United Way of the Lakeshore Opens Community Investment Grant Process for 2027–2029 Funding Cycle
New three-year funding cycle will invest in Early Literacy, Childcare, and Housing Stability initiatives across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Muskegon, Newaygo, & Oceana Counties, MI – United Way of the Lakeshore is pleased to announce the opening of its Community Investment Grant process for the 2027–2029 funding cycle. Beginning June 5, eligible organizations serving Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties may submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for funding consideration.
The 2027–2029 Community Investment Grant process reflects extensive community input gathered through United Way’s Community Investment Priority Setting process. Community leaders, educators, volunteers, and residents helped identify early literacy, childcare, and housing stability as critical areas for investment. As part of this funding cycle, organizations will identify outcome measurements aligned with their programs and describe how they track and evaluate impact. The shared outcome framework is designed to help partners collectively demonstrate progress toward community goals while recognizing that organizations may use different tools and methods to measure success.
Funding will focus on three priority areas:
- Early Literacy
- Childcare
- Housing Stability
“Strong communities are built when children have opportunities to succeed, families have access to affordable childcare, and individuals have stable housing,” said Lisa Tyler, President & CEO of United Way of the Lakeshore. “This funding cycle is an opportunity to partner with organizations across our region to create measurable, lasting impact for children, families, and communities throughout Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.”
The Letter of Intent serves as the first step in the funding process and provides organizations with an opportunity to introduce their proposed program or initiative, identify the counties they serve, select a focus area, outline anticipated outcomes, and describe their funding request.
Organizations invited forward following the Letter of Intent review will be eligible to submit a full grant application later this summer.
Key Dates
- June 5, 2026: Letter of Intent Opens
- June 26, 2026: Letter of Intent Deadline
- July 20–24, 2026: Agency Notifications
- August 3, 2026: Application Training
- August 7, 2026: Full Application Opens
- August 21, 2026: Full Application Deadline
- September 29, 2026: Childcare Program Presentations
- October 1, 2026: Housing Program Presentations
- October 13, 2026: Early Literacy Program Presentations
- Early December 2026: Grant Award Notifications
- January 1, 2027: Funding Cycle Begins
To support applicants throughout the process, United Way of the Lakeshore is offering optional Letter of Intent Support Sessions. Organizations may schedule one-on-one assistance to discuss focus area alignment, outcome measurements, application requirements, and other questions related to the grant process.
In addition to funding opportunities, United Way is seeking community volunteers to participate in grant review panels this fall. Volunteers will review applications, learn about local programs, and help inform funding recommendations that will shape investments across Muskegon, Newaygo, and Oceana Counties.
Community members and organizations can learn more, access application materials, review outcome measurement guidance, schedule support sessions, and volunteer as grant reviewers by visiting: https://www.unitedwaylakeshore.org/partnerhub