Excellence in Education and the Kalamazoo Community Foundation

In the spring of 1986, representatives from several area public and non-public schools gathered at the invitation of the Kalamazoo Community Foundation to develop a program that would honor both students and educators who demonstrate excellence. Started in 1989 with funds from the Monroe-Brown Foundation and Kalamazoo Community Foundation, the program honors the top 2.5 percent of Kalamazoo County graduates.

In the spring of 1992, the Monroe-Brown Foundation issued a $300,000 challenge grant to the community to provide a permanent fund to enable the Excellence in Education program to continue. Within months, five area foundations matched the challenge grant. They were soon joined by individuals, businesses and organizations offering their support.

Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center

Launched in the early 80s, the Kalamazoo Area Math & Science Center (KAMSC) provides a math and science curriculum to the most talented high school students in Kalamazoo County. Pharmacia (now Pfizer) provided substantial support for the founding of the school.  In 1991, the Monroe-Brown Foundation gifted $150,000 toward a successful $550,000 challenge grant to upgrade and expand the facilities and programs.