Partners in Progress | Issue 2 | 2016

Page 1

august

partners in progress kalamazoo community foundation

2016

partnering with you to create a community where every person can reach full potential

Participants in Eastside Youth Strong’s Summer 2015 Eastside Arts and Science Experiential Learning (EASEL) program.

engaging with donors to maximize your impact Our community — Kalamazoo County

for co-investment and broaden the base

Eastside Youth Strong (formerly

— is a special place. We are working to

of your support. Even if they choose not

Kalamazoo Center for Youth and

making it a place where every person can

to support one of the opportunities we

Community), Kalamazoo Nature

reach full potential and we consider you

share, they have expressed that they

Center, Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for

a partner in that. We also consider donors

value simply learning more about the

Humanity, Peace House, Southwest

to be partners and actively engage with

work of local nonprofits.

Michigan Land Conservancy and

them to maximize your organization’s impact, offering them opportunities to engage with you and co-invest in your efforts to make this community even better than it already is. One of the ways we do this is by presenting donors with opportunities

We also provide opportunities to meet you in person and hear about your work first-hand.

St. Mary’s Catholic Church — are making an impact in Kalamazoo’s Eastside neighborhood. Each has a different focus and personality, but are linked by their

Recently almost 50 donors took

work in the Eastside neighborhood and

advantage of an opportunity we offered

collaborations that enhance and

to learn how seven organizations — Eastside Neighborhood Association,

Continued on Page 4 See Eastside >>


GRANT MAKING

Q&A Q A Q A

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation was created in 1925. While we‘ve been fortunate to be part of some significant work over the past 91 years, the unfortunate reality is that conditions in this community have not changed for many who live here. Our community’s poverty level is one of the highest in the country. Only 48 percent of our kids are ready for kindergarten and 24 percent of Kalamazoo County students don’t graduate from high school. When we look even closer and take into account race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender identity, sexual orientation, citizenship status and other demographics, we see great inequity. To make the change our community needs, we need new solutions to old problems. We have to adapt our approach and focus our investments even more.

what are the community foundation’s community investment priorities?

broad community issues. However, when it comes to

In December 2015 our board approved two new

a fraction of those available, our supporters have tasked

community investment priorities: equity and

us to address the greater Kalamazoo area’s most

education. Our vision is a community where every

pressing needs. We want our community to be one

person can reach full potential. We believe equity with

in which all children enter school ready to learn, are

an emphasis on education is a pathway to making this

supported throughout their academic career and

vision a reality.

are prepared for life after high school. We want our

granting our unrestricted resources, which represent just

community to be one in which all adults have the skills

what is the community foundation investing in?

they need to live their best life and be able to support themselves and those who may depend on them. We want our community to be one in which attributes

As a community foundation, we take a broad

like race, ethnicity, socioeconomic class, gender identity

approach to community impact, investing in the

or sexual orientation are not predictors of a person’s

community in a number of ways using a variety of

opportunities. This is why investments will be in work

resources: scholarships, program- and business-

that increases equity in our community and improves

related investments, donor-directed grants and

educational outcomes.

traditional grants. Most of those resources support

equity

Removing barriers that keep people from reaching their full potential.


Q A

where can i find more information about the new priorities? Information about our priorities is available at www.kalfound.org/priorities. We’re also working on a printed guide that will contain detailed information about our priorities, approach and grantmaking process. This will be available in the fall. Finally, you will be able to learn and ask questions about them at a session that will be held later this year.

Q A

For each request, after we determine it aligns with our priorities and before we recommend a level of funding, we consider if the organization: • Has effective leadership to carry out the work as outlined; • Demonstrates cultural competency in its programs, policies and procedures, thereby ensuring access and quality service for the full

how are funding requests evaluated? The first time your request is reviewed, we do it as a team. This helps us leverage the collective knowledge and experience of each team member and reduce bias in the decision-making process. After the team review, we assign your request to a member of our team who serves as your one point of contact throughout the grant cycle. If we need more information than what is provided in your Letter of Inquiry, we may set up a meeting, have conversations with people from your organization or arrange a site visit.

Q A

Q A

what does the community foundation look for in a project?

diversity of the community; • Uses data and best practices to guide strategies; • Demonstrates an ability to learn and adapt; • Leverages the strengths and resources of partnerships and works in collaboration towards shared outcomes; • Involves people it serves in shaping programming or in formal leadership roles; • Carries out ongoing evaluation; • Has measurable outcomes; • Has a sustainable fund development strategy; and • Understands and seeks to improve the sector they are in through technical support, collaboration or advocacy.

who decides if a request will be funded or not? Grants requests are first reviewed by our internal Community Investment team, then by a volunteer

We consider all of these factors, but our team also is committed to providing guidance and support to organizations that are still building their capacity in these areas.

Community Investment Committee that includes

While we support programs and projects that address

several members of our board of trustees and diverse

short-term community needs, we are increasing our

community leaders who volunteer their time and

support of efforts that will make long-term impact.

expertise. Final approval is given by our full board

Our highest investments will be in those that address

of trustees.

equity and education, and have potential to change the long-term life trajectory of individuals. Identifying and addressing the causes of our community’s needs has the greatest potential to transform our community into one where every person can reach full potential.

education

Helping Kalamazoo area students achieve more.


Eastside Continued from Page 1 multiply the impact of their efforts to

Donors joined students and their

We also hope the activity will inspire

help people reach their full potential.

teacher, a master science educator,

donors to be part of our work and

at Southwest Michigan Land

support projects like this with gifts to

Conservancy’s Bow in the Clouds

our Love Where You Live funds, which

nature preserve for a hands-on

address our community’s greatest

learning experience designed to

needs, or with co-investments from

encourage and inspire the students’

funds they’ve established here at the

interest in science.

Community Foundation.

In addition to this opportunity, we recently highlighted Eastside Youth Strong’s Eastside Arts and Science Experiential Learning (EASEL) program for elementary school-age kids.

plan ahead Upcoming Letter of Inquiry and Application Due Dates Letters of Inquiry may be submitted at any time. Because they may require greater due diligence and additional levels of approval, funding requests for more than $10,000 have these specific due dates.

fall 2016

spring 2017

fall 2017

Letter of Inquiry Due Date September 1 by 5 p.m.

Letter of Inquiry Due Date February 1 by 5 p.m.

Letter of Inquiry Due Date August 1 by 5 p.m.

Full Application Due Date October 3 by 5 p.m.

Full Application Due Date March 30 by 5 p.m.

Full Application Due Date September 28 by 5 p.m.

Funding decisions will be made the week of December 12.

Funding decisions will be made the week of June 12.

Funding decisions will be made the week of December 11.

402 East Michigan Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3888 269.381.4416 www@kalfound.org


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