Coins for a Cause

Coins for a Cause started two years ago when Gratiot County Hope House started a coin wars challenge with their local school district to raise funds for their operations. In 2022, United Way jumped in to increase the impact and expand the initiative across both Gratiot and Isabella counties. Together with Hope House and Isabella County Restoration House (ICRH), United Way is working to solve the issue of homelessness in our communities by raising awareness and financial support for the critical work our shelters do all year long.

Running through the month of November, which is Homelessness Awareness Month, United Way invites all schools to participate in a fun coin wars challenge. The United Way team provides participating school districts with an informational toolkit which included messages from local shelter directors on how students can make a difference for those experiencing homelessness in their communities.

“Coins for a Cause helps make our work possible,” says Jake Gregory, co-executive director of Gratiot County Hope House. “Without these kinds of fundraisers, especially fundraisers that raise awareness and help get community involvement, we couldn’t do what we are doing, because those fundraisers don’t just raise capital, they also raise support for who we are and the work we do.” 

To bring it all together, United Way provides the winning classroom from each participating school with a pizza party to celebrate — and commits to matching up to $10,000 in funds for each shelter. Last year, Coins for a Cause raised over $15,000 for Gratiot County Hope House and nearly $8,000 for Isabella County Restoration House. This year, 19 schools and 250 classrooms across both counties participated in the challenge.

The coins have been counted and United Way is pleased to share that, in coordination with schools across Gratiot & Isabella counties, our Coins for a Cause initiative raised $10,209.57 in 2023! With United Way’s match, that means $20,419.14 will go directly to our shelters, Gratiot County Hope House and Isabella County Restoration House, to support homelessness and housing efforts in our communities. Thank you to our school partners, students, and families who supported Coins for a Cause 2023!

From Gratiot County, raising a total of $6,566.07 (pre-match):

• Carrie Knause Elementary

• Donald L. Pavlik Middle School

• Fulton Elementary

• Fulton Middle/High School

• Hillcrest Elementary

• Ithaca North Elementary

• Ithaca South Elementary

• Luce Road Early Childhood Learning Center

• Nikkari Elementary

• Pine Avenue Elementary

• St. Louis High School

• St. Mary Catholic School

From Isabella County, raising a total of $3,643.50 (pre-match):

• Beal City Elementary

• Fancher Elementary

• Ganiard Elementary

• Pullen Elementary

• Renaissance Academy

• Saginaw Chippewa Academy

• Vowles Elementary