KALAMAZOO MI (WKZO AM/FM) – Kalamazoo Mayor David Anderson, flanked by Foundation for Excellence board members, City Commissioners and city staff, announced Wednesday that the Foundation For Excellence (FFE) has received a $400 million dollar gift.
Officials say this is a donation that will allow FFE to continue its mission in perpetuity.
“This is a historic moment for Kalamazoo,” City Manager Jim Ritsema said. “This announcement means dependability, ensuring the city will sustainably thrive and equitably serve all residents.”
Before the announcement, the Foundation had invested about $120 million dollars thus far in budget stabilization, community projects and property tax savings.
“Due to the fact that we have generous, generous people that live in this community, we are putting a stake in the ground,” Mayor David Anderson said. “We’re putting a stake in the ground for our children, and our children’s children by creating and funding this endowment that will put us in the position having a fund that will last in perpetuity, entirely aligned with our values in the city of Kalamazoo, to make this a great place for all of us to live.”
The gift comes a few months after Western Michigan received a record gift of $550 million dollars.
