UNITED WAY OF MONROE-LENAWEE COUNTIES INC

What UNITED WAY OF MONROE-LENAWEE COUNTIES INC does

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization founded in 1926 that functions as a local philanthropic federation and funding intermediary for Monroe and Lenawee Counties in southeastern Michigan. The organization operates two physical offices — its headquarters at 216 N Monroe St, Monroe, MI, and a Lenawee County office at 136 East Maumee St in Adrian — and runs a small staff under Executive Director Laura Schultz Pipis. Its core activities center on conducting annual workplace fundraising campaigns that engage 300+ local businesses and organizations across the two counties, supplemented by individual donations, recurring monthly/quarterly subscriptions, designated funds (Education, Health, Financial Stability, COVID-19 Support, Project Ramp), and corporate match challenges such as the $100,000 La-Z-Boy match program. Revenue mechanics are a nonprofit giving model: donations are solicited through workplace pledges (paper or online), online portals, phone, and mail, then allocated across the organization's programs and a network of 22 vetted community partner agencies.

The organization's product and program surface spans referral, education, health, financial stability, accessibility, and community-recognition domains. The flagship service is the 24/7 211 Monroe/Lenawee County health and human services referral hotline, hosted at Lifeways Community Mental Health in Jackson and funded by United Way. Programmatic offerings include Education Programs (kindergarten readiness, Born Learning parent education, early literacy), Health Programs (mental health, case management, direct medical access), Project Ramp (wheelchair ramp construction since 1990, expanded to Lenawee County in 2019), the ALICE initiative addressing asset-limited income-constrained employed households, the Child Advocacy Network (CAN) of Monroe County (a fiduciary partner preventing child abuse), the Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition, Volunteer Coordination, and the Everyday Heroes recognition awards. The underlying technology stack is minimal: the website is built by an external vendor (OneEach Technologies), there is no proprietary platform, no app, and no disclosed API or AI/ML capabilities.

The business model is a community-funded intermediary structure. Customer segments are twofold: (1) donors — primarily local workplaces running annual campaigns and individual recurring givers at tiers ranging from $5/month to $1,250/quarter, plus anchor corporate partners such as La-Z-Boy, ProMedica, First Merchants Bank, DTE Fermi II, and Michigan Gas Utilities; and (2) downstream beneficiaries served through 22 partner agencies (American Red Cross, Bedford Senior Center, Child Care Network, Monroe Cancer Connection, The Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity Lenawee, and others) reaching approximately 35,000 residents annually. The organization is governed by a Board of Directors drawn from local business, healthcare, labor, education, and government sectors, has no parent company, no subsidiaries, and no equity ownership structure. It also maintains a deep, formalized 75+ year strategic partnership with the Monroe/Lenawee AFL-CIO Central Labor Council and Michigan AFL-CIO, including an embedded AFL-CIO Community Service Liaison role.

Name

UNITED WAY OF MONROE-LENAWEE COUNTIES INC

Legal name

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties

Website

https://unitedwaymlc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1926

Operating status

Operating

Short description

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties Inc is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit philanthropic federation founded in 1926 that conducts workplace giving campaigns and distributes funds across a network of 22 community partner agencies serving approximately 35,000 residents annually in Monroe and Lenawee Counties, Michigan.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Philanthropy and Human Services

NAICS

Other Individual and Family Services (624190), Community Housing Services (62422), Child and Youth Services (624110)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Health Services (8000)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYBPAGALAC

Affordable Housing & Community Development (Housing, Community Land Trusts)

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Enterprises & Impact Organizations

SECONDARYBPAGAEAB

Housing Assistance & Homeless Services

Business & Public Services/Nonprofit, NGO & Social Services/Social Services & Community Support (Food, Housing, Family)

Keywords

• Community fundraising campaigns
• Human services referral
• Nonprofit partner agencies
• Workplace giving programs
• Community impact initiatives

Headquarters

HQ city

Monroe

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Fundraising Campaigns: Primary revenue from annual fundraising campaigns including workplace giving programs, individual donations, and corporate sponsorships. Supports local nonprofit partner agencies through allocated funding.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that conducts annual workplace and community fundraising campaigns and allocates the proceeds to a network of 22 vetted partner agencies delivering health, education, and human services programs across Monroe and Lenawee Counties in Michigan. It also operates the 2-1-1 referral hotline connecting residents with critical resources and runs direct programs including Project Ramp (accessibility ramp construction), ALICE (financial stability advocacy), the Child Advocacy Network, and the Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition.

Product overview

United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties is a nonprofit federation that operates a collection of community service programs rather than a unified software platform. The core offering centers on the 211 health and human services referral hotline, annual fundraising campaigns, and grant distribution to a network of 22 partner agencies. Supporting programs include Project Ramp (accessibility ramps), the ALICE awareness initiative, Child Advocacy Network, and Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition. Education and health programs address community needs, while volunteer coordination and organized labor partnerships extend reach. The organization functions as a philanthropic intermediary connecting donors, volunteers, and community resources rather than offering technology products.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Project Ramp: A program established in 1990 to help create accessible homes for all in Monroe/Lenawee Counties by building wheelchair ramps for residents who need barrier-free access.
• ALICE
• Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition
• Child Advocacy Network (CAN) of Monroe County

Products and services

• 211 Monroe/Lenawee County Referral Service A toll-free health and human services referral hotline available 24/7, connecting Monroe and Lenawee County residents with critical resources including housing, food, healthcare, and utility assistance. Call center hosted at Lifeways Community Mental Health in Jackson.
• Annual Campaign Workplace and community fundraising campaigns engaging 300+ local businesses and organizations to support health and human service programs in Monroe and Lenawee Counties; campaigns can be shaped around each organization's culture with paper or online pledging.
• Education Programs Initiatives focused on kindergarten readiness, early childhood education support, and parent education programs like Born Learning to help children develop foundational academic and social skills.
• Health Programs Funding and partnership with agencies to increase access to healthcare including mental health, case management, and direct medical care, working with local health departments to track community health needs.
• Partner Agency Network A network of 22 community partner nonprofits that have met eligibility criteria to receive funding from annual campaign proceeds, serving over 35,000 people in Monroe and Lenawee Counties.
• Project Ramp Program that builds wheelchair accessibility ramps for residents in Monroe and Lenawee Counties in partnership with the AFL-CIO Central Labor Council, providing both wooden permanent ramps and reusable aluminum temporary ramps.
• ALICE Program Awareness and advocacy program addressing Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households - individuals who earn above the Federal Poverty Level but cannot afford basic household costs including housing, childcare, food, and healthcare.
• Child Advocacy Network (CAN) of Monroe County A nonprofit dedicated to preventing child abuse and neglect by strengthening families through community trainings on ACEs, Hope, Mandated Reporter Training, Safe Sleep Practices, and Car Seat Safety, with resources distributed when funding is available.
• Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition A coalition focused on reducing substance use and abuse among youth through collaborative planning, program development, community action, and public education, addressing priority areas including underage drinking, prescription drug abuse, and youth access to tobacco.
• Everyday Heroes Awards An annual awards program recognizing individuals who demonstrate heroism in Monroe County across categories including Fire Hero, Law Enforcement, Medical Professional, Good Samaritan, Animal Rescue, Workplace Good Samaritan, Local Military, and Community Hero.
• Volunteer Coordination Programs connecting volunteers with opportunities to support United Way initiatives and partner agencies, including community service events and advocacy opportunities.

Quantifiable outcome

• 35,000 people provided community programs, services, and resources annually
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, flagship and minor.

• Child Advocacy Network (CAN) of Monroe CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Way fiduciary partner helping expand CAN's reach and impact in preventing child abuse and neglect by strengthening families and building a safer community. CAN provides community trainings in ACEs, Hope, Mandated Reporter Training, Safe Sleep Practices, and Car Seat Safety.
• Monroe County Substance Abuse Coalition (MCSAC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoalition working to ensure a 'Hip' (Healthy, Informed, and Proactive) community through collaborative planning, program development, community action, and public education to decrease substance use among youth. Priority areas include reducing childhood drinking, prescription drug abuse, youth access to tobacco/nicotine, and illicit drug use.
• Monroe/Lenawee AFL-CIO Central Labor CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLongstanding partnership created more than 75 years ago engaging working people in programs that benefit communities. Partnership fosters relationships with labor unions to ensure successful campaigns, allows collaboration on community service events, builds volunteer/donor capacity, and connects union members to United Way's 2-1-1 program. Partnership includes AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison.
• Michigan AFL-CIOcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerState-level AFL-CIO partnership supporting labor community engagement with United Way across Michigan.
• Various Labor Unions (23+ local unions)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerIncludes AFSCME Local 839, IBEW Local 8, Teamsters Joint Council 43, Ironworkers Local 55, Laborers Local 499, UAW Locals 723/3000/2031/Region 1A, UFCW Locals 876/951, Steel Workers Local 2511, and others supporting community service events and workplace giving.
• La-Z-Boy IncorporatedflagshipGTM or Marketing PartnerLa-Z-Boy has provided a $100,000 match challenge for donations. Susan Vanisacker, Director of Community Relations for La-Z-Boy Foundation, serves on United Way Board. La-Z-Boy also sponsors the golf event and provides chair prizes for donor drawings.
• Monroe County Commission on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp helping build wheelchair ramps for Monroe County residents needing barrier-free access.
• Community Foundation of Monroe CountymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Monroe County and supported COVID-19 Emergency Fund addressing urgent community needs including food insecurity and internet access.
• UAW Ford Ramp ProgrammajorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Project Ramp providing funding and support for building accessibility ramps in Monroe County.
• Gerdau SteelminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Monroe County providing materials support.
• Habitat for HumanitymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Lenawee County helping build barrier-free access ramps.
• 22 Community Partner AgenciescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNonprofit and health/human service organizations that have met eligibility criteria to receive funding from annual campaign. Partners include American Red Cross, Monroe County Opportunity Center, Bedford Senior Center, CASA, Child Care Network, Salvation Army, and 16 others serving Monroe and Lenawee counties.
• Central Michigan 2-1-1coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCall center hosted at Lifeways Community Mental Health in Jackson providing 24-hour health and human services referral service. United Way of Monroe/Lenawee Counties pays for these services for Lenawee and Monroe counties.
• Lenawee County Department on AgingmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Lenawee County helping build wheelchair ramps for residents.
• Crossroads ChurchminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Lenawee County helping build ramps.
• Knights of ColumbusminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Lenawee County helping build ramps.
• Helping HandsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in Project Ramp Lenawee County helping build ramps.
• First Merchants BankmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSean Finn, Business Banking Relationship Manager with First Merchants Bank, serves as United Way Board Member. Finn brings expertise in financial management, governance, and stewardship helping guide strategic direction.
• DTE Fermi IIminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAbby Baum from DTE Fermi II serves on United Way Board of Directors.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Market position

Weaknesses4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/substance.abuse.Monroe.County

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 OF MONROE-LENAWEE COUNTIES INC