United Way’s Project Blueprint is a leadership development program for persons of color that is meant to increase their involvement in our community by recruiting, training and facilitating the placement of graduates on local boards and committees.

Project Blueprint was established in 1988 with funding from the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. Heart of West Michigan United Way was one of the first United Ways in the country to develop a program aimed at minority inclusion in volunteer leadership.

Project Blueprint training consists of five, three-hour evening sessions plus a visit to a board meeting. Guest facilitators are used to assist in the training, and topics include:

• barriers to minority involvement.
• basics of serving on a board and parliamentary procedure.
• communications and meeting skills.
• financial and fundraising responsibilities.

Project Blueprint graduates are referred to agencies and organizations in the community that are attempting to diversify their boards and other key committees. A two-year commitment to serve in some capacity is requested.

For more information and to participate in Project Blueprint, please contact United Way at 616.632.1019 or projectblueprint@waybetterunitedway.org

Project Blueprint Mission

To bring about a volunteer leadership experience for professionals of color by providing training which leads to placement on boards of directors of community agencies and organizations.