The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) is excited to share that we are making some changes to enhance the donor experience and magnify our impact in the community.
We have reorganized and renamed Donor Relations and will be adding a few positions. Although some of our team members are moving into new roles, you will still have the dedicated support you need to accomplish your charitable giving goals during and after the reorganization.
Moving forward, Donor Relations will be known as Philanthropic Services & Development. This new name better reflects the breadth of what we do. I will continue to lead this department as the Chief Philanthropy Officer.
The Philanthropic Services team will house our engagement, communication and customer service program for fund representatives and planned-giving donors.
Beth Gregory-Wallis, who joined KZCF in 2019, will lead this team as the Senior Philanthropic Advisor. Her responsiveness, understanding and commitment to service make her perfectly suited for her new role.
Our Development team will focus on educating Kalamazoo County residents about how they can support their community through KZCF and will help us prepare for our centennial celebration in 2025.
Cindy Trout, who also joined KZCF in 2019, will lead this team as the Director of Development. Cindy has deep roots in Kalamazoo, with a history of leading winning teams.
Bekah Kreckman joined KZCF in April of 2023 and quickly identified ways to improve the quality and impact of KZCF’s work.
As our Philanthropic Strategy Advisor, she will work closely with Beth, Cindy and our IT and Finance teams to increase our efficiency and effectiveness to enhance the donor experience.
We will continue to rely heavily on the expertise and strengths of our other team members, including:
Stacey Charron-Milnikel, Philanthropic Services Manager, will assist nonprofit agencies that have Designated Funds at KZCF.
Terry Cropper, Development Advisor, will motivate residents across the county to support the community they love.
Jasmine Oldham, Development Manager, will encourage donors to continue to make their valuable annual contributions.
Natalie Proudfoot, Database Coordinator, will ensure the accuracy and confidentiality of our records.
KZCF will also be hiring a few new staff members for the Philanthropic Services & Development team in the very near future. If you know of anyone who is committed to excellent customer service, loves this community and wants to serve it from KZCF, they can apply, here.
Our team looks forward to working with you in the new year and for many years to come. Thank you for your support and commitment to our beloved community, and for your patience as we improve our department to serve you better.
