The forces that brought the Foundation into being and gave it so much momentum are the same forces that continue to shape and strengthen the organization today. They include initiative, acumen, compassion, and a deep commitment to the well-being of the community.

The Formative Years
In 1960, several illustrious members of the United Way Fund met informally to discuss their shared concerns. They agreed that far too many special projects and community programs were languishing for lack of funds. Many things that needed to be accomplished--some urgently--were simply not happening. The question was: what to do about it? The group volunteered their time and energy to study the problem as a committee.

After three years of intensive study, the committee made its recommendation: create a community foundation, a trust that would use endowments to supplement the work of other agencies. The members knew very well that there were more needs than could ever be met by philanthropy. Still, they believed that a community foundation could make an important contribution, first by providing seed money on a short-term basis to nonprofit groups, and second by giving citizens new ways to contribute to their community. The Ann Arbor Area Foundation was officially incorporated in 1963.

A Growing Concern for Our Quality of Life
At the end of its first year of operation, the Foundation held assets of $59,018 and awarded just over $6,000 in grants. By the end of 1997, assets stood at $13.5 million and Foundation grants totaled more than $500,000.

Today, the Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in Michigan--a permanent and growing endowment built by gifts from thousands of individuals and organizations, all concerned about improving the quality of life in the greater Ann Arbor area. Our continuing success is a tribute both to the visionary citizens who created the Foundation and the hundreds of donors, volunteers, committee members and advisors who continue to make it grow, thrive and evolve.