Neighbors,
For the past three years, I have had the privilege of leading Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) forward to advance racial, social and economic justice for every member of our community. That responsibility does not change based on what is popular, comfortable, or convenient. It is with this in mind that I want to address recent headlines about some national Donor Advised Fund (DAF) providers choosing to block grants to the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) following a federal indictment.
As leaders in philanthropy, I believe we have a duty to accurately educate and inform our communities. To this end, I want to state plainly that an indictment is not a conviction. It represents one step in a legal process, not the final word.  When philanthropic institutions choose to stop funding based solely on an allegation, they make a judgment that directly impacts the nonprofits working every day to make communities safer and stronger. Decisions like these can have a significant effect on us all.
We know that philanthropy plays a vital role in a healthy democracy. Together, we invest in the very things that strengthen civil society, mobilize civic engagement and help fill gaps in public services. For more than fifty years, the SPLC has taken on work that many would not choose to do, tracking hate groups, challenging organized racism and protecting people targeted because of who they are. This kind of work has always been difficult and, unfortunately, necessary.
We want to be clear about where we stand and our approach. Donors who wish to support the SPLC, or any nonprofit advancing civil rights, can do so through KZCF. DAFs continue to serve as an excellent tool for anyone looking to maintain the flexibility of suggesting grants to eligible organizations of their choosing. For local changemakers who want to make a difference, these funds offer one of the best ways to do so by connecting your values with cultivating the community you want to see.
If you are wondering what you can do right now to move forward, we invite you to consider the following:
- Support the SPLC directly, if that aligns with your values: https://www.splcenter.org/.
- Ask your DAF provider questions about how they decide when to restrict grants, what values guide those decisions, etc.
- Think about where your fund lives and consider if your current provider limits your ability to support the organizations you believe in. If so, we are available to talk about whether KZCF might be a better home for your philanthropy.  Click here to learn more.
KZCF will continue to stand with the organizations doing the work that moves us towards making Kalamazoo County the most equitable place to live, and with the donors who want to be part of that journey.
Steadfast in our mission,
Dr. Grace Lubwama
President/CEO
Kalamazoo Community Foundation
