At any given time, it is almost certain that some people in a community are struggling to make ends meet. Financial struggle and stress are common parts of the human experience, even if only briefly for some. For respite, a community may sometimes be reliant on the altruism and selflessness of its members to provide supplemental resources for their neighbors.
However, without someone to direct the flow of these resources, they may not reach those in need as effectively or efficiently as they otherwise could. As part of the solution to this issue, Mt. Pleasant has Tiffany Eisenberger.
Eisenberger is the resource development manager for the
United Way of Greater Central Michigan, which covers the counties of Isabella, Gratiot, Montcalm, and Ionia.
Originally from Ionia County, Eisenberger moved to Isabella County in 2019, living in Shepherd the past 6 years. Spending extensive time in half the counties her office serves, Eisenberger has endeared her professional role in a unique way.
“I work for the United Way of Greater Central Michigan because I truly believe in the power of community,” she says. “Every day, I’m part of an organization that brings people together to tackle real challenges, whether that’s helping families keep their homes, supporting local students, or strengthening nonprofit partners.”
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Courtesy Tiffany Eisenberger
“There’s a strong spirit of collaboration here,” Eisenberger says, expanding on her familiarity with the area. “You see it in how local organizations, businesses, and residents work side by side to meet real needs and create opportunities. It’s a community that cares, and that makes it a meaningful place to live and work.”
Meeting a community’s needs is a continually shifting task, with Eisenberger having to adapt her strategies to face whichever emerging challenge is presented to her.
“One of the biggest challenges in my role is adapting to changes in fundraising and how people want to get involved. With shifts in the workplace and the economy, it’s important to find fresh ways to connect with donors,” she says.
Given the constant need to adapt to nascent challenges, it would be relatively easy for someone in Eisenberger’s role to become fatigued and jaded. Despite this, Eisenberger remains resolute.
“These challenges encourage me to be creative and keep finding new ways to connect with our donors,” she explains. “In my daily role, I manage the workplace giving campaigns across the four counties we serve. I develop and maintain corporate partnerships, write grants, and secure funding. My work focuses on generating the resources and support needed to fund our programs and create a positive impact in the community.”
It hasn’t always been easy for Eisenberger to summon the courage to act on her convictions for community improvement.
“A big challenge for me has been stepping out of my comfort zone and finding my voice,” says Eisenberger. “Early on, I was pretty timid when it came to reaching out and making connections, but my job pushed me to be more confident and proactive.”
Eisenberger’s growing confidence is the direct result of her effective contributions towards meeting the needs of the community she lives in.
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Courtesy Tiffany Eisenberger
When faced with a task as large in scale as meeting a community’s needs, it could be easy to assume the solution must be equally as broad.
Eisenberger is clear this is not the case, saying, “I’m most proud of the moments that happen behind the scenes—the quiet connections, the simple conversations that end up leading to something bigger. [I feel proud] when an idea we helped get off the ground turns into something lasting, or when I hear something small that I did actually made a difference.”
These smaller contributions are much less overt and public facing, but for Eisenberger, that’s not a loss.
“It’s not about getting credit. It’s about showing up, being real, and doing work that helps people feel seen, supported, and a little more hopeful,” she says. “When those small, behind-the-scenes efforts come together, they help build a community that’s more resilient.”
The local impact of Eisenberger’s work also serves as a potent reminder to her of why it’s important to her.
“To me, improving my community means making a real difference in people’s everyday lives by creating opportunities that didn’t exist before. Being able to contribute to the place I live and care about is rewarding and motivating—it reminds me why the work matters.”