When you see Kathy Swantek at Rotary, a community event, or even Sanborn Gratiot Memorial Home, you would never guess that her nonprofit involvement and passion to care for so many in our community has spanned over four decades professionally as Executive Director at Blue Water Developmental Housing.

Now as Kathy starts her retirement journey from Blue Water Developmental Housing, she is embarking on a different way to give back to our community, complementing her extraordinary volunteerism by giving back through a donor advised fund held at the Community Foundation.

“Everyone should have a home to live in, healthy food, medical care and a good education. One way I can positively impact those areas locally will be through my new donor advised fund,” Kathy said.

As a long-time partner, donor and friend of the Foundation, Kathy has seen firsthand how the Women’s Initiative has impacted the lives of young children and how the Foundation serves as a vessel for a variety of ideas to better our community and take action to improve local lives. Now she wants to continue her charitable legacy by giving back to the community in ways that are meaningful to her and over time.

One of the features of a donor advised fund that Kathy appreciates most is her ability to be involved in the selection and awarding of grant dollars. Donors, like Kathy, are free to give to any charitable cause, local or not, through a donor advised fund.

“I’ve had the privilege of being involved with so many great local nonprofits over the years, ones making a true difference in the lives of children and local families. I want to be able to support those organizations and efforts as the opportunities arise. My new fund will allow me to do just that, make grants when I feel it’s the right time,” Kathy said.

Kathy knows our community well, having been named Blue Water Woman Nonprofit Executive of the year in 2016, and receiving the 2021 community service award from Community Mental Health. She has numerous other accolades from her tenure that speak to her connection with our community and helping others. So it is no surprise that her legacy of giving back will continue, but start to look a little different in her retirement years.

The Community Foundation is grateful for the opportunity to help Kathy continue to support her charitable passions and address basic needs for everyone in our community through her donor advised fund.