Urban League of West Michigan

What Urban League of West Michigan does

Urban League of West Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1942 and headquartered at 745 Eastern Avenue SE in Grand Rapids, Michigan. It is the second largest of the National Urban League's 100 affiliates across 36 states and the District of Columbia, and since a 2021 rebrand has served Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties in West Michigan. The organization delivers multi-vertical social services through four centers: Employment and Workforce Development (assessment, counseling, placement, including One Workforce), Education Innovation and Parent Empowerment (parent advocacy, Opportunity Line warm-line, Educational Success Toolkit, College Bound guides), Housing and Community Development (HUD-approved foreclosure prevention, mortgage delinquency, landlord/tenant counseling), and Entrepreneur Success and Business Development (Capital Access Fund and Opportunity Empowered partnerships). Supplemental offerings include the PSST anti-smoking initiative, the Let's Go Get Active child-care health program, the 10 Wealth for Life Principles financial literacy curriculum, and a Youth Employment Development program for ages 13-24 that includes a 3-Day Success Session with a $150 training stipend.

The business model is a community-funded nonprofit, not a commercial enterprise. Services are delivered free of charge to individual clients (job seekers, parents, students, renters, homeowners, youth), and the organization is funded through donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations, government and foundation grants (including a General Mills Foundation Champions for Healthy Kids grant), employer partnership services for workforce development, and a high-visibility annual MLK Day Corporate Breakfast fundraiser that in 2025 reached its 25th year as a sold-out event. Go-to-market operates through direct service delivery at the Grand Rapids headquarters, partnerships with employers, schools, and universities (GVSU, Davenport University), housing authorities (MSHDA), and regional health and corporate institutions (Corewell Health, Steelcase, Mercantile Bank, The Right Place, Housing Kent). Annual revenue is not disclosed; the most recent verifiable operational benchmark is an annual operating budget that grew from under $200,000 to over $2 million during Dr. Walter M. Brame's tenure, with current headcount of 11-50 employees under an executive team led by President and CEO Eric D. Brown since October 2021.

Name

Urban League of West Michigan

Legal name

Grand Rapids Urban League, Inc.

Website

https://grurbanleague.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1942

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Urban League of West Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1942 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, serving African Americans, minorities, and low-income residents across Kent, Muskegon, and Ottawa Counties through four centers focused on employment, education, housing, and small business development.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

NAICS

Civic and Social Organizations (81341), Other Community Housing Services (624229)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Community Centers & Neighborhood Support Services (BPAGAEAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts) (BPAGALAC), Housing Development, Construction & Rehabilitation Programs (BPAIANAB)

Keywords

• Workforce development services
• Housing counseling services
• Youth employment programs
• Financial literacy education
• Community development services

Headquarters

HQ city

Grand Rapids

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Tax-deductible donations from individuals, corporations, and foundations supporting the League's infrastructure and programs in employment, housing, education, and health
2. Government and Foundation Grants: Grant funding from government agencies and foundations such as General Mills Foundation Champions for Healthy Kids program for health initiatives
3. Employer Partnership Services: Workforce development services provided to employers including recruitment, referral, and retention support

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The Urban League of West Michigan is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that delivers free community-based services across four centers: employment and workforce development (job assessment, counseling, placement, retention), education innovation and parent empowerment (parent advocacy, educational advising, Opportunity Line warm-line, toolkits), housing and community development (HUD-approved foreclosure prevention, mortgage delinquency counseling, landlord/tenant mediation), and entrepreneur success and business development (Capital Access Fund, Opportunity Empowered). It also runs health programs, youth employment development, and a financial literacy curriculum.

Product overview

The Urban League of West Michigan operates as a multi-service non-profit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of community programs organized into four primary Centers: the Center for Employment and Workforce Development (providing job readiness, counseling, and placement services), the Center for Education Innovation and Parent Empowerment (offering parent advocacy, educational advising, and the Educational Success Toolkit), the Center for Housing and Community Development (providing foreclosure prevention and tenant counseling), and the Center for Entrepreneur Success and Business Development. Additional offerings include health programs (PSST anti-smoking and Let's Go Get Active), youth employment development resources, the 10 Wealth for Life Principles financial literacy program, and the Opportunity Line warm-line for parent advocacy. The organization functions as a single unified non-profit service provider rather than a technology product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Center for Employment and Workforce Development: Provides employment assessment, counseling, placement services, and partnership services for employers.
• Center for Housing and Community Development
• Center for Education Innovation and Parent Empowerment
• Center for Entrepreneur Success and Business Development

Products and services

• Center for Employment and Workforce Development Provides employment assessment, counseling, placement services, recruitment, referral, and retention support to help job seekers achieve career success and help employers meet workforce needs.
• Center for Education Innovation and Parent Empowerment Works to systemically address barriers to success for students in the Greater Grand Rapids area and West Michigan through parent advocacy, educational advising, parent empowerment programs, and community partnerships.
• Center for Housing and Community Development HUD-approved housing counseling services including foreclosure prevention, mortgage delinquency counseling, landlord/tenant affairs, and rental delinquency support for renters, homeowners, and property owners.
• Center for Entrepreneur Success and Business Development Supports the creation and growth of minority-owned businesses through the Capital Access Fund partnership and provides business development resources.
• Let's Go Get Active Program Health initiative that equips family child care providers with training and tools to increase physical activity in young children, promoting strong bones, muscles, and healthy development.
• PSST Please Stop Smoking Today Anti-smoking initiative that provides resources, training, and support to help community members quit smoking and maintain smoke-free homes.
• Youth Employment Development Program Provides free resources, tips, and guidance for youth and young adults (ages 13-24) to make smart employment and career decisions, including goal setting, resume building, job application assistance, and interview preparation.
• The 10 Wealth for Life Principles Financial literacy program teaching principles of wealth building including living within means, maximizing income through education, managing budget and credit, saving, homeownership, investment planning, and estate planning.
• Educational Success Toolkit Resource developed with National Urban League and General Mills Box Tops for Education to help parents take an active role in their children's educational pursuits.
• Opportunity Line Warm line service where parents can call for assistance with educational issues including tutoring access, disciplinary hearings, special education team meetings, and school system navigation.
• 3-Day Success Session Three-day session for youth that provides individual action plans, vision boards, resumes, mentor/coach access, and a $150 training stipend upon completion.
• One Workforce Program Workforce development program designed to connect job seekers with employment opportunities and training resources.
• College Bound Application Guide Educational resource providing guidance on the college application process including planning, task management, college connections, admission applications, and financial aid assistance.

Quantifiable outcome

• 90% of Urban League's Family Child Care Homes are smoke free 24/7
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and supporting.

• National Urban LeaguecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization providing leadership, resources, and national program standards. The Urban League of West Michigan is one of 100 affiliates in 36 states and DC, and the second largest affiliate in Michigan.
• General Mills FoundationcoreOthersAwarded Champions for Healthy Kids grant to support the Let's Go, Get Active program, which equips family child care providers with training to increase physical activity in young children.
• The Right PlacemajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerRegional economic development organization; Randy Thelen, President and CEO participated in MLK Day 2025 fireside chat panel discussing equality and justice initiatives.
• Housing KentmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHousing advocacy organization; Eureka People, President, participated in MLK Day 2025 fireside chat panel on housing equity.
• Grand Valley State University (GVSU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor educational partner; Dr. Philomena Mantella (President) received Presidential Leadership Award; Dr. Robert Shorty (VP for People, Equity, and Culture) participated in panel; GVSU Master's in Urban Education program hosts Urban League staff as guest lecturers.
• Davenport UniversitysupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerUrban League staff deliver guest lectures in Davenport University's Master of Urban Education program; educational guidance and referrals provided to students.
• LINC UPsupportingOthersNon-profit housing corporation where CEO Eric D. Brown previously served as Finance Director, demonstrating relevant housing and nonprofit sector experience.
• Heart of West Michigan United WaysupportingOthersRegional United Way where CEO Eric D. Brown previously served as Sr. Director of Business Strategies, demonstrating experience with diverse institutions.
• West Michigan Minority Contractors AssociationsupportingOthersEric D. Brown served as first President of this association, demonstrating commitment to minority business development.
• Capital Access FundcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerInitiative supporting capital access for entrepreneurs and small businesses; linked through Entreprenuer Success Center to provide financial resources to minority business owners.
• Opportunity EmpoweredcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEconomic empowerment initiative collaborating with the Urban League to provide pathways to economic self-reliance for minorities and disadvantaged populations.
• Equitable Development InitiativecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerExternal initiative focused on equitable development; linked as a partner organization working toward systemic changes that eliminate racism.
• Corewell HealthmajorGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional health system; Carlos Cubia (Corewell Health) provided greetings at MLK Day 2025 Corporate Breakfast.
• Steelcase, Inc.majorGTM or Marketing PartnerGlobal office furniture company; Sara Armbruster (Steelcase) provided greetings at MLK Day 2025 Corporate Breakfast.
• Mercantile BanksupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerRegional bank; Sonali Allen (Mercantile Bank) provided greetings at MLK Day 2025 Corporate Breakfast.
• MSHDA (Michigan State Housing Development Authority)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerState housing authority providing information through Michigan Housing Locator for apartment searches; HUD-approved counseling services supported by state partnerships.
• Rental Property Owners AssociationsupportingChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPublishes weekly rental guide for greater Grand Rapids area; referred on housing page to help clients find apartments.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• National Urban League: The parent network of which Urban League of West Michigan is one of 100 affiliates across 36 states and DC. Provides national program standards, branding, and resources that the West Michigan affiliate operates within.

Direct peers

• Inner City Christian Federation (ICCF): Grand Rapids nonprofit providing housing counseling, homeownership education, and community development. Directly comparable to the Center for Housing and Community Development's foreclosure prevention and homeowner services.
• Detroit Urban League: Fellow Michigan-based Urban League affiliate operating employment, education, housing, and economic empowerment programs. Directly comparable mission and four-center service model in a larger Michigan metro.
• Urban League of Greater Cleveland: Midwestern Urban League affiliate operating comparable employment, education, housing, and economic empowerment programs. Useful peer for benchmarking programmatic scale and impact in similar Rust Belt demographics.
• Mel Trotter Ministries: Grand Rapids-based social services nonprofit addressing housing instability, family support, and emergency assistance. Directly comparable mission in the same geographic market for housing and family services.
• Grand Rapids Community Foundation: Local grantmaking and community development organization serving Kent County. Comparable community-impact mission and overlapping donor/funder ecosystem with Urban League programs.
• Goodwill of Greater Grand Rapids: Regional nonprofit delivering workforce development, job training, and placement services in the same West Michigan geography. Directly comparable employment and youth development programming to the Center for Employment and Workforce Development.
• Heart of West Michigan United Way: Regional community services and fundraising organization covering overlapping Kent County territory. Comparable funder/convener role in West Michigan, and CEO Eric D. Brown's prior employer.
• LINC UP: Grand Rapids-area nonprofit housing corporation providing community development services. Direct overlap with the Center for Housing and Community Development, and CEO Eric D. Brown's prior employer.
• NAACP Grand Rapids Branch: Local branch of national civil rights organization addressing racial equity, education, and economic empowerment in Grand Rapids. Overlapping mission in advocacy and minority community support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/UrbanLeagueGR
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/urban-league-of-west-michigan

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 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 Urban League of West Michigan