Working Together Toward an Equitable Kalamazoo County: A Message to Our Professional Advisor Partners

At Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF), we understand that many of our community members face real and persistent challenges. Racial, social and economic injustices continue to affect many individuals and families across Kalamazoo County. For some, these inequities can show up in having to navigate underfunded schools or limited access to healthcare. For others, inequities can look like exclusion from wealth-building opportunities or a lack of access to basic needs, like housing and food. While we know that these are not new issues, we do face a newfound urgency in eliminating them and creating a thriving community for all. For many residents in Kalamazoo who are passionate about addressing these challenges, figuring out how to respond, where to invest energy or who to partner with can be difficult. 

At KZCF, our Philanthropic Services & Development team exists to make things as easy as possible for everyone in our community who is ready to join us in ushering in a future rooted in equity, justice and shared opportunity. 

The Perks of Partnership: Understanding How KZCF Supports Professional Advisors 

Some of the most powerful partnerships we rely on to address our community’s greatest challenges are the ones we share with professional advisors. Whether you are a financial planner, CPA, wealth manager or estate attorney, your role in guiding clients through important life decisions cannot be overstated. We know your clients turn to you not only for expertise, but also for insight, perspective and trust. Increasingly, they also look to you for help in aligning their financial and estate plans with their values, including a desire to give back. 

You are more than a technical expert — you are a changemaker. 

That’s why we view our relationship with professional advisors as a true partnership. Professional advisors bring a deep understanding of their clients’ personal and financial goals. We bring decades of philanthropic experience, community insight and flexible giving solutions tailored to each donor’s vision for impact. Together, we can help your clients support the causes they care about most, both today and for generations to come. 

Tools for Success: Introducing KZCF’s New Guide to Philanthropy   

As the most trusted philanthropic partner for every resident of Kalamazoo, KZCF is committed to supporting you and your clients through every step of the charitable giving process. Our team works alongside advisors like you to simplify complex gifts, identify strategic opportunities and ensure that your clients’ philanthropic legacies are honored with integrity and care. Whether a client is interested in starting a Donor-Advised Fund, making a gift through their estate plan or exploring other charitable tools, we are here to help you deliver high-value solutions with confidence. 

To support this partnership, we’ve created the KZCF Guide to Philanthropy — a practical and accessible resource developed specifically for professional advisors. This guide serves as your on-ramp to discovering the various ways KZCF can support your work and enhance your client relationships. Of the many helpful things inside, you’ll find: 

• A breakdown of giving vehicles available through KZCF 

• Guidance on how to start conversations with clients about charitable giving 

• Insights into values-based giving and legacy planning 

• Information on how we partner with financial advisors through our Local Investment Manager Program 

• Step-by-step details on how to open funds or include KZCF in an estate plan 

• Answers to common questions you and your clients may have 

The guide is not just a reference tool — it’s an invitation. We hope you will use it to begin or deepen conversations with clients about philanthropy and explore how charitable giving can be a meaningful part of your practice. 

We encourage you to think of KZCF as an extension of your team. We are always available for consultation, whether that means sitting down together with a client, helping you evaluate gift options or working through the logistics of a unique asset transfer. No matter the complexity, we’re here to simplify the process and create a smooth, collaborative experience for you and your clients! 

With tools like the Guide to Philanthropy and strong, ongoing relationships with advisors like you, we can continue to build the kind of community we all want to live in — one where every person has the opportunity to thrive and where generosity is not just a value, but a way forward.