Southwest Michigan businesses, residents, foundations and others put their money behind a new fundraising partnership meant to bring additional services to people needing help.
The partnership between the
Kalamazoo Community Foundation and the
Greater Kalamazoo United Way led to the creation of the Lifeline Initiative, which is expected to raise about $4 million over the next three years.
The money will be invested in local programs that address joblessness, emergency food assistance, emergency shelter and transitional housing and health care access.
Leaders of the two organizations conceived the initiative in response to the economic downturn, and got a heartening response as $2.7 million was raised in the last eight months.
"Kalamazoo's charitable spirit is alive and well. ... People and organizations that care deeply about our community have stepped forward to support this effort...," Juan Olivarez, president and CEO of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation, says.
His comments came during a Feb. 9 announcement of the partnership and its initial fundraising success.
The Lifeline Initiative is described as a "unique and targeted collaborative fundraising effort" that took care not to adversely affect other charities' fundraising drives.
"Our board leadership wholeheartedly endorsed the partnership between the Community Foundation and the United Way. We are proud to partner with the Community Foundation, and we are pleased to be a part of this unique and powerful response to help address the increased needs of our community," says Mike Larson, president and CEO, Greater Kalamazoo United Way.
"These funds will have an immediate impact and will play a major role in helping to address the increased basic human needs we have witnessed in our area. While we applaud and thank both boards for their vision and leadership, the true credit for this effort goes to the incredibly generous donors who saw the need, and responded with tremendous compassion and generosity."
The effort won't end here, they say.
Community Foundation and United Way officials expect additional donations from donors who have expressed an interest in long-term support.
Writer: Kim North Shine
Source: Kalamazoo Community Foundation, Greater Kalamazoo United Way
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