Types of Funds

There are several types of charitable funds available to support your giving. Choose the one that matches your personal approach to giving and your charitable intent. Our staff is eager to discuss these options with you and to help you select one that matches your giving needs.

Unrestricted Funds
Your gift will make an impact on our community that transcends the barriers of time and change. The Kalamazoo Community Foundation depends on its unrestricted assets, not only to address the changing needs, but also to facilitate innovative responses to community problems, and to enhance the quality of life for all residents. By establishing an Unrestricted Fund, your legacy will provide support that is flexible and available to meet the challenges of tomorrow that will be faced by generations that follow.

Field-of-Interest Funds
You can focus your giving on the issues and causes you care about most—such as youth, environment, education, healthcare, or the arts. With this type of fund, your gift remains flexible to meet community needs in your interest area—even as they change over time.

Advised Funds
You can have ongoing involvement in the use of your gift. You may work with our professional community investment staff, identifying ways to use dollars from the Advised Fund you establish to address the issues and needs you care about most. Your suggestions are submitted to our board for approval; we then distribute grant dollars.

Designated Funds
You can direct your gift to a specific nonprofit agency. Help provide ongoing funding for a senior center, museum, or virtually any charitable organization. Nonprofit agencies can use a Designated Fund through the community foundation to build their endowment and enhance their ability to accept large and complex gifts.

Scholarship Funds
You can invest your gift in our community’s future and show students you care, all with the guidance and personal services of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation. You determine the criteria students must meet to receive the scholarship you establish.With your assistance, students achieve their academic and career-oriented goals—from undergraduate to postgraduate work. 

The Community Foundation's Donor Relations staff is ready to help you select the fund type that works best for your unique giving situation. Email us today or call (269) 381-4416. We look forward to hearing from you.