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 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 people-centered approach looks like in action.
“What I love about KZCF is that it’s truly for everyone. No matter the size of your wallet, anyone can participate and invest in the community they love. That’s powerful.”
— Joanna Donnelly Dales, Chief Philanthropy Officer, KZCF
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 community to fully reflect the diversity and vibrancy of Kalamazoo County and to make sure everyone who wants to be part of this work feels seen, welcomed and valued.”
— Joanna Donnelly Dales, Chief Philanthropy Officer, KZCF
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 ensureour 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.
“Philanthropy isn’t just a word for the wealthy; it’s an opportunity for anyone to make a difference.”
— Joanna Donnelly Dales, Chief Philanthropy Officer, KZCF
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.
