Establish Your Own Fund
Start a movement to lead the change you believe in.
Organizations, individuals and families, you can inspire, uplift and transform lives for generations to come by establishing a fund that supports the causes you care about.
Giving shouldn’t be complicated (or temporary).
You want to make a difference, but where do you start? Which organizations should you support? How do you ensure your generosity isn’t just a one-time act but something that lasts? Without a plan, good intentions can get lost in uncertainty, and sometimes the adventure into philanthropy can end before it really begins.
A fund through KZCF ensures your impact continues beyond today.
Whether you’re creating a family legacy, inspiring philanthropy among your children, or funding innovative solutions for the next generation, starting a fund with KZCF makes philanthropy easy, allowing you to be as involved (or hands-off) as you’d like, while ensuring your impact will last for years to come.
Donor-Driven, Flexible Fund Options for Every Level of Giving
KZCF stewards five different types of funds, some which support a particular need or area of interest, while others are versatile and multipurpose. Wherever your giving heart guides you, we can create a fund that gets you there.
Types of Funds:
Discretionary Funds
Provide the most impact by allowing KZCF to address emerging community needs.
Field-of-Interest Funds
Support broad areas of need, such as education, the arts, or community well-being.
Donor Advised Funds
Maintain flexibility by recommending grants to charities of your choice.
Nonprofit Funds
Ensure lasting support for a specific nonprofit organization or educational or religious institutions.
Scholarship Funds
Invest in the future by supporting local students and learners of all ages.
4 Ways a KZCF Fund Can Support Your Giving Goals
Honoring the Memory of a Loved One
An endowment is a beautiful way to create a lasting tribute that reflects the values of a loved one and supports causes they cared about.
Inspiring & Empowering the Next Generation
By making philanthropy a shared family or communal practice, individuals can instill a collective tradition of giving that continues for generations.
Personalized Giving Options
Personal and flexible, you can tailor your restricted or unrestricted fund to support the causes that matter most to you, now and in the future.
Simplified Sustained Impact
Enjoy expert guidance and streamlined management, with the confidence that your charitable contributions continue supporting meaningful work for generations to come.
KZCF Fund Facts You Can Count On
Funds Are Easy to Start & Manage with Dedicated Support
Everyone is a philanthropist at heart, and it shouldn’t be difficult or intimidating to invest in our community. That’s why our fund process is simple and accessible, with a dedicated team behind you for the life of your fund.
Time & Cost Savings With Built-In Guidance & Connectivity
Complimentary consultation, goal-setting, and information is available for fund creators, supporters, and financial advisors and their clients to make the giving process easy and efficient.
Strong & Consistent investment Performance
Over the past decade, our investment performance has ranked in the top one percent among community foundations nationwide!
Stress-Free Asset Transfer Assistance
KZCF can support or completely manage the transfer of complex assets, acting as a partner to financial advisors and an extension of a donor’s advisory team.
Charitable Deductions & Tax Benefits
Donors can maximize tax benefits while creating long-term positive change — our team has resources to help you navigate.
Make your mark, get set, go!
Inquire Online
Our easy inquiry form initiates a Q&A session with a member of our Philanthropic Services & Development team. Once we receive your inquiry, we’ll reach out to you for scheduling.
Establish Goals & Tailor Your Fund
We’ll work together to define your goals and tailor your fund to your legacy wishes. KZCF offers financial guidance and asset transfer assistance to donors and their advisors.
Your Fund Is Good to Grow!
As soon as your fund is established, community members and organizations across Kalamazoo County can benefit from your generosity today and forever.
Get a fund convo started — our team is ready to assist.
Fund Facts & Resources Within Reach
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.
Find your cause — choose from over 1,000 established funds.
KZCF connects generous donors to the causes they care about that impact our community most, maximizes every giving dollar, and enhances the philanthropic experience.
Not ready to start a fund of your own? No problem! With so many to choose from, you can find and support an existing fund to confidently live (and give) into your values.
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.
