Donate Now to Join Our Movement
Support racial, social and economic justice in your community.
Every KZCF donation is a gift that keeps on giving.
KZCF uses endowments to re-invests donor dollars, so even small, one-time donations can grow into bigger gifts that continue to support our community in perpetuity.
Essentially, when your dollars come in, they get invested. The original donation accrues interest which goes to work making an impact for individuals, families, businesses and neighborhoods all across Kalamazoo county.
Your original gift is preserved, so it continues to accrue interest (more and faster over time), becoming a never-ending source of funding for future projects — truly a gift that keeps on giving!
Philanthropy, Your Way: Easy, Personalized & Powerful
One-Time & Recurring Donation Options
Donors can make one-time and recurring donations on our website in a few clicks or mail a check if low-tech is more your style.
Easy-to-Start Funds
Ready to level up your philanthropy? We make it easy to establish a fund to champion a cause close to your heart.
Gifts of Any Size or Type
We accepts and assists donors with a wide variety of contributions, like securities, real estate and life insurance, to ensure that everyone can help make a big impact.
Charitable Deductions & Tax Benefits
Donors may be eligible for charitable deductions based on your gift, and our team can provide resources related to philanthropy and tax benefits.
Tailored Service
Our Philanthropic Services & Development team is here and ready to speak with you about every aspect of your experience. We invite you to give us a call or visit us in person!
Choose Your Giving Pathway
3 Easy Ways to Donate Instantly
Prefer low-tech? Write a check!
Get out your fancy pen and make your check payable to:
Kalamazoo Community Foundation
402 East Michigan Avenue
Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3888
Be sure to include the name of your chosen fund on the check’s memo line.
Planned Giving Options & Non-Cash Gifts
Each planned gift method has its own advantages depending on your financial situation, philanthropic goals and tax considerations. This information is not intended as tax, legal or financial advice. We encourage you to consult with your professional advisor when considering planned gifts of any kind.
Don’t have an advisor? Contact us for suggestions.
Bequests (Wills & Trusts)
Although legal consultation is always advisable before designing will provisions, you should know that a bequest may be simply stated in a will as follows:
“I give and bequeath to Kalamazoo Community Foundation _________% of my total estate (or $__________ ).”
Retirement Beneficiary Designations
You name KZCF as a beneficiary of your retirement accounts (e.g., IRA, 401(k), 403(b)) or bank or investment accounts (Transfer on Death or Payable on Death designations). This is often one of the easiest and most tax-efficient ways to leave a legacy gift.
Life Insurance Gifts
You name KZCF as a beneficiary of an existing policy or transfer ownership of the policy to KZCF. If transferring ownership, your premium payments may be tax-deductible.
Income Generating: Charitable Gift Annuities (CGA)
This is a contract between you and KZCF where you give a lump sum donation (and receive the tax benefits of that gift) and then receive lifetime fixed income payments from that gift, a portion of which are tax-free. This can be funded with cash, appreciated stocks or other assets. You can even use a Qualified Charitable Distribution from your IRA up to $54,000. Upon your passing, the remaining balance comes to KZCF. This provides both immediate tax benefits and stable income for you.
Income Generating: Charitable Remainder Trusts (CRT)
You create an irrevocable trust that provides income to you (or another beneficiary) for life or for a term of years. At the end of the term, the remainder is given to KZCF. Types include a Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT), where variable income is based on a percentage of trust assets, or a Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT), which ensures fixed income payments.
Charitable Lead Trusts (CLT)
You create an irrevocable trust and that trust pays KZCF an income for a set number of years. At the end of the term, the remaining assets go to back to you, your heirs or other beneficiaries. This is great for donors looking to reduce estate taxes while benefiting charity in the short term.Payments are based on your age; The older you are the greater the annuity payment. If you prefer, you can receive an income tax deduction now and defer receiving the annuity payments until a future date of your choosing. After receiving annuity payments for life, the remainder interest may be used to establish a named charitable fund, or be added to an existing fund.
The tax advantages of both a current and deferred annuity are two-fold. First, you receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction when you create your annuity. Second, a portion of the payments you receive may be treated either as tax-free return of principal or long-term capital gains. These tax advantages increase the effective value of the annuity payments.
IRA Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCD)
If you are aged 70½ or older, you can donate up to $105,000 per year (2024 limit) directly from your IRA to KZCF. The amount is excluded from taxable income and can satisfy Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs).
Note: This cannot be used for Donor Advised Funds or private foundations.
Retained Life Estate (RLE)
You transfer ownership of a personal residence, farm or vacation home to KZCF while retaining the right to live in or use the property for life. This creates an immediate tax deduction and removes property from taxable estate.
Got giving trouble? Joanna can help.
To learn more about giving at KZCF, connect with Joanna Donnelly Dales, Chief Philanthropy Officer, via the contact form or call 269.381.4416.
Need a copy of our gift acceptance policy? Call our Philanthropic Services & Development team at 269.381.4416 or request a copy online.
Philanthropy Resources & Updates
Donor-Driven Philanthropy
Everyone has a heart for giving and should be empowered to make an impact.
Black History Month Spotlight Series: The Honorable Carolyn H. Williams
During this Black History Month, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is honored to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our Black and African American donors. Through their generous donations, which have spanned the course of decades, KZCF has been able to continue the work of helping to make Kalamazoo the most equitable place to live.
Black History Month Spotlight Series: Valerie Mitchell
During this Black History Month, the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is honored to shine a spotlight on the incredible contributions of our Black and African American donors. Through their generous donations, which have spanned the course of decades, KZCF has been able to continue the work of helping to make Kalamazoo the most equitable place to live.
Make a Gift That Keeps on Giving!
Contributions to KZCF ensure your gifts will continue to benefit our community forever. Help us make an impact that lasts for generations to come by giving a gift today.