The Learning Network of Greater Kalamazoo

The Learning Network of Greater Kalamazoo is a dynamic, growing collaboration of individuals and organizations embracing a vision that every child in Kalamazoo County will be ready for school, ready for college and ready for the world. Achieving this vision will distinguish the greater Kalamazoo area as a national-class center of learning and youth development. The Learning Network, formed in June 2011, is helping to launch Kalamazoo County Ready 4s, a pilot program to make quality preschool available and accessible to all 4-year-old county residents.

The Learning Network, which is funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation and Kalamazoo Community Foundation, comprises grants totaling $11 million to help support child development in Kalamazoo: $6 million over three years from the Kellogg Foundation and $5 million over five years from the Kalamazoo Community Foundation.

The Learning Network is aligning community forces to:

• Emphasize the value of education as the key to prosperity;


• Leverage new and existing resources for initiatives that advance education and job readiness,


• Help set a common agenda to transform education; and


• Realize the vision that the community's future depends on education.

Specifically, the Network will facilitate community-wide cooperation that will:

• Increase school readiness for all young people;


• Improve student performance; and


• Prepare individuals for meaningful careers.

The Learning Network will seek involvement and innovation in:

• Literacy;


• College readiness and access to higher education;


• Health and wellness;


• Urban vitality; and


• Economic development.