Programs & Resources
How We Help Marshall County
From early childhood literacy to disaster relief, our programs address the most pressing needs of Marshall County families and communities.
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Marshall County Imagination Library
In partnership with Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, this program provides one free book per month to children from birth to age five. Books are age-appropriate, engaging, and delivered directly to children's homes at no cost to families, inspiring a love of reading one book at a time.
TriShare Childcare Program
An initiative designed to ease the burden of affording quality childcare for eligible working families. The cost of childcare is split three ways between the employee, employer, and the community using funding from the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The program began in early 2024 following a $750,000 grant from FSSA.
ALICE Initiative
Supporting Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed (ALICE) households — families with income above the Federal Poverty Level but not enough to afford basics. In Marshall County, 28% of families are ALICE, and United Way connects them with essential services including healthcare, childcare, transportation, and housing assistance.
Housing
Working to improve access to affordable, safe, quality housing in Marshall County through community partnerships with nonprofit organizations and local elected officials. Initiatives include the Housing Matters series, a Housing Gap Analysis, and connecting people with short-term shelter and long-term housing support services.
Point in Time Count
Annually conducting a count of sheltered and unsheltered people experiencing homelessness in Marshall County, aligned with the national HUD count. United Way also conducts a county-wide informal housing survey to gather comprehensive data on housing insecurity to help community leaders seek resources needed to address housing challenges.
Capital Grants
A five-year initiative supported by Lilly Endowment Inc. that distributes $80 million in matching capital grants to increase the availability and quality of essential health and human services. Grants range from $50K–$200K (Tier 1) for non-structural projects to $200K–$1.5 million (Tier 2) for more complex construction and renovation projects, all requiring a 1:1 match.
United Way R4 Grants
R4 Grants (Respond, Recover, Reimagine, and Rebuild) provide flexible resources to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations working in Marshall County to ensure basic needs and essential services are addressed. Grants address gaps in services and increase the capacity of organizations to meet basic needs of Marshall County's most vulnerable individuals and families.
Mobile Food Pantry
In partnership with the Food Bank of Northern Indiana, United Way of Marshall County works to ensure no one has to choose between food and other essentials. Mobile food pantry events bring food directly to community members in need, eliminating transportation barriers and reaching families across the county.
Workplace Giving Campaigns
United Way partners with local businesses and employers to run workplace giving campaigns, making it easy for employees to donate and support the community. Companies like Oliver Ford Lincoln in Plymouth participate to help drive health, education, and financial stability across Marshall County. Every dollar raised stays local.
Financial Literacy & Tax Assistance
United Way of Marshall County promotes financial wellness through financial literacy education and resources. Programs support National Financial Literacy Month and offer guidance around key dates like National Tax Day, helping community members build the knowledge and tools they need for long-term financial stability.
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Resource Connection Tools
211 Resource Connection
Through partnership with 211 Indiana, United Way connects Hoosiers with local resources they need. This free and confidential service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by dialing 2-1-1 to connect with a navigator for assistance with housing, food, healthcare, disaster services, and financial needs.
Dial 2-1-1 →SEARCH for Help
An online resource tool that helps people find the information they need to get help in Marshall County. People throughout the community turn to United Way every day for information and support — whether education, health, disaster, or financial-related — connecting people of all ages to necessary health and human services.
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Your donations and volunteer hours directly fund and sustain these programs for Marshall County families.
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