Michigan 2-1-1

What Michigan 2-1-1 does

Michigan 2-1-1 is a nonprofit information-and-referral service operated as a collaborative of seven regional contact centers across Michigan, providing free, confidential 24/7/365 access to more than 27,000 health and human services programs via phone (211 or 844-875-9211), text (zip code to 898211), online chat, and a searchable web directory at mi211.org. The service is delivered in 180+ languages through bilingual specialists and phone-based interpretation, and is staffed by trained resource specialists following national 211 standards. Michigan 2-1-1 holds the FCC designation for the 211 dialing code within the state and is governed under the coordination of the United Ways of Michigan collaborative.

The underlying technology stack is a curated resource directory with a Community Information Exchange (CIE) platform that supports bi-directional referrals, API integrations for partners such as MI Bridges and the Kinship Care Resource Center, and aggregated service-trend data reporting back to state officials through a Legislative Dashboard. A self-service Organization Portal was launched in June 2025 to enable partner agencies to update listings directly. Service categories span utility, food, housing, transportation, clothing, HIV/STI, breast cancer, grief, home visiting, fall prevention, and newcomer support, with disaster relief as an episodic surge capability (e.g., Northern Michigan flooding, April 2026).

The operating model is funded through a mix of Michigan Legislature appropriations (FY25 total $3.95 million, a $1 million increase), United Ways of Michigan and local United Ways, corporate partnerships (Consumers Energy $5 million in 2026 via 2-1-1 Day, DTE Energy sponsorship), Michigan Department of Health and Human Services collaboration, and Michigan Economic Impact Coalition support. The central entity carries 1-10 employees, with seven regional contact centers operated by partner United Way affiliates covering all of Michigan's 83 counties; end-user service is free and revenue model mechanics are grant/sponsorship-driven rather than subscription or fee-based. Leadership includes President and CEO Jon Mead and VP of Strategy & Innovation Eric Davis, supported by a director-level team covering research, technology, training, partner engagement, service delivery, and database stewardship.

Name

Michigan 2-1-1

Legal name

Michigan 211

Website

https://mi211.org

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Michigan 2-1-1 is a nonprofit, FCC-designated information-and-referral service operating seven regional contact centers that connect Michigan residents free of charge, 24/7 and in 180+ languages, to more than 27,000 health and human services programs statewide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Social Services Information and Referral

NAICS

Social Assistance (624), Health Care and Social Assistance (62), Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities (62412)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Resources, Social Services & Transportation Coordination (HLADALAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Local Public Health & Human Services Administration (BPAIACAK)

Keywords

• Community information referral
• Health human services
• Social services helpline
• Resource database platform
• Nonprofit referral service

Headquarters

HQ city

Lansing

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Government Funding: Michigan 211 receives funding from government sources including Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS). The Michigan Legislature has been a long-time supporter, and funding was recently increased to $3.95 million total in FY25 with a proposed $1 million increase bringing it to that level.
2. Nonprofit/United Way Funding: Funding from United Ways of Michigan and local United Way organizations across the state. Major sponsors include local United Ways, DTE Energy, and Kent County Department of Human Services.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Consumers Energy invested $5 million in nonprofits to provide targeted assistance in 2026 through partnership with Michigan 211. Corporate sponsors like DTE Energy also provide funding support.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels7 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Michigan 2-1-1 is a free, confidential health and human services information and referral service operating 24/7/365 through seven regional contact centers. Residents can access the service by dialing 211, texting their zip code to 898211, using online chat, or searching a curated database of more than 27,000 programs covering housing, food, utilities, healthcare, transportation, and other essential needs. The service is delivered in 180+ languages and supported by a Community Information Exchange (CIE) platform, an Organization Portal for partner agencies, and data dashboards for legislators.

Product overview

Michigan 2-1-1 is a free, confidential information and referral service operating as a network of seven regional contact centers across Michigan. The core offering consists of the 211 Helpline (accessible by phone at 211 or 844-875-9211), Text & Chat support, and a Resource Database & Search tool containing over 27,000 health and human service programs. The organization operates a Community Information Exchange (CIE) platform enabling bi-directional referrals and coordinated care across partner organizations. Service providers access the system via the Organization Portal. The service portfolio spans multiple social need categories including Utility Assistance, Food Assistance, Clothing and Household Goods, Transportation, Housing Assistance, HIV/STI Services, Breast Cancer Support, Grief Resources, Home Visiting Programs, Fall Prevention, and a Newcomer Resource Hub. The organization also provides a Legislative Dashboard for data-driven decision-making. Services are delivered in over 180 languages through trained specialists.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• 211 Helpline Free, confidential telephone service connecting Michigan residents with health and human services resources, available 24/7 by dialing 211 or 844-875-9211.
• Text & Chat Text and online chat support allowing residents to contact 211 via text message to 898211 or live chat with regional centers.
• Resource Database & Search Searchable database of over 27,000 health and human service programs available to Michigan residents, accessible via guided search or full-text search.
• Seven Regional Contact Centers Network of seven regional contact centers staffed with trained specialists providing information, referrals, and advocacy across Michigan's 83 counties.
• Community Information Exchange (CIE) Collaborative ecosystem enabling multidisciplinary network partners to use shared language, a resource database, and integrated technology platform for enhanced community care planning and bi-directional referrals.
• Organization Portal Self-service portal for agencies and service providers to manage their organization information, complete annual reviews, and submit updates to the 211 resource directory.
• Housing Assistance Referrals Referral service connecting residents with emergency shelter, rent/mortgage assistance, housing support programs, home repairs, and accessible housing options.
• Food Assistance Referrals Referral service connecting Michiganders with food pantries, mobile food pantries, SNAP enrollment, community meals, and other nutrition programs.
• Utility Assistance Programs Referral service connecting residents with programs for gas, electric, propane, water, sewer, and telephone/internet bill assistance, including LIHEAP-funded programs.
• Transportation Assistance Referral service connecting residents with free transportation, ride programs, vehicle assistance, and transit support.
• Michigan Newcomer Resource Hub Resource hub for immigrants and refugees providing referrals to public assistance, immigration legal services, healthcare, education, employment, and community support, managed in partnership with the Office of Global Michigan.
• Legislative Dashboard Tool allowing legislators to view community needs data by district, including housing, food, legal services, and healthcare needs, along with referral outcomes.

Quantifiable outcome

• Helped 500,000+ Michiganders find help annually
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

Yes

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• Consumers EnergycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Consumers Energy partnered with Michigan 211 and invested $5 million in nonprofits to provide targeted assistance for energy bills, food, and medical needs for Michigan families facing economic challenges. Part of 2-1-1 Day initiative.
• United Ways of MichigancoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide funding partners that make Michigan 211's work possible. United Ways across Michigan fund regional contact centers and overall operations. MAUW (Michigan Association of United Ways) also supports state house-proposed funding increases.
• Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor state funding partner and collaborator on statewide operations. MDHHS and Michigan 211 produce annual reports (FY25 Annual Report) and work together on public policy initiatives.
• Michigan Economic Impact Coalition (MEIC)supportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide funding partner that supports Michigan 211 operations.
• Michigan Transportation ConnectionsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerStatewide partner that supports Michigan 211 operations.
• UPCAP (Upper Peninsula Commission for Area Progress)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAdministers 211 services for 15 Upper Peninsula counties. Founded in 1978, became designated 211 call center in 2006. Regional resource manager: Melissa Kositzky.
• Gryphon PlacecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorProvides 211 services for Southwest Michigan counties (Allegan, Berrien, Branch, Cass, Calhoun, Kalamazoo, St Joseph, Van Buren). Major sponsors include United Way of Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region. Founded 1974, became designated 211 call center in 2002.
• Central Michigan 2-1-1coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes central Michigan counties (Clinton, Eaton, Genesee, Hillsdale, Ingham, Jackson, Lenawee, Livingston, Monroe, Shiawassee). Partners include local area United Ways and LifeWays Community Mental Health. Originated 2003, designated 211 call center in 2004.
• United Way for Southeastern MichigancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes five Southeast Michigan counties (Lapeer, Macomb, Oakland, Washtenaw, Wayne). Major sponsors include United Way of Lapeer County, United Way of Washtenaw County, and DTE Energy. Became designated call center in 2005.
• 2-1-1 Northeast MichigancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes 23 Northeast Michigan counties. Partners include The Dow Chemical Company, local units of government, and local United Ways. Became designated 211 call center in 2009.
• CALL 2-1-1 (Community Access Line of the Lakeshore)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes Western Michigan counties (Charlevoix, Emmet, Manistee, Missaukee, Muskegon, Ottawa, Wexford). Partners include United Way of the Lakeshore, Greater Ottawa County United Way, and Senior Resources of West Michigan. Launched as Senior Services in 1977, became designated 211 call center in 2005.
• Heart of West Michigan United Way 2-1-1coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorServes 15 counties (Antrim, Barry, Benzie, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Ionia, Kent, Lake, Mason, Mecosta, Montcalm, Newaygo, Oceana, Osceola). Sponsored by Kent County Department of Human Services and Kent County Senior Millage. Providing information and referral since 1968, designated 211 call center in 2002.
• MI BridgescoreTechnology or IntegrationState of Michigan's online option for residents to apply for benefits. MI Bridges partners with Michigan 211 to connect residents with resources. Residents can access community programs and organizations through this partnership.
• Kinship Care Resource CentersupportingTechnology or IntegrationServes kinship care families across Michigan with information and referrals. Has direct access to Michigan 211 Resource Directory via API connection to offer online self-search feature and capture search trend data.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• One Degree: One Degree is a nonprofit that maintains a curated, searchable directory of free and low-cost social services with self-serve web/app access—mirroring Michigan 211's online database at a city-by-city rollout pace. It is comparable in product/mission but operates at a significantly smaller geographic scale and serves as an emerging digital-native peer.

Direct peers

• Findhelp (formerly Aunt Bertha): Findhelp operates the largest digital-first social-services search and referral directory in the U.S., covering essentially the same need categories as Michigan 211 (housing, food, utilities, healthcare). It is the closest direct competitor on product, target users, and mission, with significantly broader digital reach and a more modern UX.
• Unite Us: Unite Us operates a CIE/network-of-care platform that connects health and social service providers through bi-directional referrals and shared outcomes tracking. Michigan 211's CIE platform addresses the same SDOH coordination need but with a statewide, government-anchored model rather than Unite Us's payer-anchored SaaS approach.
• Crisis Text Line: Crisis Text Line operates a free, confidential, 24/7 multi-channel (text, chat) support service staffed by trained volunteers—matching Michigan 211's free, confidential, multilingual, 24/7 contact-center model. It overlaps in delivery mechanism and target population but focuses on mental-health crisis intervention rather than social-services referral.
• WellSky Social Care (formerly Healthify): WellSky Social Care (built on the Healthify acquisition) provides an SDOH referral and CIE platform serving health plans, providers, and community-based organizations. It competes with Michigan 211's CIE for the same healthcare-payer and provider partners looking to operationalize social-care referrals.
• Benefits Data Trust: Benefits Data Trust is a nonprofit that helps individuals apply for and maintain public benefits using data-driven outreach and screening tools. It addresses the same benefits-navigation and enrollment problem as Michigan 211 but with a tech-enabled, application-completion focus rather than referral-and-database model.
• 211 San Diego (211 San Diego County): 211 San Diego is a regional 211 operator serving San Diego County with database-driven I&R services, CIE partnerships, and legislative data reporting. It is the most direct same-model peer to Michigan 211, differing only in geography and county (versus state) scope.

Broad incumbents

• United Way Worldwide: United Way Worldwide coordinates the national 211 system that Michigan 211 belongs to and is the umbrella organization for Michigan's regional contact centers. It is a broad incumbent that touches Michigan 211's funding, governance, and brand but operates at national scale rather than as a direct state-level competitor.

Others

• Modivcare (formerly Circulation): Modivcare acquired Circulation, a digital healthcare/SDOH coordination platform that connects patients to non-emergency medical transportation and community resources. It is adjacent rather than directly competitive—it overlaps the SDOH-ecosystem theme and competes for the same healthcare-payer dollars backing CIE platforms.

Regional players

• NYC 311: NYC 311 is a municipal information and non-emergency services line serving New York City residents with phone, app, and web channels. It overlaps Michigan 211 in function (multi-channel citizen information access) but is operated by city government rather than a United Way/nonprofit collaborative, and is not a private competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights8 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@MI211
• Facebookfacebook.com/MI211
• Xx.com/mi211

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 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 Michigan 2-1-1