Creative options for more meaningful giving In 1998, Phyllis Westerman and her husband Richard
After several conversations with her KZCF Donor
(Dick) established a Donor Advised Fund (DAF) at
Relations Officer and her son, Perry, Phyllis decided to
the Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF). For
establish two new funds through grants made from
individuals, families or businesses interested in making a
the original Donor Advised Fund. The Westerman
gift and remaining actively involved in suggesting how
Family Housing Fund mirrors our Love Where You
it is used, Donor Advised Funds are the perfect option.
Live Housing Fund and focuses on housing needs
KZCF has more than 200 DAFs and Donor Relations staff
in Kalamazoo County. KZCF’s Love Where You Live
work with donor advisors in a variety of ways based on
family of funds address current community needs and
the advisor’s interest in engagement.
invests in the work of local nonprofit organizations that are collaborating with others to make long-term,
“Charitable giving is sometimes complex, but always personal. It’s our job to navigate those complexities with our donors to find options that align with their values and support the community’s greatest needs.”
community-transforming change. The Westerman Family Transportation Fund, a Field-ofInterest Fund, was the second fund created from their original DAF. Field-of-Interest Funds enable donors to focus their giving on the community needs they care about most. “Charitable giving is sometimes complex, but always
Julie Loncharte, Donor Relations officer Kalamazoo Community Foundation
personal,” said Julie Loncharte, Donor Relations officer at KZCF. She worked directly with Phyllis to establish the Field-of-Interest and Love Where You Live Funds.
For 20 years, the Westerman Family Fund supported
“It’s our job to navigate those complexities with our
numerous nonprofit organizations with a typical grant
donors to find options that align with their values and
between $100 and $250. When Dick passed in 2018 at
support the community’s greatest needs.”
age 92, Phyllis began exploring options that would make her existing fund more impactful in the community. “I had a strong desire to support the homeless and
“The Westerman story really brings an exciting part of our work to life,” said Joanna Donnelly Dales, vice-president of Donor Relations at KZCF. “There
housing issues that affect so many people in Kalamazoo
isn’t just one way to give or make an impact in our
County,” said Westerman. “I also believed in removing
community. Phyllis and Perry really tapped into some
barriers to transportation that prevent people from
creative options to address issues they truly care about
obtaining and keeping a steady job.”
through unrestricted giving.”
She also wanted to make Qualified Charitable
Looking for ways to align your giving with your goals
Distributions (QCD) from her Individual Retirement
and values? Contact a Donor Relations Officer at
Account (IRA). Since this option is not available for
269.381.4416 to start a conversation today or visit
DAFs due to government restrictions, her Donor
kalfound.org/HowToGive.
Relations Officer looked for funds that could accept QCDs, such as the Love Where You Live Funds and Field-of-Interest Funds.
SPRING 2020
KALFOUND.ORG
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