low-quality, unhealthy alternatives. To date, 40,000 meals have been distributed throughout Midland County. To learn more about this program visit regrowtogether.org.
The 2024 United Way campaign will continue through the fall and everyone is invited to be a part of it. To learn more about community needs, how dollars are invested for change, read an impact story, or find help, you can visit unitedwaymidland.org/2024campaign.