Love Where You Live Funds = Easy, Flexible Giving

A gift to one of our eight Love Where You Live Funds is the fastest and easiest way to donate to Kalamazoo Community Foundation and support the local cause you care about.

As a Love Where You Live Fund philanthropist, your contributions are pooled with other gifts from like-minded donors and expressly used to support the cause you choose. Since these funds become part of a permanent endowment, no matter the size of your gift, it will grow and continue to benefit Kalamazoo County forever.

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Feeling Overwhelmed with So Many Giving Options?

Let us help you focus your giving and stay flexible with evolving community needs — the best of both worlds!

Whether you’re passionate about education, youth, health, or more, Love Where You Live Funds let you direct your dollars to the cause that moves you without getting bogged down in the details. You choose the fund that aligns with your values, and we handle the rest — making sure your gift goes to effective, local nonprofits doing the work. Your gift stays flexible, local and built to last.

Explore All 8 Love Where You Live Fund Options

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Greatest Needs

Supports nonprofit programs addressing the greatest needs as they change over time to make Kalamazoo County a community where all can thrive.

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Environment

Supports nonprofit programs to preserve and sustain Kalamazoo County’s natural environment.

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Arts

Supports nonprofit programs that honor, awaken and nourish diverse arts and culture programming for a more vibrant and connected community.

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Health

Supports nonprofit programs to increase the quality and access to health care services for all, improving county-wide health outcomes.

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Economy

Provides resources for entrepreneurial and local infrastructure development, job training and wealth-building opportunities to sustain a strong local economy.

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Housing

Supports nonprofit programs that make housing affordable, safe and available.

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Education

Supports nonprofit programs from cradle to career and scholarships for post-secondary education to provide equitable opportunities for lifelong learners.

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Youth

Provides resources to support and develop young people in Kalamazoo County.

2024 LWYL Grant Awards Breakdown By Cause

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  • Basic Needs & Human Services

$1,795,000

  • Education, Learning, Early Childhood Learning & School Readiness

$1,780,015

  • Economic Development & Community Improvement

$562,720

  • Civil Rights, Social Action & Advocacy

$726,000

  • Housing & Shelter

$816,000

  • Youth Development

$659,985

  • Health Care, Mental Health & Crisis Intervention

$656,500

  • Arts, Culture & Humanities

$579,600

  • Legal Related

$410,000

  • Nonprofit Sector Capacity Building

$210,000

Grand Total:

6 Reasons to Love Where You Live

Cause-Aligned

You get to choose the community issue that matters to you most — it’s quick and easy!

Enduring Change

Every LWYL fund is permanently endowed, so gifts of all sizes will grow and continue to give back.

Local Impact

As always, funds stay in Kalamazoo County supporting organizations and projects close to home.

Trusted Partners

We fund hundreds of high-impact, local nonprofits, so your gift will make a real difference.

Collective Power

Your contributions get pooled with other like-minded donors for greater reach and even bigger giving.

Flexible Giving Options

You can make a one-time or recurring gift and pause or adjust your contributions anytime.

"KZCF is an essential part of helping people in Kalamazoo County invest in the causes they care about most like housing or education. Donating to the LWYL funds in turn makes our beloved community stronger by having resources available to address immediate, annual and long-term community needs."

Kerry Seaver-Block and Family
LWYL Donor

"KZCF’s initial funding was crucial when we were a small, starting-out organization, and their continued Multiyear General Operations Grant support provides the stability and predictability essential for growing our impact. Thanks to this support, we now distribute more than 80,000 essential products per month to families in our community."

Sarah Koestler

Executive Director, Care Collective of Southwest Michigan

“I give to KZCF because investment in the future of my community matters as much as does giving for immediate needs.”

Joellen Silberman
– LWYL Donor

“Kalamazoo is an incredible city in which to live, but like every other city, there are many who struggle in one way or another. Chuck and I welcomed the opportunity to contribute to aid those whose needs were not being met. I feel privileged to continue to support “Love Where You Live” going forward. Together we can make Kalamazoo even better for everyone.”

Carol and Chuck Yager
LWYL Donor

Love Where You Live. Give Where It Matters.

Choose Your Fund

From Greatest Needs or one of seven focus areas.

Set Your Donation Amount

Contributions of any size can make a big difference.

Decide Your Frequency

Choose a one-time or recurring gift and adjust anytime.

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Have Fund Questions? Jenna to the Rescue!

To learn more about Love Where You Live causes and giving options, connect with Jenna Maxwell via the contact form or call 269.381.4416.

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More Funds & Programs to Explore

Opioid Remediation Grants

After a successful partnership with the Kalamazoo County Government in 2024, KZCF was selected once again to distribute $1.5 million in opioid remediation grants to support local 501(c)(3) organizations over the next three years.

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Social Impact Investment Fund

The Social Impact Investment Fund is a first-of-its-kind fund dedicated to impact investing. This unique fund fuels impact investments — low-interest loans, equity investments, intermediary capital and more — to help local leaders and lenders bring bold community solutions to life.

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Emergency Scholarship Fund

Since 2021, KZCF has supported today’s students with funding to cover emergency needs as they arise at any time of year. The intent of this scholarship is to help students cover unexpected or unmet financial tuition or book needs that may otherwise prevent them from...

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