Kalamazoo County: The Most Equitable Place to Live
A Note From the CEO
When our organization was created in 1925, a simple goal guided the purpose of our work – bettering lives across Kalamazoo County, regardless of race, color or religion. Our first gift, provided by W.E. and Carrie Upjohn of $1,000 (nearly $20,000 today), initiated an incredible legacy of giving and making an unforgettable impact on the lives of our community members.
Now, 100 years later, we find ourselves navigating a uniquely challenging time. Legislative changes at the federal level have severely threatened the stability of services for our nonprofit partners, leaving them with even less during a time when so many of our community members are relying on them for more. As we navigate this complex landscape together, we know that many of our residents have been left wondering – what happens now and how they can make a difference.
In alignment with our vision of Kalamazoo County being the most equitable place to live and our unwavering dedication to our original guiding purpose, we are rising to the occasion in all aspects of our work. We are excited to share in this report how we are reapproaching our partnership with our incredible donors and revamping our strategy for welcoming gifts.
Whether you choose to establish a fund as I recently have (Jaden and Jethro Ssebugwawo Fund) , or you choose to make your first gift, everyone in our community can tap into the superpower of giving, knowing that no gift is too small to transform this community we love.
Dr. Grace Lubwama President/CEO Kalamazoo Community Foundation
2025 Board of Trustees
Philanthropy Committee
Joe Cekola
Lynn Chen-Zhang
Oliver Howell
The Philanthropy Committee assists KZCF with relationshipbuilding and fundraising to continually strengthen our culture of philanthropy.
Amy Upjohn Chairperson
Dr. L. Marshall Washington Vice Chairperson
Artrella Cohn Trustee
Dr. Jorge Gonzalez Trustee
Denise Crawford Trustee
Dr. Martinson Arnan Trustee
Dr. Xiaoan Li Trustee Matthew Babbitt Trustee
Lynn Chen-Zhang Trustee
Matthew Babbitt
ducation E
is accessible and learners are supported on their journeys.
eighborhoods N
are vibrant and community spaces nurture health, safety and strong connections.
4. Gather
Beyond grantmaking, KZCF plays a vital role in community development and leadership by working to gather groups of community members together to address systemic issues.
5. Support
To ensure that we can continue to operate at full capacity, we rely on critical support and collaboration within our internal teams, which allows us to provide necessary support to our developing donor base.
Philanthropy, Partnership & Progress
An Interview With Chief Philanthropy Officer JoaNna DoNnelly Dales
Joanna Donnelly Dales has served at KZCF for 18 years. She leads a team of Philanthropic Services & Development advisors who connect donors’ passions with community needs. Over the past year, Joanna and her team have worked to expand access to philanthropy: lowering barriers, introducing new ways to start funds and helping more people see themselves as philanthropists shaping Kalamazoo’s future.
Let’s start with the heart of it — why is a people-centered approach so vital to philanthropy today, and what difference does it make for our community?
Philanthropy, by definition, means “love of humanity.” It has always been about people, but today, that focus feels so important.
In the field, there’s been ongoing debate about whether philanthropy should be donor-centric or community-centric. I don’t see those as mutually exclusive. At KZCF, we strive for both: showing gratitude to donors and ensuring their gifts have the greatest possible impact on the community.
If philanthropy becomes too donor-centric, we risk putting donors on a pedestal instead of treating them as partners. On the other hand, a purely community-centric model can ignore the very real passions and intentions that drive donors to give to our nonprofit community. The magic happens when we bring
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What I love about KZCF is that it’s truly for everyone. No M aT ter the size of your wallet, anyone can participate and invest in the coMM unity they love. That’s powerful.
Joanna Donnelly Dales Chief Philanthropy Officer Kalamazoo Community Foundation
both perspectives together, when we help donors understand the community’s most pressing needs, and when we invite them to be part of shaping the solutions. That’s what a peoplecentered approach looks like in action.
What challenges or barriers to giving have you seen in the past that made it harder for people to participate in philanthropy?
I think one of the biggest barriers is perception. A lot of people don’t see themselves as philanthropists, but they are. “Philanthropy” sounds like a big word, and people often think it only applies to the wealthy. In truth, it’s not about wealth, it’s about generosity. Kalamazoo County is an incredibly generous place. People here love where they live and want to make it better for everyone.
Sometimes the barrier is simply language or mindset.
We can do a better job at KZCF of showing people how they can plug in, how they can support the causes, organizations and neighbors they care about most. Philanthropy isn’t just about giving money. It’s also about giving time, advice, attention and care. In that way, everyone can be a philanthropist.
Another challenge is the perception that philanthropy is complicated or only for those who can establish their own fund. We already have more than 1,200 funds that anyone can contribute to. You can give $100 or even $5 — it all counts. Every gift matters, and everyone is welcome.
We’ve also seen external barriers, like changes in tax laws that have reduced the number of people who are eligible to claim charitable deductions. The good news is, starting in 2026, individuals can receive a tax deduction for charitable gifts up to $1,000 ($2,000 for married couples filing jointly), even if they don’t itemize. But ultimately, most people give because they care, not because of tax incentives.
In the last year, KZCF lowered the Donor Advised Fund (DAF) minimum and made changes to Love Where You Live funds. How do changes like these open the door for more people to step into philanthropy?
Lowering the minimum to start a DAF is a major step toward accessibility. You can now open a fund with just $1 and build it to the $5,000 minimum over time. That flexibility lets more people use this powerful giving tool. DAFs have become one of the fastest-growing ways to give, because they work more or less like a donor’s charitable checkbook, and when these funds are housed at KZCF, we can help donors amplify their impact right here in Kalamazoo County and beyond.
We’ve also simplified our Love Where You Live funds so they’re easier to understand and more inspiring to support. We launched a new Love Where You Live Arts Fund to reflect how deeply this community values creativity. It allows anyone who loves the arts to contribute to a fund that KZCF uses strategically to strengthen the local arts, in all forms.
Finally, we want to learn as much as possible about our donors so we can provide them with the best experience. We’ve already gathered demographic data from our grantees, and now we’re surveying our donors to better understand their backgrounds, interests and motivations.
Together, these changes make giving simpler, more inclusive and more connected to what people care about most.
Our goal is for our donor co MM unity to fully reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Kala M azo O County and to M ake sure everyone who wants to be part of this work feels seen, welco M ed and valued.
Joanna Donnelly Dales Chief Philanthropy Officer Kalamazoo Community Foundation
When you say that DAFs have become one of the fastest growing giving tools at KZCF, can you tell us how those work and why you think they’re so popular?
A DAF is an easy, flexible way to organize your giving. Once you open a fund, you can log into our portal anytime, recommend grants to your favorite nonprofits, and KZCF handles all the details: writing the checks, verifying organizations and keeping records. It’s simple, streamlined and your giving history is all in one place.
Those dollars are also invested, so your giving power can grow over time. For example, my husband and I opened a modest DAF in January. We’ve made grants totaling $1,600 supporting organizations we care about. In the months since opening our DAF, it has grown by nearly $1,700. It’s as if we have our entire grantmaking to give out again!
Since our team knows this community deeply, DAF holders can lean on us for insight. If you care about housing, education or the arts, we can connect you with local nonprofit organizations making a difference. If your interests reach beyond Kalamazoo, our network of 900+ community foundations means we can help you give effectively anywhere.
That level of personal connection and expertise is what makes a KZCF DAF so special. It combines convenience, growth and true local impact.
You’ve also grown the Philanthropic Services & Development team. What was the motivation, and how does this growth strengthen the way you walk alongside donors?
When Dr. Grace joined KZCF in 2023, she was focused on expanding impact across our community — through more grantmaking, more impact investing and more opportunities for people to give. To do that, we needed greater capacity to build relationships and provide support services.
Our former Donor Relations team was excellent at stewarding contributions, and we wanted to be more proactive in helping people start funds, contribute to existing ones or support emerging community needs. That’s why we evolved into Philanthropic Services & Development and expanded the team.
Two key new roles stand out. The first is a philanthropic advisor dedicated to nonprofit organizations. Stacey Charron-Milnikel focuses on helping our agency partners strengthen their sustainability through endowment building.
The second is our estate and planned gift advisor, who helps people include charitable giving in their estate plans — a way to make a larger impact than many think is possible. Many nonprofits run lean and don’t have the capacity to develop planned giving programs. They now have a dedicated partner – Ken Greschak – at KZCF to help them secure estate gifts to sustain their future.
Together, these roles ensure donors receive deeper, more personal guidance, and nonprofits gain lasting resources to expand their work in the community.
How does the new Philanthropy Committee shape your team’s vision and help ensure our strategies reflect what matters most to our donors and community?
KZCF just turned 100, and this is the first time we’ve had a Philanthropy Committee. Its focus is on relationship-building, donor engagement and helping the community understand how KZCF can support their philanthropic goals.
While we’ve always had committees for our Finance & Investment team and our Community Impact team, this is the first one dedicated to donors — looking at policies and practices, identifying barriers, and problem-solving ways to make philanthropy more accessible.
The committee includes four board members and five community members, and they met for the first time last September.
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Philanthropy isn’t just a word for the wealthy; it’s an o P portunity for anyone to M ake a di Fference.
Joanna
Donnelly
Dales Chief Philanthropy Officer Kalamazoo Community Foundation
Legacy is a powerful word. How do you help donors think about using philanthropy to create a legacy that lasts, and what does that mean in the context of building a thriving Kalamazoo?
Creating a legacy can take many forms. A donor might establish an endowed fund during their lifetime, name KZCF in their estate plan or designate us as a beneficiary of an insurance policy. Our role is to listen carefully to what they care about — the causes or people that shaped them — and then help craft the right tool to ensure their values are supported for the long term.
We also plan for the future. Needs change, organizations evolve and some challenges may no longer exist decades from now. We talk through contingencies so that gifts continue to grow and make an impact, always aligning with the donor’s intent even as the community’s needs shift.
Looking ahead, what excites you most about the future of philanthropy in Kalamazoo County and the role everyday people can play in creating equity and opportunity?
Today, more than ever, we have an opportunity to rally around our community. KZCF was built so every resident can invest in this local foundation — your community foundation. With the right resources and talented staff, we can bring people together across differences to make a real impact.
We’re also being more vocal about what we offer donors: connecting their interests with the community’s most pressing needs.
Generosity is a superpower, and community members want to act. We’re here to help people activate their energy in ways that strengthen the whole community.
Amid national stress and divisive politics and apathy, Kalamazoo County stands out for its vibrance, compassion and generosity. That’s what excites me: everyday people stepping in to make a difference, together, right here at home.
The Gifts That Keep on Giving
An Interview With Dr. Regena Nelson
Dr. Regena Nelson, former director of the Urban Teacher Residency Program at Western Michigan University (WMU), has been a consistent KZCF donor for nearly 30 years. Her first gift supported the Women’s Education Coalition, which provides scholarships for women returning to school. Since 2018, she has given monthly to the ISAAC Endowment Fund and more recently added a recurring gift to the Love Where You Live Greatest Needs Fund, supporting Kalamazoo County’s most pressing needs.
Dr. Nelson’s story and giving journey are proof that small acts of generosity can, over time, lead to something much bigger.
For more than three decades, Dr. Regena Nelson poured her heart into education at Western Michigan University. What began as a dream to understand how young children learn grew into a 32-year career of teaching, leading and mentoring others.
“I always knew I wanted to be a professor,” she said. “Once I worked with young children in a preschool, I knew early childhood education was the thing for me.”
Her journey took her from the classroom to the chair’s office, and later to directing WMU’s Urban Teacher Residency Program — a five-year grant project that concluded just as she retired in 2025. Each step reflected her dedication to helping children, teachers and communities thrive.
A Habit of Giving Back
Long before retirement, giving was already part of Dr. Nelson’s daily life.
“I grew up understanding the concept of tithing — giving 10%,” she said. “When I got my first job, I knew I wanted to do that in my own way.”
Her generosity began with her church, then expanded to schools, scholarships and nonprofits that reflected her deepest values — especially education. Over the years, she supported her alma maters and local institutions tied to her family’s history: Loyola University, the University of Michigan, WMU and now Kalamazoo College, where her son graduated.
FroM Volunteer to Visionary
In 2006, Dr. Nelson began volunteering with ISAAC, Interfaith Strategy for Advocacy & Action in the Community. The organization’s mission to build equity and justice in Kalamazoo resonated with her immediately.
When ISAAC invited donors to begin monthly giving, Dr. Nelson saw a simple but powerful opportunity. “It was a no-brainer,” she recalls. “We started small, $20 a month, something we wouldn’t miss. Over time, it felt good to bump that up.”
As ISAAC members discussed long-term sustainability, she and members at the time helped champion the creation of an endowment fund held at KZCF. “We knew that to sustain the work, ISAAC needed an endowment,” she said. “One of our members was able to seed our fund initially, then we set a goal to work together to raise the first $50,000 over the first three years, and we exceeded it! Now that fund is growing and helping secure ISAAC’s future.”
love Where You live … & lead
That same spirit of leadership inspired Dr. Nelson to host a “Love Where You Live” gathering on WMU’s campus in partnership with KZCF.
When her philanthropic advisor, Jenna, reached out about hosting an event, “it was easy to say yes,” Dr. Nelson said. Drawing on her role in WMU’s Black Faculty and Staff Council, she organized an afternoon tea where a dozen or so colleagues could meet Dr. Grace Lubwama, president/CEO of KZCF, and learn about community philanthropy.
“It was very successful,” she said. “People got excited about how they could make an impact in that way.”
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We suPport about 30 organizations, so I’ve created a systeM that spreads gifts throughout the year. And now, we’re loOking at starting a Donor Advised Fund with KZCF — a way to give through the foundation and siMplify everything even More.
Dr. Regena Nelson
Former Director
Urban Teacher Residency Program at WMU
Giving That Grows With You
Dr. Nelson’s monthly giving philosophy is as thoughtful as her teaching. She sees recurring gifts as a way to create steady impact while making giving easier to manage.
“It’s kind of ‘set it and forget it,’” she said.
Working through KZCF also gives her confidence that her dollars are multiplying their impact. “It means a lot to know that organizations are getting individual gifts like mine and support from KZCF,” she said. “It’s like a stamp of approval — I know they’re being good stewards of the money. It’s a partnership.”
A legacy of love & Responsibility
Though she wasn’t born in Kalamazoo, Dr. Nelson now calls it home and feels a deep responsibility to nurture it.
“I’ve lived here most of my life,” she said. “I feel rooted here. I want to make this the kind of place where I want to live and where my kids can thrive.”
Her words echo the spirit behind KZCF’s mission: “I don’t want to be a taker of that. I want to contribute to that.” That conviction — to give, to build, to love where you live — defines the legacy Dr. Nelson continues to shape for Kalamazoo.
Banking On Purpose: A Workplace Philanthropy Story
First National Bank of Michigan (FNBM) is a truly local financial institution with a program that encourages its employees to engage in philanthropy through a corporate DAF, the First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund held at KZCF.
Shaunna Padgett, chief financial officer and senior vice president at FNBM, spoke with us about the inspiration behind the bank, its giving program and the ripple effects of empowered corporate philanthropy.
Investing in KalaM azo O
Founded in 2006 by two longtime bankers, Larry Lueth and John Schreuder, FNBM is the only locally-owned bank that’s headquartered in Kalamazoo, and it was created in response to a simple but powerful belief: local communities deserve local investment.
“In community banking, you don’t exist without your community,” said Padgett. “Your community has to thrive and grow, and investments have to be made in order for that to happen.”
With 80 employees and branches across southwest Michigan, FNBM has always encouraged its team to volunteer and support local causes, such as Kalamazoo Loaves & Fishes, Challenger Little League and many other staff favorites.
When they surveyed employees, the message came through loud and clear:
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Our e M ployees craved M eaningful work outside of the o Ffice. They wanted to contribute to the busine S ses and nonprofits that we su P port.
Shaunna Padgett Chief Financial Officer First National Bank of Michigan
That desire for purpose became the spark for something new.
An Interview With ShauNna PadgeT t at First National Bank of Michigan
TeaMwork Makes the DreaM Work
To turn their values into real impact, FNBM partnered with KZCF — a like-minded, locally-rooted organization that knows how to make philanthropy accessible for everyone.
Through KZCF, FNBM established their First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund, a corporate DAF designed to make giving simple, personal and powerful. KZCF gave the bank the structure and expertise to help employee generosity go further and put their guiding principles into action.
When an employee donates to a local nonprofit, they can simply submit the receipt to FNBM. The bank then matches the donation (up to $350 per employee each year) using money from their DAF at KZCF. Employees can give as much or as little as they are able, even in $5 increments.
The result? A simple, employee-guided system that empowers each person to be a philanthropist and doubles the impact of every gift.
In just 11 years, the First National Bank of Michigan Charitable Fund has become one of the most active among the hundreds managed by KZCF.
CoMM unity, CoNnection & Collective IMpact
Padgett has seen the ripple effects firsthand. “Employee camaraderie is kind of an unspoken benefit of it all,” she said.
Not only are we doing M eaningful work outside of the o Ffice, but we’re engaging in a way that you don’t often experience when you’re si T ting at your desk. “
Shaunna Padgett Chief Financial Officer
First National Bank of Michigan
The program has strengthened bonds across teams, deepened community engagement and inspired employees to see themselves as changemakers — a feeling to which Padgett can deeply attest.
“I came here for college, and I stayed because it’s the best big small town ever. That’s because of the philanthropic efforts of customers that bank with us, individuals in the community and the fact that people want to see the community thrive.”
Learning to Lead: A Fundholder’s Journey
An Interview With Si & Shirley Johnson
The Decision to Do More
Those early acts of generosity led to a realization: they wanted to give more intentionally. Encouraged by their accountant, Barbara James — who had long been active with KZCF — they decided to establish their first DAF in 2002. That decision, they said, marked a turning point from casual giving to a structured, lasting commitment.
Getting started was actually pretty easy,” Shirley recalled. “We met with our advisor, Ann Fergemann, who explained how it worked and the benefits. Initially it was just periodic check-ins when we wanted to make suggestions, but over time we became much more involved.”
Si and Shirley Johnson of Richland have been longtime donors and fundholders with KZCF. Both came from modest upbringings and were raised by mothers who volunteered well into their later years, modeling generosity and a community mindset from an early age.
In the beginning, their approach to giving was simple and informal: supporting local organizations and education initiatives when opportunities arose. As Shirley put it, “We made contributions here and there to different things, but it was fairly disorganized.”
I really would not have considered Myself a philanthropist. What I would have said at that ti M e was that Kala M azo O County is ho M e. This is where I was raised, and I wanted to figure out how we could help our co MM unity. “
Si Johnson Multiple-fundholder at KZCF
A Foundation of SuPport & Guidance
As their relationship with KZCF deepened, so did their understanding of philanthropy. Through KZCF’s guidance, they learned about emerging community needs, discovered opportunities for collaboration and found ways to align their giving with their values. The Johnsons said that working with KZCF helped them elevate their knowledge and be more thoughtful about how and where to help. Si called the partnership “a powerful combination” — one that allows donors to learn, dream and act with greater purpose. “Donor Advised Funds and the treasures at Kalamazoo Community Foundation together allow you to be more thoughtful, knowledgeable and intentional about your giving.”
One particularly meaningful example came when the Johnsons were deciding what to name their fund, something that felt superficial and not particularly important at the time. During conversations with KZCF staff, Ann helped them see how central the idea of family was to their philanthropic vision — a realization that shaped the fund’s name and meaning.
“I’ll say, the name of our fund, that was probably Ann’s wisdom and knowledge that helped us think a little more deeply,” Shirley said. “Now it’s so meaningful to me, that our giving has our family attached to it. It’s something we’re preparing to bring our daughters and grandchildren into.”
Today, the Johnsons steward two funds: the Si and Shirley Johnson Family Fund, which reflects their hope of engaging future generations, and the Si and Shirley Johnson Community Fund, a Discretionary Fund supporting broad community needs. They continue to meet regularly with KZCF advisors to refine their giving, learn about local challenges, and ensure their philanthropy remains impactful.
A legacy in Motion
Shirley said their goal has always been simple yet profound:
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Wouldn’t it be lovely if in our co MM unity everyone could have a secure, independent life? So what are the obstacles to achieving that?
Shirley Johnson Multiple-fundholder at KZCF
While the couple doesn’t seek recognition, they take pride in knowing their philanthropy will ripple outward through their children, grandchildren and the community they’ve always called home.
“Over time,” Shirley reflected, “we realized just how valuable KZCF is. I would suggest to anyone considering a fund: get in touch with a KZCF advisor who can understand your passions and what’s important to you. That relationship makes all the difference.”
1,227
DAF Grants Granted to Michigan
Eighty-four percent of KZCF DAF grant dollars are invested back into Michigan.
313 First-Time Donors
$100
Most Common Gift Size of a First-Time Donor
KZCF donor advisors love where they live and suggest the majority of their grants benefit nonprofits in our state.
who need your help the Most!
This year KZCF celebrates 100 years of making a positive and lasting impact on our community. When KZCF was established, our founders knew that it would take all of us to transform our community to ensure everyone thrives. Our community’s needs have grown, and we need you now, more than ever.
In times of uncertainty, our community depends on the stability and compassion that KZCF — and donors like you — provide. For 100 years, our organization has stood as a symbol of hope and love for Kalamazoo County. With your support, we’ll continue to be here for the next 100!
FUNDS
Greatest Needs
Supports nonprofit programs addressing the greatest needs as they change over time to make Kalamazoo County a community where all can thrive.
ARTS
Supports nonprofit programs that honor, awaken and nourish diverse arts and culture programming for a more vibrant and connected community.
eCONOMY
Provides resources for entrepreneurial and local infrastructure development, job training, and wealthbuilding opportunities to sustain a strong local economy.
e DUCATION
Supports nonprofit programs from cradle to career and scholarships for postsecondary education to provide equitable opportunities for lifelong learners.
Supports nonprofit programs to preserve and sustain Kalamazoo County’s natural environment.
Supports nonprofit programs that make housing affordable, safe and available. HOUSING
YOUTH
Provides resources to support and develop young people in Kalamazoo County.
H e AlTH
Supports nonprofit programs to increase the quality and access to health care services for all, improving countywide health outcomes.
