Care Collective Of Southwest Michigan

What Care Collective Of Southwest Michigan does

Care Collective of Southwest Michigan is a nonprofit organization founded in November 2022 and headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan, that distributes free diapers, baby wipes, and menstrual products to families and menstruating individuals experiencing diaper need and period poverty in Southwest Michigan. The organization operates a barrier-free, no-questions-asked distribution model, sourcing products through donations, product drives, and grants, and delivering them exclusively through a network of 23+ partner organizations, including BIPOC and LGBTQIA-led community groups, schools (Kalamazoo Public Schools, Western Michigan University, KVCC), housing providers, and social service agencies. In 2024 the organization scaled distribution to 704,222 total products (564,600 diapers and 139,622 period products), a roughly 500% increase over 2023, supported by 306 volunteers who repackaged 594,425 products and a relocated warehouse facility occupied since June 2024.

Revenue and resource inflows come from individual donations via GiveButter, foundation grants (Stryker Johnston Foundation, United Way of South Central Michigan, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Harold and Grace Upjohn Foundation, ENNA Foundation), community product drives, branded merchandise sales, and the Anywhere Period Care business program, where local employers purchase period products at below-retail cost with half of the price treated as a tax-deductible donation. The organization does not own proprietary technology, relying instead on Squarespace for its website, GiveButter for fundraising, and the National Diaper Bank Network platform for volunteer coordination. Leadership consists of a three-person core staff (Executive Director Sarah Koestler, Operations Director J Ludeker, Program Manager Jordan Taylor) supported by a ten-member board of directors, with no equity ownership, parent entity, or external investment disclosed.

Name

Care Collective Of Southwest Michigan

Legal name

Care Collective of Southwest Michigan

Website

https://carecollectiveswmi.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2022

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Care Collective of Southwest Michigan is a Kalamazoo-based nonprofit that distributes free diapers and menstrual products to families and menstruators in Southwest Michigan through a network of 23+ BIPOC and LGBTQIA-led partner organizations.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kalamazoo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Individual Donations: One-time and recurring financial donations from individuals to support product purchases and distribution operations.
2. Product Drives: Community members organize and host product drives to collect diapers and period products for donation.
3. Merchandise Sales: Sale of branded merchandise including t-shirts ($25), sweatshirts ($50), and tote bags with proceeds supporting operations.
4. Anywhere Period Care Business Program: Businesses purchase period products at below-retail cost, with half of purchase price being a tax-deductible donation to Care Collective's mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Care Collective of Southwest Michigan is a nonprofit organization that provides barrier-free, no-questions-asked access to free diapers, baby wipes, and menstrual products for families and menstruating individuals in Southwest Michigan. The organization sources, warehouses, and repackages these essentials and distributes them through a network of 23+ BIPOC and LGBTQIA-led partner organizations across Kalamazoo County. Care Collective also runs the Anywhere Period Care business program, supplying period products to local employers for free distribution to employees and customers.

Product overview

Care Collective of Southwest Michigan operates as a nonprofit organization providing barrier-free access to diapers, baby wipes, and menstrual products. The core offerings consist of two distribution programs—Diaper Distribution and Period Product Distribution—delivered through a network of over 20 partner organizations throughout Kalamazoo. Additional offerings include the Anywhere Period Care business program for employers, volunteer repackaging events, merchandise sales, and community events like OvaryActing. The organization does not offer a software product but rather focuses on physical product distribution and community engagement.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Diaper Distribution Program Provides barrier-free access to diapers and baby wipes for families with infants and young children in Southwest Michigan through a network of distribution partner organizations; products are provided free of charge with no income verification or eligibility requirements.
• Period Product Distribution Program Provides barrier-free access to menstrual products including pads, tampons, and period kits for young people and menstruators in Southwest Michigan, distributed through partner organizations free of charge.
• Anywhere Period Care A business program that supplies period products at below-retail cost for employers to offer free period products to employees and customers, including free starter bins and subscription-style restocking; half of the purchase price is a tax-deductible donation to Care Collective.
• Care Collective Merchandise Branded merchandise including t-shirts ($25), sweatshirts ($50), and tote bags with menstruation-themed and mission-aligned designs, sold with proceeds supporting the organization's operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Distributed 704,222 total products in 2024 (564,600 diapers + 139,622 period products), a 500% increase from 2023
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• National Diaper Bank NetworkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDBN is the national certifying body and network for diaper banks. Care Collective is a certified member, using their volunteer management platform and benefiting from network resources, training, and collective advocacy for ending diaper need.
• Alliance for Period SuppliescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational organization advocating for menstrual equity and maintaining a network of period supply banks. Care Collective participates in Period Poverty Awareness Week campaigns coordinated by APS.
• RooteadcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBIPOC-led birth justice organization distributing diapers and period products through Baby Cafe, Village Playdates, and doula services. One of Care Collective's founding partners.
• El ConciliocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLatine community organization distributing products through preschool programs and resource center for immigrant families.
• OutFront KalamazoocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLGBTQIA+ organization providing gender-affirming period product distribution for youth and adults.
• Black Lives Matter Kzoo/BC Diaper TraincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBIPOC-focused initiative delivering diapers and wipes directly to BIPOC parents' homes as part of sustainable care network.
• Douglass Community AssociationcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHistoric African American community organization providing bi-weekly drive-through and walk-in distribution of diapers and period products.
• Fire Arts CollaborativemajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYouth arts organization distributing products at free stores and after-school programs for marginalized youth.
• Communities in Schools KalamazoomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSchool-based program distributing period products through 'kids closets' at all KPS elementary, middle, and high schools.
• Western Michigan University (WMU) Essential NeedsmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorUniversity program providing diapers and period products to students through Bronco Food Pantry and campus-wide bathroom distribution (Broncos.Period program).
• Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity college distributing products to students through KV Circle Center resource center.
• Kalamazoo Eastside Neighborhood Association (KENA)majorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNeighborhood association providing walk-in distribution for eastside residents.
• Interfaith HomesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLow-income housing provider distributing diapers to tenants on Kalamazoo's Northside.
• YWCA WISH ProgrammajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHome visiting program providing diapers and support to families with young children.
• Northside Association for Community DevelopmentmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCommunity development organization serving Kalamazoo's Northside with various programs including product distribution.
• Cares Sexual Wellness ServicesmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSexual health organization distributing period products to young people receiving services.
• WMed Family MedicineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHealthcare provider distributing products through home visiting services for pregnant and postpartum families.
• Kalamazoo Talking is TeachingminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEarly literacy initiative providing materials in diaper packages to support caregiver-baby interaction.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• I Support the Girls: National nonprofit collecting and distributing period products and bras to people experiencing homelessness and poverty. Directly comparable to Care Collective's period product distribution model and underserved-population focus.
• Helping Mamas: Atlanta-area nonprofit that collects and distributes diapers, period products, and baby essentials to families in need. Closely comparable to Care Collective in mission, product mix, and partner-based community distribution.
• Cradles to Crayons: National nonprofit providing children from birth through age 12 with clothing, diapers, and other essentials. Highly comparable mission (children's basic needs) and a hybrid distribution model involving partner agencies and direct giving.
• Baby2Baby: National nonprofit distributing diapers, clothing, and other essentials to children in poverty across the U.S. Operates a very similar model to Care Collective — collecting and distributing diapers and basic-need items — but at multi-state scale with significantly larger funding.
• Austin Diaper Bank: Texas-based diaper bank distributing free diapers through partner agencies in Central Texas. Operates a near-identical community diaper distribution model to Care Collective, including NDBN membership.
• Sweet Cheeks Diaper Ministry: Cincinnati-based diaper bank distributing free diapers through partner agencies to families experiencing diaper need. Operates a near-identical regional diaper bank model to Care Collective, including NDBN affiliation.
• The Diaper Bank of North Carolina: Statewide diaper bank distributing diapers through partner organizations across North Carolina. Same NDBN-affiliated, partner-channel distribution model as Care Collective at a multi-county scale.
• Period.org (formerly PERIOD.): Youth-led nonprofit addressing period poverty through product distribution, education, and policy advocacy. Directly comparable to Care Collective's period product distribution program and advocacy work.

Broad incumbents

• National Diaper Bank Network: National umbrella and certifying body for diaper banks, of which Care Collective is a member. Operates as a network, advocacy, and infrastructure provider rather than a direct distribution peer, but materially shapes the competitive landscape.
• Alliance for Period Supplies: National network and advocacy organization supporting period supply banks, including Care Collective's period product program. Functions as a peer-ecosystem incumbent providing collective advocacy, resources, and program coordination.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/carecollectiveswmi
• Facebookfacebook.com/CareCollectiveSWMI

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Care Collective Of Southwest Michigan