Our Purpose

In 1963, residents established the foundation as a permanent source of community capital in Washtenaw County. Think of us as a savings account for the community, with proceeds from our funds distributed to support nonprofits through grants and students through scholarships.

In more technical terms, AAACF is a tax-exempt public charity (EIN: 38-6087967) that helps individuals, families, groups, and organizations accomplish their philanthropic goals. Through a core team of our staff, trustees, and hundreds of volunteers, AAACF connects people, charitable causes, and permanent capital for community impact.

Our Mission

The Ann Arbor Area Community Foundation enriches the quality of life in our region through its knowledgeable leadership, engaged grantmaking, and creative partnerships with donors to make philanthropic investments and build endowment.

Our Values

Prioritizing Community

Our community includes all residents of Washtenaw County, representing the many communities within.

We will listen actively and deeply to our community and will hold ourselves accountable for empowering people, especially those under-served or overlooked by current systems.

Pursuing Equity

We define equity as providing different levels of support based on an individual’s or group’s needs to achieve fair outcomes and to help all people achieve their full potential.

We will work to understand and change root causes of injustice. We will engage in difficult conversations, take stands, and exert servant leadership in support of equity.

Our board, staff, and volunteers will reflect the diversity of Washtenaw County. We recognize the foundation’s position of privilege in the community and will use it to pursue inclusion and equity.

Earning Trust

We will be self-reflective, candid, and transparent, and we will perform our work with integrity, professionalism, and stewardship.

Embracing Collaboration

We will use our financial, human, and social capital to seek allies, nurture relationships, and harness the power of partnership and mutual learning. We will strive to develop shared vision and goals with our community and partners.

Leveraging Knowledge

We will be a data-driven organization that generates, shares, and uses high quality information to make decisions, including information gained from the lived experience and voice of community residents. We will study, adapt, and implement innovative ideas to enhance our local impact.

Our Commitment & Accountability

AAACF has passed the National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations, an accreditation program of the Council on Foundations that fosters excellence in community philanthropy. This accreditation certifies that a community foundation has legal, ethical, and effective operational practices, demonstrating the highest levels of transparency and accountability. Through this, we are committed to our donors, partners, and community to lead positive change in Washtenaw County and help meet their charitable goals.