Building a Healthier Michigan for Generations to Come
With the support of our Healthy Futures Endowment, the National Kidney Foundation of Michigan is expanding the reach and impact of our proven, evidence-based programs with a strong emphasis on prevention. Through this fund, we are:
- Helping children build early knowledge about healthy eating and physical activity
- Reaching more at-risk individuals across Michigan with screening and support
- Focusing our efforts on communities facing health disparities and limited access to preventive care
- Transforming kidney care through earlier identification, treatment, and ongoing support
An endowment is a permanent fund where the principal is invested, and only the earnings are used to support our mission year after year. This means your gift to the Healthy Futures Endowment helps create lasting change today and for future generations.
Join us in shaping a healthier future. Your contribution to the Healthy Futures Endowment is an investment in prevention and lifelong wellness. Give now and be part of a legacy that transforms lives across Michigan.
What is an Endowment?
An endowment consists of money donated (to the NKFM) that is invested to generate returns. The donated money is not spent; only the earnings are.
The income generated supports the programs and operations of the NKFM to ensure long-term sustainability. This makes each gift to the endowment a “forever” gift that keeps on earning and growing!
Our Vision
We know that the vast majority of kidney disease is preventable. We also know that we can help people with kidney disease live better and longer through education and support. The Healthy Futures campaign will help us expand, empower, and transform our fight against kidney disease as we ramp up our efforts statewide.
EXPAND | Health Education and Early Intervention
Through Healthy Futures, we will build relationships beyond southeast Michigan in western, northern, and central Michigan, doubling the number of children and families we serve. The more children we influence today, the fewer adults will suffer from kidney disease in the future. And since eating and exercise habits impact other chronic conditions, we’ll also be preventing diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and other costly diseases at the same time.
EMPOWER | Strengthen Families & Communities
We know that barriers like location, income level, and education level prevent some people from having access to these services. However, we believe that everyone should have access to comprehensive care for the treatment and management of kidney disease. That’s why we will increase our marketing of online, self-directed learning programs. We will also build new partnerships to host events at locations that feel comfortable and welcoming to community members.
TRANSFORM | An innovative approach to diagnosis and support
We know that healthcare is driven by patient access, provider knowledge and insurance guidelines. So what would it look like if everyone involved in healthcare – patients, providers and insurers – was motivated to proactively screen for and treat kidney disease? That’s our vision for an innovative pilot program, one that intercepts kidney disease early and helps patients live better, healthier lives. In the process, we will decrease the personal anguish and limitations of this disease. We also hope to dramatically decrease the financial burden, which is roughly $120,000 per year to care for someone in the later stages of kidney disease.
What will a healthy future look like?
The strategies in the Healthy Futures campaign are built on 65+ years of hard-won knowledge. We are passionate about preventing this highly preventable disease and increasing the quality of life for people who have it. We envision significant, far-reaching outcomes for this work that will be supported in perpetuity through the growth of our endowment fund.
Click here to see the Healthy Futures Brochure and learn more about the Committee Members.
Where are we now?
How you can help
- One-time gifts: Contributions to the campaign can be made in the form of a one-time gift of cash or a gift of appreciated assets such as stocks or securities.
- Pledges: For your convenience, pledges can be payable over a three-year period.
- Commemorative opportunities: We invite you to honor friends, family, the memory of a loved one, or a business through a commemorative gift. We will work with you to determine the appropriate vehicle for permanent recognition of substantial gifts.
A Special Message from a Healthy Futures Donor Family
My name is Liza Hennessy. I would like you to think of seven people who mean the most to you. Now, consider this scenario: One of those cherished individuals is unknowingly suffering from a disease. Initially, there are no symptoms, but silently, the disease advances and threatens to take their life. It’s a sobering reality. One in seven adults in Michigan has the beginning stages of kidney disease, but 90% of them do not know it. Without treatment, the disease will advance to critical stages, taking the lives of our loved ones.
If you would like to learn more about the Healthy Futures campaign, please contact Laura Mazzola at lmazzola@nkfm.org or 734-222-9800 x1004.




