MEDIA RELEASE - FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN
For Release: Thursday, August 6, 2026
Contact: Zack East / zack.east@uwsm.org / Office (269) 932-3226
United Way of Southwest Michigan Kicks Off 2026 Campaign Season with Five Pacesetter Organizations
ST. JOSEPH, MI – Campaign Fundraising Season is officially underway across Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to benefit United Way of Southwest Michigan, and five local Pacesetter organizations are setting the pace.
Campaign Season refers to the workplace fundraising campaigns that companies and nonprofits host across the three-county region each year. No two campaigns look exactly alike. Some ask employees directly for donations, others are built around teambuilding events that bring departments together for a little friendly competition, some center on volunteer projects, and others take the form of a corporate gift that helps United Way direct dollars to programs at local nonprofits and fund resources like the 2-1-1 hotline and Volunteer United.
Pacesetters are the organizations kickoff first. They launch their campaigns early, set an ambitious goal of increasing fundraising by 10% or participation by 25%, and show other employers how it is done, building momentum for the rest of the season. This year's Pacesetters are United Federal Credit Union, Mid-West Family Marketing & Media, St. Joseph Public Schools, Vail Rubber Works, and United Way of Southwest Michigan, which runs its own internal campaign alongside the community.
United Federal Credit Union, the largest Pacesetter, is raising the bar by matching every employee donation to United Way dollar for dollar, doubling the impact of every gift its team makes. United Federal Credit Union also has the honor of kicking off the season, with its campaign launching the first week of August and already surpassing their local campaign’s giving from last year.
“United Way of Southwest Michigan does so much to strengthen the communities we call home, and United Federal Credit Union wanted to show our support in a bigger way this year,” said Matt Orlando, Director of Public Relations at United Federal Credit Union. “By becoming a Pacesetter organization and moving our campaign earlier, United has an opportunity to lead by example and help build excitement for giving across our community. We know that when organizations come together around a shared purpose, we can make an even greater impact for our neighbors.”
“Getting Campaign Season started is one of the best parts of my job, because you can feel the whole community rallying,” said Zack East, Senior Director of Development and Marketing at United Way of Southwest Michigan. “Our Pacesetters are the ones willing to lead, and their example builds the kind of excitement that carries us all fall. When we give together, we make a real difference for neighbors who are working hard but still can't quite make ends meet.”
Every dollar raised during Campaign Season stays in Southwest Michigan and goes to work for local ALICE households. ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed, and it describes neighbors who get up and go to work every day but still cannot quite cover the basics like housing, childcare, food, and transportation. Last year, gifts to United Way of Southwest Michigan created more than $5.7 million in value for the community and touched the lives of more than 207,000 individuals through 64 programs at 47 local organizations.
United Way of Southwest Michigan is also being upfront about a reality facing nonprofits everywhere. Changes in how community services are funded affect all of us, and that makes local support more important than it has ever been. Dollars raised here stay here, giving United Way and its partners a dependable base to keep serving neighbors even as other funding shifts. If you truly want to help your community, help starts here.
Giving can look however works best for each donor. For many, it is a small amount pulled from each paycheck that adds up over the course of a year. Others make a single larger gift, and some give through a family trust or a legacy gift that leaves a lasting mark on the community. A gift of $180, or just $15 a month, can fill backpacks with school supplies for six students or cover four nights of shelter and meals for someone experiencing homelessness.
Donors also have a shot at this year's community incentives. The grand prize package pairs a two-night stay at Ambrose Bed & Breakfast in Baroda with flex season passes to Twin City Players shows and $350 worth of Taste of Southwest Michigan dining at restaurants in St. Joseph, New Buffalo, Paw Paw, Stevensville, and Cassopolis. Additional prizes range from Casey's General Store gift cards and a KitchenAid appliance to a family pass at the Harbor Shores Wee Course and Four Winds Casino hospitality. No purchase is necessary, and full rules are available at uwsm.org.
Residents who want to take part can start with their own workplace. Many employers across the region run two- or three-week campaigns between now and December. Employees who are not sure when their organization runs its campaign can check with their HR department or email campaign.team@uwsm.org. Workplaces that are not yet running a campaign can find a free campaign kit, along with ideas for events and employee incentives, at uwsm.org.
“Our goal is to encourage all of our campaigns and corporate donors to increase their participation or giving by 10%,” East stated. “If even a fraction of our partners can help us do this, we’ll get much closer to our goals.”
About United Way of Southwest Michigan
United Way of Southwest Michigan works to create and sustain a united & resilient community where everyone contributes, belongs, and thrives. We harness resources from corporate, nonprofit, and public partners to address our community's most pressing challenges and make lasting change. Join us in giving, advocating, and volunteering by visiting uwsm.org.
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Caption: United Federal Credit Union’s Corporate Headquarters on Hilltop Rd. in St. Joseph displays their United Way of Southwest Michigan Pacesetter sign on the front lawn. UFCU is one of five area organizations first to begin their 2026 fundraising efforts for United Way in August.
