IT IS IN TIMES OF NEED THAT WE DISCOVER THE FULL IMPACT OF A COMMUNITY UNITED
United Way is committed to investing in critical basic needs services. This includes raising and deploying funds effectively during times of community crisis. The United Way Disaster Relief Fund proactively supports response and recovery during times of crisis - natural or human-made - that affect individuals and families below the ALICE (Asset-Limited, Income-Constrained, Employed) threshold in the region.
JACKSON APARTMENT FIRE REPONSE
On Thursday night, a devastating fire tore through a Jackson apartment building, claiming one life, injuring several others, and displacing 69 families who are now without a place to call home. In the wake of this tragedy, United Way of South Central Michigan has activated its Disaster Relief Fund to help our community respond.
Dollars raised go to aid local nonprofits on the ground providing immediate and long-term support — from emergency shelter and clothing to food and recovery assistance.
Additionally, United Way is serving as a collection site for item donations. Families are in need of hygiene items, paper products, moving supplies, cleaning supplies, household basics, first aid supplies and pet supplies. For a full list, click here. Donations may be dropped off from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. March 14-19 and 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Friday, March 20 at the United Way office on 536 N. Jackson Street.
Please give today and help our neighbors begin to rebuild their lives.
DRF GRANT CRITERIA FOR NONPROFITS
Funds from United Way of South Central Michigan’s Disaster Relief Fund (DRF) are available to support rehousing efforts for those affected by the fire at Reed Manor and related basic needs. Due to the limited funds available and the specific, place-based nature of this response, the application for this funding is a closed process that is by invitation only through local Community Impact staff in Jackson County. Questions related to submitting a request should be directed to Eboné Young at e.young@uwscmi.org. Requests for funding will be reviewed by a committee and funding decisions communicated within 7 business days. Grants awarded will be paid out within 7-10 business days from the date of award notification.
These funds will be granted to 501c3 nonprofit organizations, individuals or groups with a 501c3 fiscal sponsor and/or public entities who are providing direct services to residents in Jackson, MI that have been impacted by the March 12, 2026 fire at Reed Manor.
HOW CAN FUNDS BE USED?
Priority activities include (but are not limited to):
- Direct cash assistance to individuals or households who have experienced a loss of income or loss of property (not covered by insurance) directly related to the fire.
- Coordination of peer-to-peer assistance (i.e. transportation to retrieve food, transportation to a medical facility, transportation to government agency for document retrieval, etc.)
- Temporary housing assistance (hotel stays, shelter costs, rental assistance or housing relocation support) not covered by insurance
- Assistance with repairing or replacing critical necessities not covered by insurance (i.e. furniture, clothing, household items)
- Costs associated with disaster response case management or volunteer management.
PRIORITY POPULATIONS INCLUDE (BUT ARE NOT LIMITED TO):
- Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPoC) community members
- Individuals over 65 years old
- Individuals with disabilities
- LGBTQIA+ Individuals
- Households (including children) who have income below the Asset Limited, Income Constrained and Employed (ALICE) threshold
- Individuals who may experience systemic barriers to accessing available governmental resources (such as individuals who lost or are without identification, individuals for whom English is not their first or preferred language)
Note: DRF funds are intended to complement resources available from FEMA, state and local governmental agencies, as well as existing health and human services organizations. Funds are limited and only available to address known needs; anticipated or forecasted need will not be funded at this time. In the event that available funds exceed community need for a given disaster activation, any remaining balance will be kept in the local Disaster Relief Fund to support response efforts in future crises.
Please direct any questions to communityimpact@uwscmi.org.
PREVIOUS ACTIVATIONS
2026 COLD WEATHER RESPONSE, REGIONAL
United Way of South Central Michigan activated the Disaster Relief Fund in January 2026 in response to the frigid temperatures sweeping across the region and the gap in resources for people who are unhoused. Federal funding cuts including the loss of $374,838 across the region from FEMA’s Emergency Food and Shelter Program - previously administered by United Way of South Central Michigan - have contributed to the current shelter crisis and the gap in resources for emergencies like this. Through this fund, we provided support to local nonprofits as they worked to expand the capacity and services of emergency shelters and waming centers.
2025 FOOD ASSISTANCE, REGIONAL
In November 2025, United Way of South Central Michigan activated its Disaster Relief Fund across the region to support food security in response to instability in federal assistance programs. Millions of families who rely on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) were at immediate risk of losing access to critical nutrition support. SNAP helps over 1.4 million Michiganders afford groceries. Disaster Relief Funds were granted to nonprofit organizations or public entities who provide food security services to residents of Calhoun, Clinton, Eaton, Ingham, Jackson, and/or Kalamazoo counties.
2024 TORNADO RESPONSE, KALAMAZOO COUNTY
United Way of South Central Michigan (UWSCMI) and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) partnered to support to those affected by the May 7, 2024 tornadoes via joint crisis funding. These emergency grants, distributed through UWSCMI’s Disaster Relief Fund and KZCF’s Community Urgent Relief Fund, were made to nonprofits and public entities providing critical recovery services to impacted individuals and households in Kalamazoo County.
UWSCMI and KZCF worked hand-in-hand with Gryphon Place and their 2-1-1 team to determine unmet community needs and coordinate the effective deployment of resources. Grant decisions were made weekly by staff and volunteers from both organizations.