Kalamazoo Community Foundation

We believe everyone in Kalamazoo County is capable of making a lasting impact in our community for generations to come. Read more about what it means to be a philanthropist in the donor update from our recently released 2023 Annual Report. ??

Earlier this week, members of our Philanthropic Services & Development team volunteered with First Day Shoe Fund, helping fit over 200 elementary-age students at Washington Writers’ Academy with a brand new pair of athletic shoes! First Day Shoe Fund supports students at public elementary schools across Kalamazoo County, distributing over 8,000 pairs of athletic shoes last year alone!

ICYMI: The Kalamazoo Board of Commissioners and KZCF have formed a strategic partnership to distribute resources from the opioid settlement funds to where they are needed most. You can learn more about these mini grants and submit your application at the link below. Applications are due by October 1 at 5pm.

Our team had a fantastic time at the Oddlympics last week, supporting the Kalamazoo Rotary Satellite Club with plenty of laughs and friendly competition. While we didn’t take home the trophy, we loved being part of an event that gives back to the community and strengthens local connections. We can’t wait to do it again next year!

?? Celebrating Local Excellence! ?? A huge thank you to RJ's Printing and owner Sean Hollins for bringing our 2023 annual report to life! We’re grateful for his dedication and the hard work of his entire team in helping us share our story with the community. ?? ?? Our annual report will be arriving in mailboxes this week for those on our mailing list. If you’re not on the list, no worries! You can still view the full report online. We can’t wait for you to see all the amazing things happening — you can check out the report here: https://lnkd.in/epSr9KZv

KZCF is a proud participant of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwest Michigan's Paint The Town Green week, which emphasizes the importance of mentoring in our community. You can visit thinkbigtoday.org to learn more about the incredible work they are doing to support local youth in our area.

It was wonderful to reconvene members of our W.E. Upjohn Society last week for an evening of celebration at Tillers International! Members include donors who have established an endowed fund, created an Advised/Donor Advised Fund, established a charitable gift annuity or designated KZCF as the recipient of a planned gift. Thank you for all you do to make Kalamazoo County a place where we can all love where we live!

It's National Voter Registration Day! See below for a message from our President/CEO, Dr. Grace Lubwama, on the importance of making our voices heard. You can learn more about registering to vote in Michigan here: https://lnkd.in/em6CyzPJ

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we are excited to reveal our new display banners which read, "ama quien eres," or "love who you are." If you're in downtown Kalamazoo, we encourage you to stop by the corner of E. Michigan Ave. and Pitcher St. to snap a photo! ?? #LoveWhoYouAre

Fore! ? Last Friday, our team hit the greens at the Kalamazoo County Bar Association Golf Outing at Milham Park Golf Club! We had a great time supporting an amazing organization and connecting with our local community. Here’s to a day of fun, fellowship and giving back! The KZCF Team: Stanley Steppes Kevin Peterson, MPA Joshua Sledge Ken Greschak CFRE LNHA