Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence Youth Mobility Fund Helping Kalamazoo youth get where they need to go in our City so that they can get where they need to go in life
Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo Expanding development, employment, and entrepreneurial opportunities for everyone
Tax Foreclosure Prevention
Zero homeowner tax foreclosures in the City of Kalamazoo for the first time in generations
Annual Newsletter | Fall 2019
More than $60 million budgeted since 2017 Property Tax Savings
$33.2 million Aspirational Projects
$19.4 million Budget Stabilization
$7.8 million See it for yourself! The Foundation for Excellence is excited to introduce an interactive dashboard tool that allows you to explore the investments that it is making in the city! You can view investment and tax reduction savings by neighborhood, Imagine Kalamazoo goal, or category on an interactive map. The dashboard is built from FFE budget data since its creation in 2017 and property tax analysis by the W.E. Upjohn Institute for Employment Research. You can find a link to the tool at www.kalamazoocity.org/ffe.
In 2017, the City Operating Millage was reduced from 19 to 12 mills to provide tax relief to all individuals and businesses that are subject to property taxes, regardless of income level. The reduction is intended to be permanent, making Kalamazoo more regionally competitive in attracting and retaining jobs, investment, and talent.
The Foundation for Excellence invests millions of dollars per year in aspirational projects in the City of Kalamazoo. The projects are aligned with the vision of Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 and include projects like the Youth Mobility Fund, affordable housing initiatives, complete streets, park improvements, and support for neighborhood businesses.
With a stable budget, city services can be maintained and adapted to community needs. The Foundation for Excellence ensures that the City of Kalamazoo has a stable General Fund budget, even during times when state revenue sharing or the broader economic climate may otherwise create challenges.
Unique Plans for Unique Neighborhoods Like all work of the City, work supported by the Foundation for Excellence is guided by the Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 (IK2025) Master Plan and Strategic Vision. More local planning is underway for each of Kalamazoo’s unique neighborhoods.
Oakwood
Edison
The Oakwood Neighborhood Association adopted its Plan on March 4, 2019. Through the planning process they connected with interns from Western Michigan University’s nonprofit management program to help Oakwood strengthen its reach, achieve capacity goals, and improve wayfinding signs.
Edison amended their Neighborhood Plan on February 4, 2019. It has informed the coming redesign of Portage Street through the Washington Square business district to include on-street parking and new light poles. The “Community” chapter of the Plan focuses on homeownership classes, as well as healthy food and exercise classes. These were offered for the first time through the neighborhood association in 2019. The community’s vision, documented in the plan, was used to leverage a $500,000 grant for improvements to the Farmers Market, which has an important role in the economic, cultural, and historical life of the neighborhood.
Eastside Eastside’s plan, approved on December 3, 2018, includes improving bus stops through things like benches and accessibility improvements consistent with the Americans with Disabilities Act guidelines. Because of the plan, Eastside also worked to improve food access by connecting with Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC) to hold weekly food bank drop-offs throughout the summer, as well as healthy cooking demonstrations and additional resource sharing.
Vine
Northside Since the Northside Neighborhood Association adopted its Neighborhood Plan on September 4, 2018, they have established the Northside Cultural Business District Authority (NCBDA). This authority supports increasing the number of locally-owned businesses, especially those owned by African-Americans and low-income individuals. Three new zoning districts were created to help achieve this vision, along with protections of existing single family homes. The NCBDA is also working with local artists to create murals throughout the Northside Neighborhood, and has leveraged their plan to apply for numerous grants to support a food entrepreneurship and small business hub.
The Vine Neighborhood Association adopted their Neighborhood Plan on December 3, 2018, and have since started to modernize their parking ordinances with community input, added bike racks to South Westnedge Park and Dutton Park, and added murals to the Vine Center Business District at Vine and South Westnedge. Free yoga classes and live entertainment support the Vine Plan’s interest in bettering recreation and arts programing in the neighborhood. Planning is underway for Parkview and Oakland/Winchell (2019), and West Main Hill and Stuart (2020). Ten plans remain to be created. The Plans have many additional benefits, including creating focus for other community initiatives that seek to answer the needs identified by residents. Mural by local artist Ellen Nelson completed in 2019, located at Vine Corners near Read and Write Kalamazoo.
Zero Homeowner Tax Foreclosures in 2019 An innovative Tax Foreclosure Prevention Partnership between the Kalamazoo County Treasurer, Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), and the City of Kalamazoo reached its ambitious goal of eliminating tax foreclosures on owner-occupied homes in the City of Kalamazoo in 2019. “This is truly a historic achievement,” said County Treasurer Mary Balkema, adding, “This number has never been zero in any of our lifetimes.” The program makes use of the County’s existing hardship criteria and one-on-one financial counselling to aid homeowners who have not only the greatest need for assistance, caused by a medical or other catastrophic life event for example, but also the highest likelihood of exiting foreclosure debt permanently. The partnership, which was supported by $80,000 of Foundation for Excellence funding through the City’s partnership with LISC, built on the successful 2018 pilot program that resulted in zero tax foreclosures on owneroccupied homes in the Northside Neighborhood.
In 2019, 27 of the 32 homeowners that received help from this program , or 84 percent, were residents of the Northside, Eastside or Edison neighborhoods “The homeowners who were helped were mostly seniors on fixed incomes and people coming out of the hospital who had experienced a medical emergency. We got them onto a payment plan to move forward in paying off what they owed. Everyone in this program was deeply grateful that they were able to stay in the house they had lived in for many years or decades,” said Mary Balkema. Mayor Bobby Foundation for a difference in this from the
J. Hopewell emphasized that, “the Excellence is helping folks and making our residents’ lives everyday. We know testimonials from people who have
“This is truly a historic achievement. This number has never been zero in any of our lifetimes.” stayed in their houses, whether because of this work or the overall reduction in city property tax.” Program success resulted in part from the door-to-door outreach done by a team of City and County officials, including Treasurer Balkema, County Commissioner Stephanie Moore, Mayor Hopewell, and City Commissioner David Anderson. “This partnership between the City and the County is a triumph,” said Commissioner Anderson. The County Treasurer’s activities also had positive results countywide. No one who owns and occupies their home had a hardship form denied. Payment plans were agreed to in all cases. “Kalamazoo County is focused on addressing homelessness and developing affordable housing strategies with all of our partners in the county. The effort to prevent foreclosures and keep families in their homes aligns with our housing focus, and is a notable accomplishment for the entire community,” said County Administrator Tracie Moored. “We know that keeping people in their homes helps to prevent many of the negative social and economic outcomes that arise from housing insecurity, especially for children and seniors,” continued Mayor Hopewell. “This is important work that also helps ensure that the youth in our community are not just Promise-eligible, but Promise-ready.” This foreclosure prevention partnership is intended to continue each year to help avoid all preventable foreclosures on owner-occupied residences in the City of Kalamazoo.
Youth Mobility Fund Helping Kalamazoo’s youth get where they need to go in our City so that they can get where they need to go in life. Starting this fall, Kalamazoo Public Schools (KPS) high non-transferable. If lost or stolen, only one replacement school students won’t need to worry about transportation! will be available per student per year at a cost of $5. No The City of Kalamazoo has partnered with Metro, personal information is contained in the card’s technology. Kalamazoo Public Schools and Kalamazoo Public Library (KPL) Metro wants all riders to feel safe The Youth Mobility Fund will ensure that to start a new initiative called the and comfortable while using public transportation is available for youth to Youth Mobility Fund. The initiative transportation, so all riders are explore afterschool programs, education eliminates fares on the public required to follow its common and employment opportunities, and transportation system for KPS sense rules of conduct (available at ultimately utilize their Kalamazoo Promise students in grades 9 – 12, making www.kmetro.com). Please note Scholarship. The empowerment that it easier for students to access that all Metro buses are equipped comes with being able to travel throughout educational, employment, social, with video recording devices for the community is invaluable towards a and cultural opportunities. security. student’s feeling of belonging and inclusion. Passes are issued with KPS student IDs, which also serve as Kalamazoo Public Library cards, continuing the “OneCard” program that was started by KPL and KPS in 2018.
This collaboration is a direct result of the City’s commitment to providing equitable opportunities for all of its residents.
How does it work? To ride for free, the eligible student simply taps their pass on the farebox and shows the picture on their ID to the driver for verification. It’s that simple. The Youth Mobility Fund also provides Metro Connect services to certified riders. ID cards will be valid for one year from the date issued by the schools, including summer break, and are
What other resources are available?
In addition to Google Maps, the myStop mobile app can help students find bus schedules and track bus times. The “Out of School Time” youth program finder at www.kydnet.org can help connect students with personal growth opportunities. For more information, contact Metro at (269) 337-8222 or visit www.kmetro.com.
- Von Washington, Jr., Kalamazoo Promise
All Metro fixed route buses can carry up to two bikes on their rack. If the racks are full, riders with bikes will need to wait for the next bus.
Why now?
Phoenix High School student shows his ID after scanning Youth Mobility Pass to ride Metro.
There is universal agreement among educators and youth development professionals in Kalamazoo that transportation is a major barrier to educational, career, family and cultural development of high school students. The Foundation for Excellence is, for the first time, making it possible to address many transportation costs. Furthermore, transportation has been identified as a significant thread running through the Imagine Kalamazoo Master Plan. Removing barriers and creating new mobility for youth supports the goals of Youth Development, Economic Vitality, Shared Prosperity, Connected City, Inviting Public Places, and Environmental Responsibility.
Investing in Housing for Everyone A safe, affordable home can be a key to individual and family well-being and wealth building, and the foundation for strong neighborhoods. And yet, in recent years, federal programs managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for the creation of affordable housing have either ended or had major funding reductions. At the same time, programs meant to replace HUD do not adequately address our community’s needs. Developers that want to repair or improve affordable housing often do not have the resources and tools to make it work. Low and moderate-income families also find it difficult to access resources to invest in their own homes. Repairs are often essential given that 70% of Kalamazoo’s housing stock was built more than 70 years ago. This is why the Foundation for Excellence has made it a priority to invest in affordable housing opportunities. The term “affordable housing” represents the generally accepted standard of spending not more than 30% of gross income on gross housing costs. Homeowners and renters that are paying more than 30% for housing are considered “burdened” by their housing costs. Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 called for action to address the City’s affordable housing needs. In 2019, 137 affordable housing units were built, renovated, or are currently in progress through a
partnership with the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC) and local housing non-profits, including Hope Network, Housing Resources Inc., Kalamazoo County Land Bank Authority, Kalamazoo County, Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services, Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity, Northside Association for Community Development, Open Doors, Public Housing Commission, Residential Opportunities Inc., and the Vine Neighborhood Association. Together, they are a part of the Kalamazoo Affordable Housing Initiative (KAHI) to help make quality affordable housing available to residents with incomes at 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and below. The FFE supports a housing strategy focused on five goals: expand the city’s housing supply; preserve and produce more affordable housing; catalyze neighborhood revitalization; minimize
displacement and housing hardship; and nurture diverse communities. Housing entities working with LISC participate in community meetings and events, including many related to the City’s “Imagine Kalamazoo” and “Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo” initiatives. LISC and the KAHI are making equity, inclusion, and diversity a priority. Additional work is being done to support the building and renovation of units, including homeowner foreclosure prevention, assistance with clouded titles to homes, and expanding credit availability in the mortgage market to sustain homeownership for communities of color. Other strategies aimed to increase homeownership for people of color include addressing the income and wealth gap and reducing the burden of high rents that undermine financial stability and hinder savings.
New construction of single family Neighborhood, are part of a com and keep people in their homes. P
Investing in Housing at the Block Level
The Creamery Project, a mixed-income housing development located in the Edison Neighborhood, will add 48 units, including 15 for households at or below 30% AMI. The project also includes 24/7 childcare onsite offered by the YWCA.
Residents of Ada Street in Kalamazoo’s Northside Neighborhood have organized home and block improvement projects. “Community partners are working hard to support their vision,” said Carrie Drake of Building Blocks of Kalamazoo. The project really gained momentum in 2018 when Mothers of Hope acquired a house on Ada Street through the Land Bank. Residents began door knocking and bringing people together to talk about a vision for the block. Building Blocks was contacted by the resident group to build a diverse presence of residents and partners. Building Blocks was able to use funding in the fall of 2018 to begin planning work, and by the spring of 2019 there was a list of things that residents wanted to accomplish between Ada and Florence, and the cross streets Burrel and Woodbury. LISC identified funds for 2019 to execute the list of home improvements: Kalamazoo Neighborhood Housing Services did roofing, Community Homeworks did critical interior
y homes, like this house in Kalamazoo’s Eastside mprehensive strategy to help provide affordable housing Partners like Habitat for Humanity are vital in this effort.
home repairs, Senior Services has been responsible for other interior improvements, and The American Red Cross has provided support with installing smoke detectors. The City additionally supported the project by accelerating demolition of blighted homes identified by residents. This project is an excellent example of how partnerships can help homeowners increase the value of their asset and beautify their streets.
Encouraging Private Investment in Housing In addition to direct partnerships at the house or block level, through incentives like Payments In Lieu of Taxes (PILOTs) and other tax incentives, the City of Kalamazoo works with private developers to incorporate affordable housing into larger scale projects. These incentives make it possible to include affordable units in developments in which they might not otherwise be possible. There are several large developments currently underway in the City that illustrate this, such as the Creamery Project located in the Edison Neighborhood. The project was
made possible in part due to a PILOT approved by the City Commission, tax incentives from the City of Kalamazoo Brownfield Redevelopment Authority, state housing incentives, and support from the Foundation for Excellence through the partnership with LISC. The project includes mixed-income housing units including 15 units reserved for households at 30% AMI or lower. Harrison Circle, an affordable housing development planned in the River’s Edge District of the Northside Neighborhood, is another example. Of the development’s 80 units, 64 will be for households ranging from 30-80% AMI. The Harrison Circle Development also benefitted from a PILOT approved by the City Commission as well as other incentives from the Michigan State Housing Development Authority and support from the Brownfield Redevelopment Authority. Preserving affordable single-family homes, renovating existing units, and incentivizing private developments are all important components to creating diverse and affordable housing options for everyone in our city.
Economic Development The Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 planning process identified a need for more small business support and increased opportunities for entrepreneurs, which was echoed in the Shared Prosperity Plan. Several major steps have been taken in 2018 and 2019 to make progress in meeting these needs. First, the Business Development Fund was established with FFE support to make resources available through the Small Business Program. Residents can now access a range of resources to start or grow a business with 20 or fewer employees. It is often difficult for small businesses or entrepreneurs to access the capital they need. That was the experience for Duanta Taylor, owner of the youth entertainment business “Klassy Kidz”. Where traditional lenders were unwilling to extend credit, the Small Business Program made a loan of $35,000 on agreeable terms. Small Business Programs include: • Technical Assistance such as marketing, accounting, and other core business areas. • Business Grants up to $2,500 • Business Loans up to $35,000 for things like engineering, site or infrastructure rehabilitation, storefront improvements, design, and technical assistance. • Gap Financing up to $25,000 for businesses that have received 75% of their needed financing through traditional lenders but still need additional funding. Another important step forward is that the Economic Development team has reorganized to focus on its customers: business owners, entrepreneurs,
Klassy Kidz, a mobile youth entertainment business, received a Busin Development Fund loan in 2019 to expand. The funds helped secure a vechicle, picture with owner Duanta Taylor.
and developers of all sizes. Whether you are an aspiring entrepreneur just starting out or a seasoned business
We’re here to help! development@kalamazoocity.org 415 E Stockbridge Ave Kalamazoo, MI 49001 (269) 337-8026 professional looking to expand your operation, the City’s Economic Development staff is here to help. A wide array of resources and assistance is available, spanning the complete continuum of business development needs. If you need help writing a business plan, selecting or acquiring a site, planning, navigating local and state incentives, or even succession planning, the City is happy to be your first phone call. Contact our staff today and we will gladly assist you in navigating this complex environment.
New Opportunities for Minority Tradespeople What started as an informal gathering in early 2019 has evolved into a regular
meeting of minority contractors and business owners working to expand opportunities for their businesses. “When we convened our first meeting, we brought everyone together and asked how business was going and how we could help,” explained Dwayne Powell Jr., Neighborhood Business & Special Projects Coordinator for the City of Kalamazoo and one of the group’s main organizers. “We heard the same thing from everyone: that they were looking for more opportunities.” This led to a more formal monthly meeting that included contractors and tradespeople at all levels, representatives from community organizations, and some of the largest construction companies, developers, and general contractors in the area. Since the first official meeting in February, the group has grown to roughly 80 participants, 50 of whom are minority contractors or tradespeople. These monthly meetings help connect people with opportunities that may be available on larger
ness a new
Douglass Community Association President Sidney Ellis, Mayor Bobby J. Hopewell, Urban Alliance Executive Director Luke Kujacznski, and LISC President Maurice Jones cut the ribbon at the Financial Opportunity Center.
projects or with larger companies. The City of Kalamazoo is currently preparing to offer a pre-licensing course to help participants obtain a builders license. “Through these meetings we learned that many contractors do not have a builders license, which really limits the type of work they can do,” noted Mr. Powell. “Obtaining that license opens up larger jobs and subcontracting work with larger developers.” The meetings also create referral opportunities for other resources such as small business loans, grants, or further training opportunities, including support from the Business Development Fund. Mayor Bobby J. Hopewell is a strong supporter of the group and attends each meeting. “We know there is a shortage of skilled trades-people in our country,” noted Mayor Hopewell. “Instead of looking outside of our community for this talent, we need to be supporting our own community members and helping them seize opportunities.”
New Café Diner coming to Washington square If you have purchased a coffee and muffin at Walnut & Park since it opened in March of 2017, then you have been
a part of the success of KPEP’s innovative job training and job creation start-up. That success is the reason that KPEP is expanding to a full diner café in 2019. It will be located on Portage Road in the Washington Square commercial district of the Edison Neighborhood. “We wanted to expand vocational training program beyond the coffee shop,” said Lindsey Marshall of KPEP, “to include skills and experience in hospitality, production kitchens, prep cooking, serving, and cashiering.” Graduates of the program receive a nationally recognized certification from the American Hotel & Lodging Educational Institute, as well as CPR, Serve Safe, and OSHA 10 training. The new café will be a modern take on an American diner, serving affordable breakfast and lunch cuisine. “Think a true diner,” said Ms. Marshall, “But catering to modern patrons with gluten free options, local produce, and keeping the Washington Square area and history in mind.” A forty-seat conference room expands the café’s appeal. “We are very excited to offer a much-needed meeting place in the Edison Neighborhood.” Since the venture builds on a long-standing relationship with the Edison Neighborhood Association, Marshall said, “It will also showcase local entrepreneurs’ baked goods just as we do at Walnut & Park.”
Washington Square diner will expand KPEP’s hospitality training program, helping people make a positive change in their lives and providing talent to local employers.
Building Smart Money Habits Mayor Bobby J. Hopewell joined officials of the Local Initiative Support Corporation (LISC), and Momentum to cut the ribbon on Kalamazoo’s first Financial Opportunity Center in late 2018. The center was opened in the Douglass Community Center in the Northside Neighborhood to help those with low- to moderate-incomes build smart money habits through career and financial coaching. LISC has a network of more than 80 such centers across the country, embedded in local community organizations that are trusted, known for their history of providing quality services, and conveniently located. The Centers provide employment and career counseling, one-on-one financial coaching, and low-cost financial products that help build credit, savings, and assets. They also connect clients with income supports such as food and utility assistance and affordable health insurance. Research shows that integrated or “bundled” services lead to concrete gains in net income and job retention: for example, clients who take advantage of combined services are 50 percent more likely to land a well-paying job than people receiving employment services alone. Longterm job retention — holding a job for a year or more — almost doubles when financial coaching reinforces the work of employment counseling.
Shared Prosperity Kala Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo (SPK) is the City of Kalamazoo’s initiative to share prosperity more broadly with everyone in the city, working towards a community where no one is left behind due to poverty or lack of opportunity. To achieve this, SPK focuses on promoting strong families; the healthy growth, development, and learning of children; and access to good jobs. SPK is driven by an organizing committee comprised of City Commission-appointed community members, and goal teams with experience addressing barriers to prosperity or opportunities.
Goal teams have worked with core neighborhood residents to develop program proposals, each rooted in the neighborhoods’ plans. These proposals were then approved by the full organizing committee and submitted to the City Commission, which approved them in May 2019. City Commission approval allowed these proposals to receive funding from the SPK High Impact Fund, which was allocated $2 million by the Foundation for Excellence.
STEAM Academy Over the past four years, Eastside Youth Strong (EYS) has implemented the Eastside Arts and Science Experiential Learning (EASEL) program for twenty elementaryage youth who live in the Eastside Neighborhood. EASEL is a sixweek summer learning program for youth based on the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and focuses on enhancing Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) skills. Youth are also exposed to STEAM careers through field trips and guest speakers. As elementary youth “age-out” of the EASEL program, they have asked EYS for a middle school STEAM program. This proposal will allow EYS, the Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), and the Kalamazoo Youth Development Network (KYD Network), to design a STEAM Academy in 2019 that will include an innovative
A Momentum and Warehouse Management and Inventory Control Graduate captured on the job inspecting quality of parts and fulfilling customer orders. Photo: KZOOM
math curriculum, hands-on science lessons, and field trips to relevant local employers. The Academy plans to partner with the Western Michigan University College of Aviation to support their aviation mechanics pipeline program. A six-week program will be implemented in 2020 for youth who live in the Eastside Neighborhood. In 2021, the program will expand to sevenweeks and also add programs in the Northside and Edison neighborhoods. The STEAM Academy also creates opportunities for K-12 educators and youth development professionals to learn innovative and culturally relevant approaches to teaching Mathematics and Science.
Patient Care Academy The Patient Care Academy will be a partnership between the Northside Association for Community Development (NACD), the Kalamazoo Promise, Kalamazoo Valley Community College (KVCC), Urban Alliance, and Michigan Works! Southwest to improve residents’ access to in-demand career training, and to provide healthcare employers a more qualified and diverse talent pool from which to hire. KVCC will provide programming for the Academy, which will be hosted at NACD. The partners involved provide accessible training opportunities to the residents of the City’s core neighborhoods that lead to industryrecognized credentials and living wage jobs.
lamazoo
Eastside Arts and Experiential Learning (EASEL) students disassembling computer parts to learn how they work.
People of Change Reentry Hub The Reentry Hub will serve as a centralized “One-Stop Center” for people returning to the Kalamazoo community from incarceration. It will provide counseling and positive social supports for people upon reentry. A part-time navigator, trained interns from the Western Michigan University School of Social Work, and volunteer mentors will provide weekly navigation, counseling, and mentoring services. The program will serve people returning from incarceration that have been referred from Offender Success, Kalamazoo County Jail, Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety, and other sources. The center will be based in the Edison neighborhood.
Momentum Urban Employment Initiative The Momentum Urban Employment Initiative connects unemployed and underemployed people with sustainable employment opportunities through pre-employment training, life skills training, and coaching and networking with its business partners. The six-week program emphasizes education, volunteer experience, mentoring, job placement, and personal evaluation. The program incorporates principles of cognitive behavioral therapy and addresses eight dimensions of wellness, each connected to a person’s capacity for realizing their potential. Every student completes 100 hours of in-class instruction as well as 100 hours of volunteer work experience. Momentum also addresses the root
causes of avoidable job loss by building capacity and resiliency within the students through life skills classes.
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program provides free tax preparation services to low income workers, seniors, and individuals with disabilities. An array of federal and state tax credits are available, but they often go unclaimed by those most in need. By claiming these credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit, additional money is available to assist with groceries, bills, childcare, or to save for an emergency. The Kalamazoo Regional Educational Service Agency (KRESA), Youth Opportunities Unlimited (YOU), and Michigan Works! Southwest will offer ongoing support including financial literacy, job coaching, and job placement assistance for city residents. By providing families a mix of services as well as free tax services, VITA seeks to improve economic security for city residents and keep tax dollars in our local economy.
Expungement Clinic The Kalamazoo County Bar Association in collaboration with new County Defender’s Office and the City Attorney’s office will help create an ongoing expungement clinic in Kalamazoo. This clinic is unique in Michigan, and unique nationally for cities of Kalamazoo’s population. Convictions that are eligible for expungement under the law are common make-or-break barriers to employment. The process requires time, effort, and legal guidance. In practice this leads to inequity in the process as lower-income individuals may not have the resources or may even know that a chance for expungement is their legal right. A pre-screening event where people can consult with an attorney for free to determine their eligibility for expunging convictions has already been filled. A wait list has been created for follow-up outreach. For more information, please contact Jennifer Antisdale at the Kalamazoo Bar Association at (269) 381-4693 or info@kalamazoobar.org.
How Does FFE Work? The unique public-private nature of the Foundation for Excellence demands strict, responsible governance and the utmost level of transparency. The bylaws and governance structure of the FFE were created with this in mind, ensuring that the FFE Board of Directors reflects the diverse perspectives in our community and that final decision making authority rests with the City Commission, and ultimately the people of Kalamazoo.
Board of Directors The FFE bylaws establish a 15-member Board of Directors. Ten members are stakeholder directors, each representing a community interest such as healthcare, education, or business. Five are City Directors, representing the City of Kalamazoo generally. These members include the Mayor, City Manager, two City Commissioners, and one At-Large city representative. Stakeholder and At-Large terms rotate every three years while City Directors serve for the duration of their employment or elected service. A significant initiative is undertaken to cultivate a Board that is largely representative of the community and that will add unique insights about every facet of Kalamazoo.
The FFE has established a Gift Acceptance Policy to serve the best interests of the community by providing guidelines for various types of gifts. The purpose of each gift must fall within the broad charitable purpose of the FFE, aligning with both the FFE mission and Imagine Kalamazoo 2025 Master Plan. The FFE follows the Model Standards of Practice for the Charitable Gift Planner adopted by the Partnership for Philanthropic Planning (formerly the National Committee on Planned Giving) and the American Council on Gift Annuities. The FFE is audited independently on an annual basis, making its 990 available for review to the public, and files an annual report with the State of Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The FFE budgeting process is a collaborative effort between the Board of Directors and the City Commission, which retains ultimate authority for approval of the City of Kalamazoo budget, including FFE funds.
Annual Budgeting Process
The FFE strives to maintain the highest ethical standards and maximum transparency in everything it does. All meetings are announced in advance and open to the public subject to Open Meetings Act. In 2018, the Board of Directors unanimously approved core governance policies, including those regarding conflicts of interest, diversity and equal opportunity, financial accountability, and whistleblower protections. An open document library including all policies is available online at www.kalamazoocity.org/ffe.
Meets to explore projects for FFE funding in the following year
APR
Holds annual meeting to appoint members, elect officers, approve annual report, and conduct general business City Commission
OCT
Meets to review and discuss budget proprosal
FFE Board
Approves the final budget proposal and recommends it to City Commission for approval
DEC
Governance & Budgeting
FFE Board
FFE Board
JAN
The FFE’s bylaws state that one-third of board positions expire each year, meaning there are opportunities annually for community members to participate. Board members are responsible for attending at least three meetings per year and contributing to the responsible and transparent operation of the foundation. There are no requirements on previous board membership or restrictions on who can apply, (though an overall percentage of city residents is required). Positions expire on June 30 each year and vacancies are announced along with application instructions in December.
MAR
Board Membership
Budget Proposal
City budget, including FFE allocation, draft presented to the City Commission
City Commission
Approves final budget, including FFE allocation
Foundation for Excellence team (L to R): Steve Brown, Chad Wendt, Laura Lam, Katie Reilly, Kevin Ford
FFE Team & Board Laura Lam, Deputy City Manager The rhythm of FFE was defined in 2019: we enhanced existing programs, implemented bold ideas, tried new ways to help people reach their potential, and watched the newly established FFE board dive enthusiastically into the work. We celebrated the start of two exciting housing developments in the Edison and Northside neighborhoods that will bring much needed affordable housing, a 24-hour daycare, and retail opportunities to our community. The Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo Coalition identified five initiatives to help advance the SPK goals, focusing on youth development, returnee supports, wealth building, and workforce development.
Kevin Ford, Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo Coordinator I’m most proud of recruiting residents from our target neighborhoods to be involved with our Organizing Committee.
Chad Wendt, Youth Development Coordinator This year, I am most proud of the community connections we have made to enhance youth programming. WMU’s Colleges of Engineering and Fine Arts have been instrumental in partnering with us, as have KVCC, Kalamazoo Nature Center and Public Media Network.
Steve Brown, FFE Coordinator
Katie Reilly, Neighborhood Activator
The highlights of 2019 for me were in continuing to build and strengthen FFE governance while launching exciting new programs such as the Youth Mobility Fund. I remain deeply grateful for the focused leadership of the board of directors in building an organization that will benefit the public good for many generations.
This year I have been most excited by how neighborhood plans have been put into action. Each neighborhood with a complete plan has made strides towards achieving the visions they set and I am proud of how we worked together, creating the momentum to get things moving.
Foundation for Excellence Board of Directors Bobby J. Hopewell, President
Sandra Calderon-Huezo
Alice Taylor
Dr. Angela Graham-Williams, Vice President
Alisa Carrel
Charlene Taylor
Adam McFarlin, Treasurer
Nathan Dannison
Jack C. Urban
Barbara Hamilton-Miller, Secretary
Rachel Lonberg
Von Washington, Jr.
David Anderson
James K. Ritsema
2019 Projects
In 2019, FFE continued investing in critical areas like youth development, affordable housing, parks, and infrastructure. New programs focusing on mobility, supporting neighborhood businesses, and shared prosperity were also introduced. Successful programs, such as homeowner foreclosure prevention, were also expanded. This map highlights some of these investments throughout the city.
All Things Possible New Jazz City
SuperRec
Wondrous Works Patient Care Academy
Farrell Par Splash Pad Ennovy’ Beauty B
M
Volunteer I Assistance
Wards Ho Improvem
Culture Connection SuperRec
Economic Development
SuperRec
Rockwell Park Shelter
rk d ’s Bar
STEAM Academy
Mamaleelu
Park Improvement Projects FFE continued investing in Kalamazoo’s parks in 2019, with a shelter to be added at Rockwell Park (to allow for expansion of SuperRec), and a splash pad to be added at Farrel Park.
Youth Development Programs
Income Tax e (various locations)
ome ment
FFE was able to support seven neighborhood businesses through the Business Development fund and other economic development programs. Businesses with storefronts or commerical locations that have received a BDF loan, facade grant, or other assistance are highlighted.
The successful All Things Possible program was continued and the free supervised recreation program SuperRec was expanded to a new site in the northeast part of the city.
Doormouse Theatre SuperRec Momentum Urban Emploment Initiative Reed Street Park
Shared Prosperity Kalamazoo The five projects funded by the SPK High Impact Fund focused on jobs, youth, and families in Kalamazoo’s core neighborhoods.
People of Change
Affordable Housing & Foreclosure Prevention FFE helps ensure families have housing by supporting building, renovating and preserving 137 affordable housing units in 2019, and by helping keep 100% of homeowners in homes through foreclosure prevention.
New or Improved Sidewalk Infrastructure work in 2019 focused on walkability within one quarter mile of schools, with more than $1 million invested to build or improve eight miles of sidewalks.
(269) 337-8047 FFE@kalamazoocity.org 241 West South Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 www.kalamazoocity.org
15,000+
11%
average property tax reduction
free bus rides per month for Kalamazoo youth
The Mission of the Kalamazoo Foundation for Excellence is to support the goals of the City of Kalamazoo, fund aspirational investments in the city, and empower Kalamazoo residents to achieve the lives they want for themselves and their families.
8 miles $19.4 137 7
of new or repaired sidewalks
million budgeted to aspirational projects
0
tax foreclosures for Kalamazoo homeowners
700+
$33.2 million saved by Kalamazoo taxpayers
youth in educational summer programs
units of affordable housing built, renovated or preserved
neighborhood businesses supported through Business Developmnet Fund
5
unique plans for Kalamazoo’s neighborhoods
