The Ann Arbor Area Foundation was officially incorporated in July 1963.
"Community" was added to our name in 1990.

The guiding forces behind our start:

• Compassion,
• A deep commitment to the well-being of our community, and
• A shared concern that worthwhile community programs and initiatives needed funding support.

In 1962, the Board of the Washtenaw United Fund researched  the feasibility of establishing a broad purpose community foundation that could serve local community needs. Unlike private foundations, a community foundation would operate as a “public trust” - receiving broad public support from donors throughout the community.

The Community Foundation’s founding members - Jack Hogan,
Earl Cress, Joseph Foster, Edward Adams, and William Walz - believed that a community foundation could serve two essential purposes:

• Provide a permanent source of funds that  would be available to meet a wide range of changing and emerging community needs, and 
• Provide a flexible vehicle for community members to give back.

The Community Foundation’s first endowed fund  was established in 1963 when assets from a private family foundation were transferred to AAA(C)F. The James & Clarice Foster Fund was established as a field of interest fund to benefit youth.

In its first year, the Community Foundation’s assets totaled $59,018.
Two grants totaling $6,291 were awarded.

Today, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in Michigan.

At year-end 2010, the Community Foundation’s assets totaled $58.6 million. Since 1963, AAACF has awarded more than $21 million in grants and scholarships -  $1.7 million in 2010.

AAACF's continued success is a tribute to the small group of visionary citizens who first established the Community Foundation, and to the thousands of community members - donors, volunteers, committee members and advisors - whose continued support and efforts help us meet the changing needs of our community - For good. For ever.

To see AAACF's major milestones.