Content excerpted and adapted from a Kalamazoo Community Foundation press release.

The Kalamazoo Community Foundation (KZCF) received a $20,000 grant from the Consumers Energy Foundation to advance diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in Kalamazoo County.

This grant is part of $100,000 awarded by the Consumers Energy Foundation to support five community foundations across Michigan that are directly working with local organizations actively engaged in DEI initiatives.

The award from the Consumers Energy Foundation boosts funding for KZCF’s new Sustaining BIPOC Leaders Grant initiative. The grant provides rest, respite, professional development, executive coaching and wellness options to local nonprofit leaders.

The opportunity is offered specifically to leaders who are Black, Indigenous and/or People of Color (BIPOC).

“The critical work of our nonprofit partners can sometimes come at the expense of their own well-being,” Carolyn Bloodworth, secretary/treasurer of the Consumers Energy Foundation said. “We’re proud to partner with the Kalamazoo Community Foundation to ease the financial burden on nonprofit leaders and provide access to the resources and support they deserve as they work to advance equity in the local community.”

In the pilot round of funding, KZCF made $60,000 in total grant awards to 28 local nonprofit leaders. The main requests were for healing and wellness, professional development and taking a sabbatical or leave of absence.

“When our nonprofit partners are focused on ensuring the cost of their operations is covered, wellness support can become inaccessible or deprioritized,” Lily Salas, KZCF Community Investment Officer said.

Read the full press release.