Mary Little Tyler

Longtime Kalamazoo philanthropist and friend of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation Mary Little Tyler is a recipient of the 2016 Community Philanthropy Award from the Council of Michigan Foundations and Michigan Nonprofit Association.

Created in 2005, the award recognizes individuals or families for their leadership, impact, creativity and collaboration in strengthening community philanthropy through community foundations.

Governor Rick Snyder presented the award to Tyler at the Governor’s Service Awards in Saginaw in August, hosted by the Michigan Community Service Commission.

"I love Kalamazoo," says Tyler. "I think it’s one of the greatest places there is, and I want it to stay that way. If there’s any way I can help do that, that’s my motivation."

According to President/CEO Carrie Pickett-Erway, "Mary has shared her time, talent and treasure with our community for more than 60 years. It would be difficult to find anyone in our community who has not benefited from Mary’s work."

Robert Collier, president and CEO, Council of Michigan Foundations says, "Mary is a true community builder. We are pleased to recognize her many contributions to building strong nonprofits in Kalamazoo and to growing community philanthropy through the Kalamazoo Community Foundation."

This isn’t the first honor for Tyler. She received Kalamazoo Rotary’s Red Rose Award in 2014, Big Brothers Big Sisters’ Most Valuable Person Award in 2013 and YWCA Kalamazoo’s Lifetime Woman of Achievement Award in 2004.