Kalamazoo's Leading Senior Living Provider Unveils Major Fundraising Initiative to Enhance Care for Nearly 450 Seniors
*KALAMAZOO, MI* – Heritage Community of Kalamazoo has launched the Thrive Together Campaign, a three-year, $9 million fundraising initiative to transform senior living, expand affordable memory care, enhance wellness spaces, and strengthen benevolent care across its campus.
The fundraiser will pay for major renovations at Hawthorn Landing, upgrades to the Upjohn Care and Rehabilitation Center, and campus-wide enhancements for improved dignity, wellness, and access to care for the nearly 450 seniors served every year.
Renovations are expected to begin in 2026 with completion anticipated by 2028.
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo says the campaign is an investment in the future of aging in the area, and they have committed $6 million toward facility renovations and program enhancements, with $3 million coming from community philanthropy to complete the vision.
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo has served the community since 1945 and remains one of the region's leading nonprofit senior living providers, offering independent living, assisted living, memory care, skilled nursing, rehabilitation, and home care services all on one campus.
It is one of the few senior living communities in Kalamazoo that accepts Medicaid.
They have secured $8.8 million of its $9 million goal already through Heritage's own investment and early philanthropic support.
Now, the leadership of the Thrive Together campaign is inviting individuals, businesses, and philanthropic partners to help complete the campaign.
Gifts will support renovations, expand access to care, and ensure that no resident is turned away because they outlive their financial resources.
Contributions can be made by visiting heritagethrivestogether.org or contacting the Heritage Community of Kalamazoo Foundation at (269) 276-4046.
The Thrive Together Campaign represents Heritage's continued commitment to providing exceptional care for seniors in Southwest Michigan. The campaign will focus on several key areas:
- Hawthorn Landing Renovations – Major upgrades to this memory care community to improve living spaces and create more welcoming environments for residents with dementia and Alzheimer's
- Upjohn Care and Rehabilitation Center – Enhanced facilities to provide higher quality skilled nursing and rehabilitation services
- Wellness Space Enhancements – New and improved spaces for fitness, social activities, and therapeutic programs
- Benevolent Care Expansion – Strengthened programs to ensure no resident is turned away due to financial constraints
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo operates as a comprehensive campus, meaning all services are available under one roof. This includes:
- Independent living apartments
- Assisted living units
- Memory care communities
- Skilled nursing facilities
- Rehabilitation services
- Home care programs
The nonprofit has been a cornerstone of Kalamazoo's senior care landscape for over 80 years, adapting and evolving to meet the changing needs of an aging population while maintaining its commitment to compassion and dignity.
For over 80 years, Heritage Community of Kalamazoo has been more than a place to live—it's been a place to belong.
The Thrive Together Campaign is now open to donors across Kalamazoo County and Southwest Michigan. Heritage is seeking partnerships with:
- Individual donors
- Local businesses and corporations
- Foundations and grant organizations
- Estate gifts and planned giving
The campaign website, heritagethrivestogether.org, provides detailed information about the project and opportunities to contribute.
About Heritage Community of Kalamazoo
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo is the region's largest and longest-standing senior living provider, with a presence dating back to 1945. The nonprofit offers a full continuum of care on one campus, serving approximately 450 residents annually.
Heritage is distinguished as one of the few senior living communities in Kalamazoo that accepts Medicaid, making it accessible to residents who would otherwise face significant financial barriers to quality senior care.
The organization has earned recognition for its commitment to resident-centered care, facility excellence, and community engagement. The new Thrive Together Campaign builds on this legacy while addressing the evolving needs of an aging population.
What Residents and Families Can Expect
The renovations and enhancements planned under the Thrive Together Campaign will focus on:
- Improving accessibility throughout the campus
- Creating more spacious and comfortable living environments
- Expanding memory care resources and specialized programming
- Enhancing wellness and recreational facilities
- Strengthening home care and rehabilitation services
Heritage Community of Kalamazoo leadership has emphasized that the campaign represents more than just facility improvements—it's about ensuring that every resident, regardless of their financial situation, has access to the highest quality care possible.
The campaign is an investment in the future of aging in the area.
The project timeline is aggressive but realistic, with groundbreaking expected later this year and major milestones scheduled throughout 2026, 2027, and 2028.
Community Impact
The Thrive Together Campaign will have lasting impacts on Southwest Michigan's senior care landscape. By expanding capacity and improving quality of care, Heritage will be able to:
- Accept more residents who need care
- Provide higher quality services to current residents
- Maintain waitlists for those in need
- Keep care affordable for Medicaid-eligible residents
With $8.8 million already secured, Heritage is well-positioned to move forward with the project. The remaining $3 million needed will come from community donors and philanthropic partners who share Heritage's commitment to serving seniors with dignity and compassion.
Sources
- https://wkzo.com/2026/03/27/908299/
- https://heritagethrivestogether.org/
- https://www.heritagecommunity.com/contact/