United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Name

United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Legal name

United Way for Southeastern Michigan

Website

https://unitedwaysem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1923

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Social Services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Emergency and Other Relief Services (62423), Community Housing Services (62422)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services (BPAGAEAB), Mental Health & Crisis Support Services (BPAGAEAH)

Keywords

• Community social services
• Nonprofit fundraising
• Emergency assistance programs
• Workplace giving campaigns
• Community resource referral

Headquarters

HQ city

Detroit

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: Individual donors contribute through various giving channels including one-time donations, recurring gifts, and workplace giving campaigns.
2. Corporate Partnerships and Sponsorships: Corporate sponsors provide financial support in exchange for event recognition, logo placement, and association with community impact initiatives.
3. Grant Investments to Nonprofits: United Way distributes grant funding to 91 nonprofit organizations across the four-county region, funded by donor contributions and public-private partnerships. The 2026 investment totaled $4.3 million.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

United Way for Southeastern Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that mobilizes donors, corporate partners, and volunteers to deliver direct social services across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties. Core offerings include the 24/7 211 Helpline for resource navigation, free tax preparation through VITA-certified partners, utility bill assistance, youth education and STEM programs, and emergency basic-needs support for ALICE households. The organization also distributes grant funding to 91 partner nonprofits and runs workplace giving campaigns with hundreds of corporate sponsors.

Product overview

United Way for Southeastern Michigan operates as a nonprofit social service organization offering a portfolio of interconnected community programs rather than a unified technology product. The core services include the 211 Helpline for resource navigation, Utility Assistance for energy and water bills, and Tax Preparation Assistance (Get The Tax Facts). Youth and family programs include Creating Youth Opportunity with components like Community Schools, Makerspaces, STEMPossible events, Connect4Care™ Kids, ParentPowered text messaging, DiscoverWorks career programs, and Building Foundations early childhood initiatives. Emergency and stability services are delivered through Meeting Basic Needs programs including food access, housing support, and crisis intervention. These programs work together to help families move from crisis to stability and from stability to prosperity across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• 211 Helpline: 24/7 helpline connecting residents to community resources including housing, utility assistance, and more
• Connect4Care™ (C4C™)
• Tech United
• Rx Kids Ambassador

Products and services

• 211 Helpline 24/7 community resource hotline connecting individuals and families to local services including housing assistance, utility help, food access, and other essential community support services.
• Utility Assistance Programs providing financial assistance for utility bills including water (WRAP and HAP programs for Oakland and Washtenaw counties) and energy assistance (MEAP).
• Get The Tax Facts (Tax Preparation Assistance) Free tax preparation services delivered through partnership with Accounting Aid Society and Wayne Metro, helping residents earning up to $69,000 access free expert tax filing and claim credits like EITC and Child Tax Credit.
• Creating Youth Opportunity Youth development programs focusing on early childhood education, literacy, STEM opportunities, and out-of-school time programming for children in Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties.
• Meeting Basic Needs Emergency assistance programs addressing food security, housing stability, crisis intervention, and wraparound support services for ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed) households.
• Community Investments (Grants to Nonprofits) Grant funding distributed to 91 nonprofit organizations across Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, and Wayne counties, funded by donor contributions and public-private partnerships. The 2026 investment totaled $4.3 million.
• Corporate Workplace Giving Campaigns Employee workplace giving campaigns through hundreds of corporate partners enabling payroll deductions for donations, volunteer engagement, and event sponsorships.

Quantifiable outcome

• 153K+ calls answered by 211 helpline in 2024
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

33 partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.

• The Corner HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity health center in Ypsilanti working directly with families in difficulty, providing health and wellness services and culturally responsive support including basic needs assistance and family support.
• Catholic Charities of Southeastern Michigan - La Casa AmigacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganization in Pontiac providing culturally responsive services including basic needs assistance and family support to families in crisis and transition.
• Accounting Aid SocietycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIRS-certified nonprofit providing free tax preparation services, helping over 21,000 metro Detroiters claim more than $30 million in tax refunds.
• Wayne MetrocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity action agency partner providing tax preparation assistance and utility assistance (WRAP program) for Wayne County residents.
• Rx KidscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst national prenatal and infant cash prescription program. United Way serves as Regional Ambassador, helping expand awareness and community engagement for the program providing $1,500 during pregnancy and $500 monthly payments after birth.
• Michigan State UniversitycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeadership and academic expertise for Rx Kids program, under the direction of the Pediatric Public Health Initiative.
• GiveDirectlycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerWorld leader in cash transfers, administering the Rx Kids program payments to eligible families.
• City of DetroitcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Connect 313, an initiative to increase technology access for Detroit residents, distributing 75,000 devices and installing 22 tech hubs.
• Rocket CompaniescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Connect 313 initiative to bridge the digital divide in Detroit.
• MicrosoftcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCo-founder of Connect 313 initiative supporting technology access for underserved communities.
• BorgWarnercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate sponsor of makerspace STEM labs, with headquarters near Pontiac. Volunteers dedicated over 180 hours to creating makerspace at Pontiac Academy for Excellence.
• Tata TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCorporate co-sponsor of makerspace at Pontiac Academy for Excellence. 23 volunteers participated in 5 days of service creating the STEM lab.
• Tech UnitedcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAffinity group of CIOs and IT professionals committed to closing the digital divide. Raised over $246,000 for technology access and distributed 446 Dell Chromebooks to students.
• DTE EnergymajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor and partner providing utility assistance programs including energy efficiency tips and support for customers.
• ComericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting United Way events and programs, including volunteer activities and community initiatives.
• General MotorsmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting STEM events, workforce development, and community programs.
• StellantismajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community events and youth opportunity programs.
• Ally FinancialmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting United Way initiatives and community programs.
• Bank of AmericamajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting United Way community investment and workplace campaigns.
• Blue Cross Blue Shield of MichiganmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting health-related community programs and initiatives.
• DeloittemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community initiatives and professional services.
• AccenturemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community programs and initiatives.
• PNCmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community investment and financial empowerment programs.
• Henry Ford HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting health-related community programs.
• Rocket MortgagemajorGTM or Marketing PartnerCorporate sponsor supporting community initiatives and Connect 313 digital equity program.
• Michigan Science CentercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost venue for STEMpossible events bringing nearly 700 fourth and fifth graders for interactive STEM learning experiences.
• Human I.T.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner accepting donated technology and providing e-waste services for technology recycling programs.
• Ernst & Young (EY)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsor of Innovation Lab at Ann Visger Preparatory Academy.
• STG (Systems Technology Group)majorGTM or Marketing PartnerLead sponsor of STEMpossible event, CEO Anup Popat serves as President of Tech United.
• Stevenson Elementary SchoolcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity school with makerspace funded through Community Schools grant and corporate partner support. Serves students in Southfield.
• Ann Visger Preparatory AcademycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity school with Innovation Lab in River Rouge, serving students and families with STEM learning experiences.
• WAVE (Western-Washtenaw)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity connector organization providing transportation and access services for Western Washtenaw residents.
• Furniture Bank of Southeastern MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner ensuring families live in properly furnished homes by providing beds, furniture, and household items to those in need.

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• United Way of Central Ohio: Regional United Way chapter with similar size and program breadth, including 211, basic-needs funding, education initiatives and corporate workplace campaigns; serves as a useful programming and outcomes comparator.
• United Way of Greater Cleveland: Mid-sized regional United Way chapter serving multiple counties in Northeast Ohio; comparable scale, structure, donor model, and ALICE-type community focus, making it a near-direct parallel for performance and regional community impact.
• United Way of Greater Atlanta: Large regional United Way chapter serving metro Atlanta; comparable donor base, corporate workplace giving, 211 helpline operations, and child/youth education focus, closely matched on revenue scale and program mix.
• Mile High United Way: Denver-area United Way chapter with comparable regional scope, 211 helpline, ALICE-style financial stability work, and youth opportunity programs; closely matched in mission and operating structure.
• Heart of Florida United Way: Regional United Way serving Central Florida with similar 211 helpline, ALICE-style needs work, workplace campaigns, and youth programs; tightly comparable operational footprint and donor mix.

Others

• Feeding America: National anti-hunger organization with many of the same nonprofit partners (food banks) and corporate donors (e.g., GM, DTE) as UWSEM; adjacent, enabling peer in basic-needs space rather than direct competitor.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: National umbrella organization operating 1,200+ United Way chapters; UWSEM operates cooperatively with but financially independently of UWW, making it the defining structural peer for brand, mission, and donor patterns.
• United Way of Greater Los Angeles: Larger California-based United Way chapter with overlapping service portfolio (housing stability, youth development, financial empowerment, 211); serves as a scale reference for programming expansion paths and corporate partnership strategy.
• United Way of New York City: Larger New York City-based United Way chapter; operates many of the same service categories (211, basic needs, tax prep, youth programs) at substantially greater scale, providing an enterprise-scale reference for programming depth and corporate engagement.

Regional players

• Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan: Regional community foundation operating in the same four-county SEMI footprint; both raise and deploy philanthropic capital locally, but CFSEM focuses on endowments and competitive grants, making it a partial donor-competition peer rather than direct service peer.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/unitedwaySEM
• Facebookfacebook.com/UnitedWaySEM
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unitedwaysem
• Instagraminstagram.com/unitedwaysem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about United Way for Southeastern Michigan