Diversity and Inclusiveness
at the Kalamazoo Community Foundation


The Kalamazoo Community Foundation believes the greater Kalamazoo area draws its spirit, vitality and character from the increasingly diverse mix of people who live and work in our community. The leadership of the Community Foundation recognizes that the future strength of our community rests firmly on our commitment to value, respect and embrace the richness of our diverse citizenry.

Since its beginning in 1925, the Community Foundation has held that the dignity of each person is paramount, and that dignity is something to be protected. This position as been the guiding principle in all work. Therefore, in May 2000, the Community Foundation announced and implemented its Diversity Policy and since then has taken a leadership position in cultivating opportunities that open positive dialogue and understanding among all people. The Community Foundation wants to do its part to ensure that no person is excluded from services, employment or volunteer participation because of ethnicity, race, age, gender identity, sexual orientation, economic circumstance, physical and/or mental abilities/characteristics, philosophy/religion, or any other discriminatory reason.

The Community Foundation requests that all nonprofit organizations awarded grants acknowledge their inclusiveness policies and/or practices by signing an Inclusiveness Statement. Nonprofit organizations that serve a specifically defined population or charitable designation of people are not considered non-inclusive or discriminatory. The Inclusiveness Statement applies to how an organization services its specific target population as well as how it handles hiring and volunteer participation.