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Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Grant Range
From $1K

Kalamazoo Community Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: Information not available
  • Success Rate: Not available
  • Decision Time: Not specified
  • Grant Range: Up to $1,000 for Good Neighbor Grants (other ranges not specified)
  • Geographic Focus: Kalamazoo County, Michigan

Contact Details

Overview

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation, established in 1997, is a community foundation with total assets of approximately $698.6 million as of 2024. The foundation's mission is "to mobilize people, resources and expertise to advance racial, social and economic justice," with a vision for Kalamazoo County to become "the most equitable place to live." The foundation has committed over $13 million in impact investments since 2022 and offers over 65 post-secondary scholarships alongside their grant programs.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Multiyear General Operations Grants: Amount not specified (supports ongoing organizational operations)
  • Annual Responsive Grants: Amount not specified (addresses emerging community needs)
  • Capital Grants: Amount not specified (supports infrastructure and facility improvements)
  • Mobilizing Grants: Amount not specified (catalyzes community action)
  • Opioid Remediation Grants: Amount not specified (addresses opioid crisis impacts)
  • Community Urgent Relief Fund (CURF): Amount not specified (emergency response funding)
  • Good Neighbor Grants: Up to $1,000 (community-building projects)
  • Impact Investment Loans: Low-market rate loans for housing equity and economic inclusivity

Priority Areas

The foundation focuses on WHEN areas:

  • Wealth - Economic equity and opportunity
  • Housing - Housing equity and accessibility
  • Education - Educational advancement and equity
  • Neighborhoods - Community development and connectivity

Organizations demonstrating commitment to racial equity, accessibility for marginalized communities, and centering voices of people of color receive priority consideration.

What They Don't Fund

Information not available

Governance and Leadership

Leadership:

  • CEO/President: Grace Lubwama
  • Board Chair: Von Washington
  • Vice Chair: Amy Upjohn
  • Treasurer: L Marshall Washington
  • Principal Officer: Raymond Byers

The foundation operates with core values including centering anti-racism & equity, advancing racial justice, cultivating transformative relationships, and serving the greater good.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications are submitted online when grant cycles are open. Organizations work directly with a Community Impact Officer throughout the process. The foundation provides ongoing support and technical assistance to applicants. Non-501c3 nonprofits and groups with fiscal sponsors are eligible to apply.

Decision Timeline

Information not available

Success Rates

Information not available

Reapplication Policy

Information not available

Application Success Factors

Based on the foundation's stated priorities, successful applications should:

  • Demonstrate strong commitment to racial equity and justice
  • Show accessibility for marginalized communities
  • Center voices of people of color
  • Present strong local partnerships
  • Demonstrate commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion
  • Align with WHEN focus areas (Wealth, Housing, Education, Neighborhoods)
  • Focus on transformational rather than transactional change

Good Neighbor Grants specifically look for projects that:

  • Build bridges between different community groups
  • Engage previously uninvolved community members
  • Create youth leadership opportunities

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • The foundation prioritizes racial, social, and economic justice in all grant-making
  • Strong emphasis on equity-centered approaches and centering marginalized voices
  • Multiple grant types available from small community grants to multiyear operations support
  • Direct support from Community Impact Officers throughout application process
  • Non-501c3 organizations can apply with fiscal sponsors
  • Focus proposals on transformational change rather than short-term fixes
  • Demonstrate strong local partnerships and community engagement

References

  • ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer: Kalamazoo Community Foundation (EIN: 38-3333202), accessed December 2024
  • GuideStar Profile: Kalamazoo Community Foundation (38-3333202), accessed December 2024
  • Kalamazoo Community Foundation Grants Page (https://kzcf.org/grants), accessed December 2024
  • Kalamazoo Community Foundation Homepage (https://kzcf.org/), accessed December 2024
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