Partners in Philanthropy Partnering with you to love Kalamazoo
Spring 2022
Thank you for joining us in our mission of mobilizing people, resources and expertise to advance racial, social and economic justice. You've already shown your love for this community by creating an Advised Fund at KZCF. Through Partners in Philanthropy, we offer an opportunity to further demonstrate that love by supporting one or more of the organizations highlighted with a grant suggestion from the fund you established. Partners shared in this publication are among the recent funding requests we've received from local nonprofit organizations.
Black Wall Street Kalamazoo Black Wall Street Kalamazoo (BWSK) is a local 501(c)3 nonprofit that was founded in 2018 by Nicole Triplett. They focus on the systemic barriers that hinder Black entrepreneurs’ efforts to ideate and start and sustain local businesses.
Photo courtesy of Black Wall Street Kalamazoo
Their mission is to be a collaborative initiative to strategically increase the lifespan of the African American dollar within the African American community, through social, marketing, and educational experiences. BWSK works in collaboration with the local community as well as national organizations to support their mission as well as share, collect and leverage resources for the benefit and empowerment of the African American Community.
Their vision is to increase the awareness and visibility of Black business within the Kalamazoo community. BWSK has made a tremendous impact on the Kalamazoo community since its inception, with programming and supports that include a Black Business Expo, Black Business Directory, B.E.T.A. (Black Entrepreneurship Training Program), networking events, Black Business Bootcamp, free business coaching and technical support, business advocacy, a pitch competition and micro-grants. In addition, BWSK provides timely dissemination of information and resources to its network through its newsletter and social media platforms. Its Facebook group has created a space for Black business owners and aspiring entrepreneurs to showcase their business to over 10,000 active members. It is defined as the go-to source to identify Black business in Kalamazoo.
To support this organization, select Black Wall Street Kalamazoo on the grant suggestion form.
More Funding Opportunities These opportunities highlight some recent funding requests from local nonprofit organizations. To support one or more of these projects through the Advised Fund you established at KZCF, please make a grant suggestion using Kalamazoo Connect — go to kalfound.org and click on the green Kalamazoo Connect link at the top of our website — or complete the grant suggestion form on page 4 and return it to KZCF by email, USPS or fax. You also may email members of our Donor Relations team, who are available to provide you with more information about these and other community needs. See page 4 for contact information.
Family & Children Services As families in our community navigate extraordinary challenges— barriers relating to poverty, mental illness, suicide, substance abuse, domestic violence, homelessness, and generational abuse and neglect—Family & Children Services has been answering their call since 1903. To support this organization, select Family and Children Services on the grant suggestion form.
Helping Other People Exceed Through Navigation Helping Other People Exceed through Navigation (HOPEtN) is a grassroots navigation agency founded in June of 2015. HOPEtN is dedicated to providing specialized hands-on, one-on-one wraparound navigation services and supports to individuals who have been detoured in life due to issues surrounding Substance Use Disorder, criminal justice systems, discrimination and a lack of access to safe or permanent housing due to the aforementioned circumstances. To support this organization, select HOPE Through Navigation on the grant suggestion form.
Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative (KRRC) creates partnerships to enhance the local resettlement experience of refugees/asylees by streamlining the effectiveness of community organizations and individuals around a mutually agreed-upon
Due to the recent surge in COVID-19 cases, we also ask you to consider a grant suggestion to the Community Urgent Relief Fund to address immediate and urgent needs of the community.
agenda of protection, care and welcome; advocating for access to resources, protection, and rights for newcomers; and building excellence and durability in Kalamazoo resettlement solutions and services through alliances with member agencies. To support this organization, select Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative on the grant suggestion form.
Young Kings and Queens
Young Kings and Queens (YKQ) is an organization dedicated to the empowerment and inspiration of minority youth to live beyond the scopes of societal norms. The organization's vision is to remain a sustainable youth development organization that provides a legacy of community-based activities, programming and support which allows youth to develop into their best selves. YKQ achieves their mission by participating in events that expose the youth to new cultural experiences and create broader understandings. In doing so, YKQ promotes positive behavior, educational development and community involvement.
As an out-of-school time (OST) program, YKQ offers tutoring virtually through their app as well as in-person. They participate in community service events and offer educational life skills clinics during the school year to maintain engagement. During the summer, YKQ offers the R.O.Y.A.L. (Raising Our Youths Awareness of Life) 10-week program which teaches participants about finances, business ownership and basic life skills such as changing tires and household maintenance. R.O.Y.A.L. helps participants with identity development and planning for their future.
Other program events include an annual Masquerade Ball fundraiser in March, a Back-To-School Jam in August (where the community can access food and book bags for teens). In December, YKQ hosts a Blessings of Hope for the Holidays giveaway, where household goods are distributed. The organization looks to change the future for Young Kings and Queens within our community with the development of a mixed-use property within the Northside Business District of Kalamazoo. This facility will house independent living quarters for youth who graduate from phase 1 of their BRIDGES housing and financial literacy program. This program requires that participants actively apply learned financial literacy skills to save 3 months of living expenses. They are seeking donors who will help them meet their goal of getting this project up and running, so that youth and community will have access to this much needed space. The YKQ organization wants you to know that support at all levels is valued.
To support this organization, select Young Kings and Queens on the grant suggestion form.
Partners in Philanthropy | Spring 2022
Grant Suggestion Form To suggest a grant in support of one or more of the projects listed in this publication, please complete this form and return it to the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. You also may suggest grants online using Kalamazoo Connect at https://connect.kalfound.org or by emailing a member of our Donor Relations team. Due to the surge in COVID-19 cases, we also ask you to consider a grant suggestion to the Community Urgent Relief Fund to address immediate and urgent needs of the community. I/We would like to recommend one or more grants from the fund named below in the amount(s) indicated. I/We acknowledge that any grant suggestion made does not represent the payment of a personal pledge or other financial obligation, nor is any personal benefit from this charitable distribution expected.
Name Fund Name Telephone
Signature
Date
Black Wall Street Kalamazoo
HOPE Through Navigation
Contact: Nicole Triplett, Founder Address: 225 W. Walnut Street Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Email: blackwallstreetkzoo@gmail.com
Contact: Gwendolyn Hooker, Executive Director Address: 806 S. Westnedge Avenue Kalamazoo, MI 49008 Email: officeofhope@gmail.com
Young Kings and Queens
Kalamazoo Refugee Resource Collaborative
Contact: Takisha Johnson, Founder/Executive Director Address: 1021 N Rose St Kalamazoo, MI 49007 Email: youngkingsandqueens7@gmail.com
Family & Children Services
Contact: Neena Marion, President Address: 6346 Brogan HL Kalamazoo, MI 49009 Email: kalamazoorefugeecouncil@gmail.com
Community Urgent Relief Fund (CURF)
Contact: Courtenay VanderMolen, Director of Resource Development Address: 1608 Lake Street Kalamazoo, MI 49001 Email: courtenay.vandermolen@fcsource.org
Our Donor Relations Team Beth Gregory-Wallis | 269.585.7245 | bgregory-wallis@kalfound.org Cindy Trout | 269.585.7248 | ctrout@kalfound.org Joanna Donnelly Dales | 269.585.7260 | jdales@kalfound.org Julie Loncharte | 269.585.7270| jloncharte@kalfound.org Sharayl Moore | 269.585.7255 | smoore@kalfound.org 402 E. Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49007-3888 | t 269.381.4416 | f 269.381.3146 | info@kalfound.org