Our History

Forward-thinking Battle Creek leaders created the Social Service Bureau in 1921, raising $66,000 for the Battle Creek Relief Fund. This fundraising grew over the decades thanks to vital, generous corporate donors such as Kellogg Co. Later known as the Community Chest, the agency became the Battle Creek Area United Fund in 1957, and a decade later it merged with the Calhoun County Community Council to become United Community Services. By 1975 it embraced the name United Way.

Kalamazoo followed a similar path. Seven health and human services agencies came together to form Kalamazoo Associated Charities in 1914, investing resources in health and human services. In 1925, this group formed the Kalamazoo Community Chest. Raising $110,000 in that first year, it notched its first $1 million campaign in 1966 with generous support from The Upjohn Company, Stryker Corp. and many others. In 1971, the Community Chest became Greater Kalamazoo United Way.

As social needs changed, these two United Ways evolved from simple fundraisers to strategic partners. They worked alongside community leaders and nonprofits to target the most pressing needs and how to address them. Eventually they discovered ways to tackle challenges regionally while still focusing on the unique local needs. In 2012, this led both United Ways to a merger of equals, creating United Way of the Battle Creek and Kalamazoo Region.

Today, UWBCKR is part of an impact-driven regional organization: United Way of South Central Michigan, formed in 2022 through a merger with UWBCKR, Capital Area United Way, and United Way of Jackson County.

Battle Creek/Kalamazoo News

Call to Advocate: Another SNAP Change Will Create More Hungry Families

November 11, 2019

While some may raise concerns about how SNAP is administered, kicking millions of people out of the program isn’t the answer. It will hurt struggling families, especially the older adults and children.

Read More

Jesse’s Story

November 7, 2019

Jesse has places to go. And now, he has a way to get there.

Read More

New Grant to Catalyze Giving in Communities of Color

November 5, 2019

The grant, part of WKKF’s Catalyzing Community Giving initiative, will allow UWBCKR to work with leaders from communities of color in Battle Creek to create philanthropic activities that impact their communities more effectively.

Read More

Volunteers Unite to Tackle Hunger – 100,000 Times!

October 16, 2019

With bells, cheers and upbeat music, more than 300 volunteers put together 100,000 meals in two hours to feed hungry…

Read More

Mission Report #3: ‘Engage Diverse People, Ideas and Resources’

October 14, 2019

On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy gave a speech to Congress urging support for putting an American crew…

Read More

Mission Report #2: ‘Leading Shared Efforts’ Underscores Partnership

October 10, 2019

You probably tried this when you were a kid: Take a stick as thick as your little finger and see…

Read More

Mission Report #1: ‘Drive Impact’ Directs Our Work

October 7, 2019

Drive impact by leading shared efforts that engage diverse people, ideas and resources. Powerful words. But what do they mean?…

Read More

Why All This Talk About Trauma?

October 3, 2019

Editor’s note: Trauma shows up as a pervasive barrier to a person’s success in every one of United Way’s Impact…

Read More