Unrestricted funds address greatest needs At Edwards, “People Matter.” That’s one of their core values, but when they say people, it’s not just their 175 associates. It’s also the community they’ve called home for more than 150 years. The company has been supporting the community in many ways, including making annual contributions to KZCF’s Love Where You Live Fund for more than two decades. Because the company’s gifts over the years have far exceeded the
Edwards staff volunteering at the Big Brothers Big Sisters event Bowl for Kids Sake.
business was sold in the early 1970s those same beliefs were continued by the new owners who have supported multiple charitable missions, including the Community Foundation.”
$5,000 necessary to establish an unrestricted fund, KZCF
Jennifer Feinman, director of Human Resources, says
invited the company to name a fund. The new
“Edwards and our associates are making a lasting impact
Edwards | Family Enrichment Fund will forever support the
for future generations through in-kind and monetary
greatest needs throughout Kalamazoo County and serve as
donations, along with volunteer opportunities that
a reminder of the philanthropic legacy of Edwards.
emphasize children, education and families.”
A family legacy
Community outreach
Edwards, headquartered on 9th Street in Oshtemo
Community outreach initiatives include partnerships with
Township, services uniform apparel programs for corporate,
Big Brothers Big Sisters, United Way of the Battle Creek
career and casual markets specializing in hospitality,
and Kalamazoo Region, First Day Shoe Fund, Communities
restaurant, casino, health care, hotel/resort properties,
In Schools, Kalamazoo Loaves and Fishes and Kalamazoo
transit and security.
Gospel Mission. Working with the YWCA last year, Edwards
When you visit their offices you’re greeted by an oil painting of their founder, Samuel Rosenbaum. He created the Kalamazoo Pant Company in 1867 in downtown Kalamazoo
provided 50 outfits for people re-starting their careers. And Feinman adds that associates may participate in volunteer activities during their work shifts.
on East Michigan Avenue; the building — now the site
Schultz says their corporate gift to KZCF made sense
of the Kalamazoo Entertainment District — still bears the
because “the Community Foundation is in a better position
Rosenbaum name. It’s on the corner of South Edwards
to decide the best use of these funds.”
Street, the namesake of the garment manufacturer and distributor. With a market covering all of North America and the Caribbean, the company outgrew that location and moved to it’s current location in 1988.
In addition to “People Matter,” another core value at Edwards is “Results Tell the Story.” That applies to the fund they’ve established at KZCF, which is already impacting the community. Combined with other unrestricted gifts held
Gary Schultz, president and CEO, has been with Edwards
at KZCF, the Edwards | Family Enrichment Fund becomes
for 17 years and is proud of the shared history the company
another part of the community heritage begun by founder
has with the community. “Our founding family, through
Samuel Rosenbaum.
multiple generations, appreciated how the vitality of the community is important for business success. When the
6 KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
SUMMER 2019
Contact a Donor Relations Officer at 269.381.4416 to learn more about KZCF’s unrestricted funds.
