Director's Message
The drama critic George Jean Nathan quipped, "Love is an emotion experienced by the many and enjoyed by the few." We hope you are included in "the few!" As a part of our Kalamazoo Valley community, you might appreciate this perspective from the Dalai Lama more: "When we feel love and kindness towards others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace." This essence of caring feels to me like the backbone of what Kalamazoo Valley is all about. We here at the KVCC Foundation are sending out love and gratitude to you for all that you do to help our students--and the community as a whole--feel valued and cared for.
Alisha Siebers
Associate Vice President for College Advancement
and Executive Director for the KVCC Foundation asiebers@kvcc.edu
269.488.4821
The month of February has been recognized as the month of love with the celebration of Valentines Day since the 14th century. Valentine's Day and its origins is steeped in folklore, (history of Valentine's Day) No matter why you celebrate it, it is a wonderful time to pause and acknowledge those individuals that you admire the most.
The KVCC Foundation expresses our heartfelt gratitude and admiration to our Donors, whose time, talent and treasures express love and support of education at the college and in our community. Thank you!
NEW - The Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades Endowed Scholarship A new endowed scholarship has been created at the KVCC Foundation. Staff at Maple Hill Auto created a scholarship in memory of Wyatt Taylor.
Wyatt graduated in 2021 from Portage Community High School. During his senior year, he dual enrolled at Kalamazoo Valley Community College to complete and earn his welding certificate. After graduation Wyatt pursued a career in the Union Trades.
The Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades Scholarship was established to support qualifying students in a Skilled Trades program with funds for tuition or personal expenses. If you would like to help grow this scholarship, you can donate here. Just indicate "Wyatt Taylor Memorial Trades Scholarship" on the online form.
How to Use Your Donations to Save on Taxes - Tax Years 2023 and 2024 by Michelle P. Scott Charitable contributions are a tax-saving opportunity. Not only does the charity benefit, but taxpayers enjoy tax savings by deducting part or all of their contributions on their tax returns.
For the 2023 and 2024 tax years, taxpayers can deduct charitable contributions if they itemize their tax deductions using Schedule A of Form 1040. Charitable contribution deductions for cash contributions to public charities and operating foundations are limited to up to 60% of a taxpayer's adjusted gross income. see article
Charitable Giving Incentives Empower Working Families and Strengthen Nonprofits Charitable contributions from individuals and families of all income levels are essential to maintaining a healthy society and ensuring that nonprofit organizations can deliver on their missions. Bills have been introduced to the Michigan legislation as well as the U.S. House and Senate that recognize the importance of tax policy in providing relief to working families who contribute to important causes in their communities. see article from the Council of Michigan Foundations, Michigan Nonprofit Association and Food Bank Council of Michigan
Save the Date! 2024 Fretboard Festival March 1 - 2, 2024 Celebrate Kalamazoo's guitar history and legacy by taking a deeper look at past Fretboard Festivals, interviews from former Gibson employees, and the Kalamazoo Valley Museum's guest guitar features! Fretboard Festival
Save the Date! African Heritage Foodways Symposium April 5 - 6, 2024 Enjoy a keynote presentation on April 5, 2024 at the Kalamazoo Valley Museum, then a day full of workshops, cooking demonstrations and panel discussions on April 6, 2024 at Kalamazoo Valley Community College's Marilyn J. Schlack Culinary and Allied Health Building in downtown Kalamazoo. Recently a collaboration with several community gardens grew a variety of African heritage crops, such as millet, sorghum, eggplant, okra, beans and more. Stay tuned for more information. Kalamazoo FoodwaysUpdate Your Contact Information Have you moved? Changed your name or have a different email address? If you have new contact information, please take a moment and complete the Information Update form.
