Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards

for U.S. Community Foundations

Foundation Staff

Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, leads our team of professional staff members who carry out activities on behalf of our communities to achieve the Foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life and build a spirit of community in Berrien County. In addition to full-time employees Nanette Keiser and Anne Mc Causland, Program Director, our Administrative Assistant and Administrative Intern are in two half-time positions that complete the team in providing services to donors, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and our community partners. The Foundation also relies heavily on volunteers who serve on various committees.

History

The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 by William Vawter and a group of concerned business people, much like the rest of the community foundation movement that started in the Midwest. The Foundation is an innovative means by which concerned citizens could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County residents.

The Foundation is a union of numerous gifts, bequests, and other contributions that form permanent endowments and other funds. The spendable portion of the Foundation's endowments is used to make grants to qualified agencies and institutions serving the residents of Berrien County. Grants from donor advised funds may be distributed anywhere in the United States. The Foundation responds to emerging community needs by funding programs that enhance the quality of life. In over 55 years of grantmaking, the philanthropic dollars committed to the Foundation have touched every community in Berrien County.

The Foundation also continues to offer a wide variety of charitable giving opportunities that can help any concerned individual invest in the future of our area and beyond. From totally undesignated funds to organizational funds (e.g., nonprofits, schools) to personalized donor advised funds, prospective donors can shape gift agreements to meet both their financial objectives and charitable aspirations. For more information about the role the Community Foundation can play as a partner in your philanthropy, please call the Foundation office at 269-983-3486. Our hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, appointments much appreciated.

Current Financial Statement

This report covers the Foundation's financial activities from January 1-December 31, 2007. The unqualified opinion letter provided by our auditors, Schaffer & Layher, LLP, the statement of financial position, and the statement of  financial activities are included. For additional information, please contact Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, 269-983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@BerrienCommunity.org.

To view, print, and/or download a copy, click on the link below.

Audited Financial Statements (pdf)

Latest Community Report--Celebrating 55 Years

We are very pleased to present our latest report to our communities. We believe our founders, including William Vawter, would be very pleased with all that we've accomplished together to build a spirit of community throughout Berrien County.

Joanne Sims, 2005-2007 Board Chair, Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., Foundation President,

and Greg Vaughn, 2007-__ Board Chair celebrate 55 years (l to r)

This report covers the Foundation's activities through June 2007.  For additional information, please contact Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, 269-983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@BerrienCommunity.org.

To view, print, and/or download a copy, click on the link below.

2007 Community Report (pdf)

A Snapshot of Developments in 2007

• Building permanent endowments and other funds, providing a broad range of flexible and cost-effective donor services (200 and growing no. of funds), and adding several members to our Legacy Society
• Investing and managing funds prudently and professionally ($22+ million under management), reaching out to professional advisors through educational services, and providing financial services for the Southwestern Michigan Estate Planning Council
• Providing grants to support a broad range of projects and programs with an emphasis on building a spirit of community/arts & culture, nurturing our children, and youth development and leadership (over $1.5 million in 2007).  
• Serving as a leader, catalyst, and resource for our communities via many collaborations including Lake Michigan College's Leadership Academy, Southwest Michigan 2-1-1, Sustaining the Future:  The Planned Giving Education Program of Berrien County, Southwestern MI Estate Planning Council, Volunteer Center of SW MI, and Women's Business Center, among others.