TRAVERSE CITY — United Way of Northwest Michigan is dissolving its operations at the end of the month.
The nonprofit announced the closure Friday morning after its Board of Directors found it did not have the capacity to continue its 50-year legacy.
The Michigan Association of United Ways will take over current payroll deductions and donations starting Oct. 1, and will continue to use funds to help those in the agency’s nine-county coverage area, according to a statement.
The state organization will support local calls to the 24/7 helpline 2-1-1 and include area data for the annual ALICE (Asset Limited Income-Constrained Employed) income and community needs assessment, it said.
The United Way Day of Caring event is canceled.
United Way of Northwest Michigan-administered childcare assistance and early childhood learning programs “were successfully transitioned” to other organizations and will continue uninterrupted, the statement said.
United Way of Northwest Michigan was founded as the Grand Traverse Area United Way in 1976, changing its name in 1997 to reflect its regional coverage of Antrim, Benzie, Charlevoix, Emmet, Grand Traverse, Kalkaska, Leelanau, Missaukee, and Wexford counties. The agency raised and distributed funds for nonprofit organizations working in education, health, financial stability and basic needs.
President and CEO of the Michigan Association of United Ways Kaitlynn Lamie said she “welcomed” the region to the state organization.
“For 50 years, United Way of Northwest Michigan has shown their community what it means to Live United, and we’re excited to honor that legacy,” Lamie said in the statement.
The agency recently underwent scrutiny early 2026 after the sudden closing of a community dental clinic, United We Smile, which opened September 2023 to provide free or low-cost dental care to children, veterans and people with developmental or cognitive disabilities. According to previous Record-Eagle reporting, Northwest Michigan Health Services received the $2.9 million in allocated funding from the state and UWNWMI transferred all patient records, dental equipment, and supplies.
A previous Record-Eagle report in January 2026 also found United Way chapters across the state and country faced large downturns in donations and federal funding, leading to some consolidations. Close to home, the Cadillac United Way closed its office in 2025, following a 2023 merger of the Wexford-Missaukee United Way with the United Way of Northwest Michigan, according to The Cadillac News.
On the question of trending United Way consolidation in Michigan, the state agency said it was “evolving to meet the changing philanthropic landscape.”
“United Ways across Michigan (and the country) are exploring new ways to collaborate together to leverage the resources, expertise, and strengths of the United Way network and improve efficiencies while creating impact in local communities,” the statement said.