The Kalamazoo Nonprofit Advocacy Coalition (KNAC) has spent the past two years intentionally and quietly developing the groundwork and relationships to get to where it is today. Now, with nearly 20 organizations and a home in the oldest public building in Kalamazoo, KNAC has publicly debuted its efforts. “I want to see it (the building) used completely all day every day,” said KNAC Board President Dann Sytsma in this Encore article.

Continuing its commitment to creativity and the arts–which was a focus of the previous owner, the First Baptist Church–Dann and the KNAC team are excited to move forward. “The vision is to provide affordable space to arts groups, nonprofits, and startups to see their vision through,” said Dann. “It’s a place where people are not afraid to experiment with crazy ideas. That it fully respects the arts, but respects all of the arts–not just the high-financed, world-renowned arts.”

As a co-founder of Improv Effects, Dann has a passion for helping organizations develop healthy work cultures and communications strategies. Applying his in-depth work culture knowledge, Dann explained that KNAC and future tenants will be committed to adaptability and collaboration. “We want to build a culture that is very collaborative with an arts focus,” Dann said. “We have such a good board of people that will never settle–that is going to go a long way. I [also} think the tenants we have and will welcome in here will always challenge what we’re doing.”

While the plan for much of the building is still on the drawing board, the group is currently focused on creating a shared work space area. “We want to see that synergy happening,” said Dann. “We feel like we can build a culture here that people recognize: ‘I can help somebody else, and that doesn’t take away from my work.’”