Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo – Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative

The Kalamazoo Artistic Development Initiative (KADI) grant has had a transformative impact on individual artists within the community, serving as a vital source of support and empowerment. It enables artists to focus more fully on their creative practices without the constant pressure of securing income through unrelated jobs. This freedom fosters deeper artistic exploration, experimentation and production, elevating the quality and originality of local art.

Over the past three years, the need for this program has doubled due to dwindling access to other sources of grant income and support. As traditional funding streams have decreased or disappeared, the KADI grant has become increasingly crucial for sustaining artistic careers. It is now one of the only grants available specifically to individual artists in the county, making its presence even more essential.

In the most recent cycle, the program supported 45 individual artists and their projects or professional development opportunities. This allowed recipients to purchase materials, upgrade equipment, rent studio space or invest in training. Such support enhanced their creative work and expanded their reach within the community.

The KADI grant also strengthens the local cultural landscape. By uplifting diverse artistic voices – especially those from underrepresented backgrounds – it enriches the community’s collective narrative. Supported artists often give back through workshops, public art and mentorship, further amplifying the program’s impact.

The ripple effect is clear: when artists thrive, communities grow stronger, more connected and more inspired. The KADI grant remains a crucial investment in the creative future of the region.

To learn more, visit https://kalamazooarts.org/grants/kadi

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

KRESA Education for the Arts

In 2024/25, Kalamazoo RESA–Education for the Arts (EFA) celebrates 30 years of creating and sustaining innovative arts education programming and partnerships in Kalamazoo County with nine public K-12 school districts, special ed programs and alternative ed schools, higher education and community arts organizations. In October 2024, the Arts Schools Network awarded EFA the 2024 Arts Innovation Award.

EFA’s innovative structure of community and educational partnerships, fueled by a unique fiscal model of public, philanthropic and endowment funding, enables flexibility and a mind-set of experimentation.

EFA’s arts programming is equitably accessible for all 25,000 K-8, special ed program and alternative students in Kalamazoo County. Additionally, approximately 700 Kalamazoo County high school students annually attend EFA classes in every artform.

Nationally, KRESA-EFA staff have served in board and committee leadership roles with the Lincoln Center Institute of Aesthetic Education, the Association of Aesthetic Ed Institutes and Americans for the Arts – State Arts Education Public Policy Program. Michigan leadership has included the Council of Michigan Foundations, Creative Many Michigan and Michigan Youth Arts Association. Locally, staff have helped lead the Kalamazoo Cultural Center and Arts Council of Greater Kalamazoo.

KRESA-EFA has received a statewide arts organization Guvvy Award from ArtServe Michigan and three EFA instructors have won Michigan Arts Teacher of the Year awards.

For more information, visit www.kresa.org/page/265

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Stulberg International String Competition

The mission of the Stulberg International String Competition is to promote excellence in string instrument performance by gifted artists under the age of twenty. The Stulberg’s vision is to deepen community engagement while offering a premier string competition.

The Stulberg International String Competition was founded in 1975 in memory of Julius Stulberg, longtime violin teacher and conductor of the Western Michigan University and Kalamazoo Junior Symphony orchestras. The Stulberg provides performance and educational opportunities for young string instrument (violin, viola, cello, double bass) musicians to develop essential skills and prepare for their professional performance careers.

The Stulberg uses a blind screening process every year to select twelve string instrument semifinalists from applicants from around the world. Each semifinalist travels to Kalamazoo in May to compete for three medal prizes before a jury of distinguished judges. All Stulberg competition events are open to the Kalamazoo public.

The 2024/25 Stulberg is the fiftieth anniversary of the competition, and the Stulberg is celebrating its first fifty years with special performances, print and media events, a new commission of a solo string work and a gala.

Over 2,500 young string musicians have participated in the first half-century of the Stulberg International String Competition. The list of past medalists is a veritable international Who’s-Who of string musical artists and teachers. Notable Stulberg alumni include Joshua Bell, Anthony Ross, Rachel Barton Pine, Wendy Warner, Nicholas Schwartz, Lucia Lin, Catherine Basrak.

To learn more, visit www.stulberg.org

Arts, Culture & Humanities  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Community Homeworks

In 2024, Community Homeworks proudly celebrated 15 years of helping families remain in their homes through critical repairs, homeowner education and tool lending.

The critical home repair program provides essential support to income-qualified homeowners, addressing urgent health and safety repairs to prevent displacement and preserve homeownership as a path to generational wealth. Demand continues to grow, particularly in Kalamazoo’s core neighborhoods, where aging homes require vital investment. Community Homeworks also expanded its service area in recent years to cover all of Kalamazoo County.

Recognizing evolving needs, the organization enhanced support for expectant mothers and families with young children, historic district homeowners and those facing code violations. Additionally, it assisted Portage and Pavilion Township residents affected by the May 7 tornado.

Beyond repairs, hands-on education workshops equip homeowners with skills to maintain their homes. Offering 40 to 50 sessions annually – both in-person and online – the program increases accessibility through outreach and satellite locations.

Looking ahead, the launch of the new Tool Library program will further empower homeowners with access to essential tools and supplies, fostering self-sufficiency in home maintenance.

Together, these three core programs – critical home repairs, education and tool lending – create a holistic support system that strengthens families, preserves homes and sustains vibrant neighborhoods.

For more information, visit https://communityhomeworks.org

Human Services  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Family & Children Services

Since 1903, Family & Children Services has been a source of hope for those who need it most in our community. Our mission is simple but powerful: to strengthen the safety and well-being of children, individuals and families. Every day, we bring this mission to life by providing essential child welfare and behavioral health services to individuals facing extraordinary challenges.

The families and children we serve have endured complex trauma – often shaped by poverty, homelessness, mental illness, substance use, violence and abuse. In these moments of hardship, we stand beside them, offering compassionate, trauma-informed and strength-based care. We believe in their resilience and are committed to helping them rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.

At the heart of our work is our dedicated team of human service workers and clinicians. Each year, they provide critical support to nearly 4,500 individuals – 2,400 of whom are children, most living below the federal poverty line. Their work is deeply meaningful, and requires exceptional skill, dedication and heart. Thanks to a generous grant from the Irving S. Gilmore Foundation, we’ve launched an innovative workforce development initiative. This program is more than just training – it’s about cultivating the next generation of human service professionals and equipping them with the skills, experience and support they need to thrive in this vital field.

Together, we are shaping a future where every child, individual and family has the opportunity to heal and flourish.

To learn more about Family & Children Services, please visit fcsource.org.

Human Services  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Girls on the Run Greater Kalamazoo

Girls on the Run helps girls recognize their potential and rise above limiting gender expectations. Our programs are about much more than running – they blend physical activity with life skill development to help girls discover and build their self-confidence.

This year, Girls on the Run Greater Kalamazoo has made significant strides in expanding access to opportunities for girls, fostering confidence and breaking down financial barriers. Through targeted outreach and strategic support, we have increased girls’ registration by 6 percent, ensuring more young participants can engage in meaningful programming that enhances their skills, leadership and future potential.

Recognizing that financial constraints often limit access, we used a sliding scale scholarship model that provided financial assistance to 51 percent of participants. This commitment to equity ensured that every girl, regardless of economic background, had the opportunity to benefit from our program’s transformative experiences.

Beyond the numbers, our real impact is seen in the personal stories of the girls we serve. From first-time participants discovering their voices to returning members stepping into leadership roles, the program is cultivating a generation of confident, empowered young women.

Parents and educators alike have praised the program for its inclusive approach and tangible outcomes, noting improvements in academic engagement, social skills and long-term aspirations among participants. With the support of donors and partners, we continue to build a future where every girl has access to the tools and encouragement she needs to thrive.

Thank you for championing this mission alongside us. Together, we are shaping brighter futures.

To learn more, visit https://www.girlsontherunkazoo.org.

Human Services  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Kalamazoo Valley Community College

For almost 60 years, Kalamazoo Valley Community College has been a cornerstone of local workforce development, creating innovative and equitable opportunities that empower all to learn, grow and thrive. Now, the college’s 30-year-old Advanced Technology Center at the Texas Township campus is set for a major renovation, empowering Kalamazoo Valley to meet the evolving demands of technology and the growing need for skilled professionals.

Kalamazoo Valley plans to renovate its 68,000-square-foot technology center to create flexible, state-of-the-art, industry-relevant classrooms with spaces for community collaboration. In this new space, we will train the next generation of electricians, machine tool engineers and manufacturing technologists, computer aided-designers, builders, HVAC technicians, energy systems specialists and welders. In addition, a new 20,000-square-foot automotive lab will support new programs in hybrid and electric vehicle technology, renewable energy storage systems and autonomous vehicle features.

Our region’s ability to attract and grow new businesses depends on a reliable pipeline of skilled workers. Every skilled trade is in urgent need of workers. The improvements Kalamazoo Valley is making today will help expand the college’s role in forging future generations of a well-prepared, skilled workforce. In these innovative classrooms and labs, emerging talent can retrain or increase their skills locally without leaving the area.

Kalamazoo Valley’s inclusive mission invites people from all walks of life to learn together in our classrooms. This renovation will open up even more room for anyone who wants to enter the exciting, good paying careers in the evolving technical trades.

For more information, visit www.kvcc.edu

Education  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

City of Kalamazoo – Mountain Home Cemetary Revitalization Project

As former Historic Preservation Coordinator Sharon Ferraro has said, “One of the best and most accessible places to learn the history of a community is to walk around the earliest cemetery.”

Mountain Home Cemetery, located in the West Douglas Neighborhood of Kalamazoo, is a historic burial ground that reflects the city’s rich history. Established in 1849, it was initially a private cemetery, becoming public in 1940 when it was purchased by the City of Kalamazoo. The cemetery has beauty and character in abundance, from its gently rolling landscape to the variety of monuments located within its grounds.

The history of Kalamazoo is woven into the landscape of the cemetery, where the stories of its past residents are etched into the monuments and gravesites that line its winding roads. It is the final resting place of hundreds of families that helped shape Kalamazoo, including the Upjohns, Fetzers and Ransoms. If you compare the names of city streets to the names within the cemetery, you find it not only rich in character, but also rich in history.

The Irving S. Gilmore Foundation has graciously supported infrastructure improvements in the cemetery, preserving the rich history. This financial assistance enabled the restoration of deteriorated roadways and failing storm drainage systems, as well as repairs to retaining walls. These crucial improvements were vital for maintaining the resting place of numerous early community leaders, ensuring that Kalamazoo’s history remains intact for future generations.

For more information, visit www.kalamazoocity.org/community/cemeteries/mountain-home-cemetery

Community Development  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Cares Sexual Wellness Services

Cares of Southwest Michigan was started by activists in 1985 in response to AIDS, providing a place for people to ask questions about HIV and share information about HIV across the state. That collaborative spirit in the face of uncertainty remains a pillar of the organization.

Today, Cares’ mission is to provide comprehensive sexual wellness services where all participants feel welcome, well-informed, cared for and loved. Its vision is a community of individuals – regardless of status, position or background – that are empowered to navigate their own sexual health and wellness without shame, stigma or judgment.

We do this through case management and housing assistance for people living with HIV; STI and HIV prevention, testing and education; and our clinic, Iridescent Health, which provides LGBTQ primary and gender affirming care as well as HIV medical care and primary care.

Cares has always been focused on providing services where it is most convenient for clients. To that end, The Irving S. Gilmore Foundation graciously funded a mobile clinic for Cares, increasing our ability to provide HIV and STI testing and medical care in Kalamazoo County. We have used our mobile unit at OutFront Kalamazoo and plan to use it at area Pride events and throughout the community.

Our goal is to work with community partners in providing care through the mobile clinic to help de-stigmatize HIV and STI testing as well as to share resources.

For more information, please visit www.caresswm.org

Health and Well-Being  Posted by 11 Jun 2025

Eversight

Established in 1947, Eversight’s mission is to restore sight and prevent blindness through the healing power of donation, transplantation and research. We screen cornea tissue donors; evaluate donor eligibility; and recover, process and provide human eye tissue for transplantation to those in need worldwide.

Poor eye health can have a detrimental effect on mortality, quality of life, independence and a person’s economic situation. One of the leading causes of vision impairment is corneal-related blindness, which can be cured through a corneal transplant. Corneal transplants are the most common type of transplant, with a success rate of more than 97 percent. This is a critical surgery that thousands depend on to live their lives to the fullest, and Eversight plays a key role in providing tissue for these transplants in Kalamazoo County.

In 2024, we worked with 171 Kalamazoo County residents who gave the gift of sight as corneal donors. In the same year, 33 tissues were provided for Kalamazoo County residents to receive a second chance at sight through a corneal transplant.

For more information, visit www.eversightvision.org.

Health and Well-Being  Posted by 11 Jun 2025