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======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation Welcomes Finance/Program Director
Lanette Sanford has been appointed the Finance/Program Director of the Berrien Community Foundation. She joined the Foundation in September 2010 and has been in the position of Finance/Program Assistant. Lanette is originally from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a Bachelor of Science in Accountancy from the University of Alabama-Huntsville and an MBA from DePaul University in Chicago. She has been in several corporate finance roles at Fortune 500 companies and been an active volunteer. She currently resides in St. Joseph with her husband and daughter. Lanette will be assuming all the responsibilities of Program Director Anne Mc Causland who recently retired from the Foundation. Additionally Lanette will continue to have several responsibilities in the Foundation's finance area. “We are very pleased to have someone of Lanette Sanford’s caliber and experience in these key roles at the Foundation,” said Dr. Nanette Keiser, Foundation President, “We believe our donors, volunteers, grantees, and community partners will greatly appreciate this reconfiguration of our team." The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, please visit www.BerrienCommunity.org.
Lanette Sanford, Finance/Program Director, Nanette Keiser, President, and retired Program Director Anne Mc Causland (l to r) ======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation Scholarship Applications Available
The Berrien Community Foundation is pleased to announce that the 2012 applications are available for its various scholarship programs made possible by several donors. Berrien County graduating high school seniors are encouraged to visit www.berriencommunity.org (Scholarships button), for a complete list of available scholarships and criteria. Applications for many of these scholarships programs are available for downloading on this Web page. Berrien County high school counseling offices will receive a limited number of copies of these applications around February 1. Students may check with these offices as well. Applications are due March 8, 2012. Decisions will be announced in early May on the same web site. Please visit www.berriencommunity.org for more information.
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GRANTS AVAILABLE FROM “THE HEART OF COOK”
Grant applications are again available from the Heart of Cook Foundation Fund held at the Berrien Community Foundation. “The Heart of Cook” is a grant program administered by the Berrien Community Foundation targeted to assist educational, human services, and environmental nonprofit projects in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana (LaPorte, St. Joseph, Elkhart Counties). Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant funds this program. “Cook employees volunteer thousands of hours to community organizations each year,” said Larry Weber, senior vice president and chief nuclear officer. “‘The Heart of Cook’s grant program is another way we express our appreciation for working and living in our various communities.” The funding focuses for “The Heart of Cook” grants program are educational projects, human services programs that support families, and environmental protection and preservation projects. The grant review committee, comprised of Cook Nuclear Plant employees, gives special consideration to projects that involve I&M employees. 501(c)(3) tax exempt or equivalent status is required. “In 2011, we contributed $53,000 to fund 37 nonprofit programs and special projects in educational and community-based agencies,” said Bill Schalk, employee advisory committee member. Grant applications and guidelines may be obtained by visiting the Berrien Community Foundation's web site at www.berriencommunity.org starting January 9, 2012. The grant application due date is February 8, 2012, with awards to be announced in May. ======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation Announces Scholarship Program The Berrien Community Foundation is pleased to announce the availability of the Dunn, Samaritan Counseling Center Volunteerism Scholarship in 2012. This scholarship was established by Eddie R. Dunn with the goal of promoting volunteerism as part of a unique educational and professional development experience for aspiring professionals. This is a nonrenewable scholarship of $2,000 for part-time or full-time undergraduate or graduate students. Eligible students are at least in their first year at Andrews University, Lake Michigan College, Southwestern Michigan College, or Western Michigan University-Berrien County campus. While any field of study is considered, preference is given to those in business administration and/or information technology. This scholarship opportunity involves a professional development experience through an internship at the Samaritan Counseling Center. One scholarship will be awarded each year. The Samaritan Counseling Center of Southwestern Michigan, Inc., a non-profit organization, provides professional psychological counseling, consultation, and community educational services, integrating spiritual insights with the values and faith of the client. “We are very honored to be involved with this scholarship program made possible through the wonderful generosity of Ed Dunn. Unique collaborations like this in Southwest Michigan ensure that the Samaritan Counseling Center continues to help find your direction; mind, body, spirit, and community”, said Kim Forsey, Samaritan Counseling Center Executive Director. Additional criteria for this scholarship are on the Foundation’s web site at www.berriencommunity.org, Scholarships. The application will be available by February 1, 2012. The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Foundation visit www.berriencommunity.org. ======================================================= Community Foundation Week This holiday season can be a time of reflection—about the great needs that continue in Berrien County—about actions necessary to address these needs. These actions are an important part of our efforts at the Berrien Community Foundation, serving Berrien County since 1952. We are here to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County, to promote philanthropy, and to build a spirit of community. Community foundations, as facilitative community leaders, encourage collaborations and thus leverage resources provided by our donors to address these needs. We are honored to be a member of the Coalition of Community Funders (BCF, Frederick S. Upton Foundation, United Way of SW MI, Whirlpool Foundation) and to partner with these other funders around critical initiatives in workplace-based literacy, early childhood, leadership development, and enhancing the capacity of Berrien County nonprofit organizations, among others. Other community partners include Berrien County (Self-Help Legal Resource Center), Lake Michigan College, Lakeland Health Foundations, Michigan Works!, the Area Agency on Aging (2900 Lakeview Project/PACE+), and the Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency (Bridges Out of Poverty-Poverty Simulation Workshop). Please visit our web site at www.berriencommunity.org for a complete list. During the 2011 Community Foundation Week (November 13-17), residents throughout the U.S. are asked to recognize the vital roles of more than 700 community foundations nationwide. In 2010, in addition to being facilitative community leaders, these foundations granted an estimated $4 billion to support various nonprofit activities. Though they can never replace the role of government-funded services, community foundations do help nonprofits by using their private resources for the public good. We invest about $2 million annually from the 250 funds entrusted to us to support a number of causes to advance the public good in Berrien County. We also assist individuals, couples, families, and businesses to fulfill their charitable wishes through our various donor services for these funds. We are proud to be part of the commitment and innovation in
Berrien County to address the great needs here. We take our responsibilities
very seriously, especially in regard to investing our donors’ charitable dollars
wisely. We are more determined than ever to realize a better quality of life for
all. For more information about the Foundation please visit
www.berriencommunity.org. ======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation Grants $148,000
The Berrien Community Foundation recently awarded over $148,000 in grants to several Berrien County nonprofit organizations. Grants were provided in the areas of building a spirit of community/arts & culture, nurturing our children, youth leadership and development, lifelong learning, and Golden Acorn mini grants for classroom projects. In a given year, the Foundation provides about $2 million in grants from its 250 funds to benefit Berrien County. “Our grants support a variety of programs in Berrien County that range from an educational music exhibit to a park accessibility and education enhancement project,” said Dr. Nanette Keiser, Berrien Community Foundation president. “In these challenging times it is important that the Foundation supports these Berrien County organizations as they accomplish their missions.” Building a spirit of community/arts & culture grants totaling $39,800 were provided to the Berrien County Victim Services Unit ($4,000), Berrien RESA ($6,000), Gateway ($5,000), Krasl Art Center ($3,500), Lakeshore Rotary Foundation ($7,500), Lest We Forget ($2,300), Region IV Area Agency on Aging ($7,500), Renaissance Enterprises Company ($2,500), and Southshore Concert Band ($1,500). Nurturing our children grants totaled $40,000. These included grants for the Berrien County Health Department ($2,500), Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass ($10,000), Child & Family Services of SW MI ($10,000), Citadel Dance & Music Center ($6,000), Curious Kids’ Museum ($7,000), Heritage Museum & Cultural Center ($3,000), and Sarett Nature Center ($1,500). TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the Foundation’s youth advisory committee, recommended a total of $25,300 in grants to the Board for approval. This included support for Helping Our Youth Achieve ($8,000), LaSalle Council, Boy Scouts of America #165 ($2,300), Reclaiming, Equipping, & Directing Youth (R.E.A.D.Y.) ($3,500), United Way of SW MI ($8,000), and Winning, Inc. of America ($3,500). Lifelong learning commitments totaled $35,663. Grants were allocated to the County of Berrien ($5,663), Harbor Habitat for Humanity ($10,000), Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency ($10,000), and Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra ($10,000). Eleven Berrien County school districts received a total of over $7,000 in Golden Acorn classroom mini grants for 26 teacher projects. Ranging from $100-$500 each, these grants enhance classroom activities throughout the County. The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Foundation call 983-3486 or visit www.berriencommunity.org. ======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation Elects New Trustees Jeff Dorn, St. Joseph; Mary Dunbar, New Buffalo; Barbara Hall, Benton Harbor; Dr. Robert Harrison, Stevensville; and the Hon. Mabel Mayfield, Benton Harbor were elected to 6-year terms as Berrien Community Foundation Board Trustees at the September 14, 2011 Annual Board Trustee meeting held at the Heritage. “We are very pleased to have these five outstanding community volunteers join our Board as Trustees,” said Board Chair Tim Passaro. Tim was elected to a second 6-year term. Other continuing Board Trustees are Lois Ashbrook, Hillary Bubb, Brenda Layne, Anson Lovellette, and Larry Schuler. Joanne Sims, Greg Vaughn, and Sharon Vargo completed the maximum of 12 years on the Board of Trustees. In recognition for their many service contributions over the years to the Foundation and their respective communities, they were named Honorary Trustees and thanked for their stellar service. They will also continue on the Emeriti Trustee Council.
Joanne Sims, Sharon Vargo, and Greg Vaughn, new Honorary Trustees
Jeffrey Dorn joined Plante & Moran in 1990, and in 2003 became a Partner in the Firm’s Tax Practice Group. Jeff graduated from Western Michigan University with a BBA, Accounting. He is an active participant with various organizations (Cornerstone Alliance, Rotary, American Red Cross-Berrien County Chapter, Economic Club of SW MI). He is a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and the Michigan Association of Certified Public Accounts. Jeff is the Foundation’s Treasurer and on the Investment Committee. Mary Dunbar is the Executive Director of The Pokagon Fund in New Buffalo, MI, a private foundation funded by The Four Winds Casino Resort. She was hired in 2007 as the foundation’s first Executive Director. Prior to that time, Mary provided program and fundraising consultation and capacity building to nonprofit organizations and churches in the South Bend, IN area. Mary also served as Director of Community Affairs for 22WSBT television in South Bend, where she founded the station’s holiday campaign, 22 Ways of Giving, for which she won a national award for community service. Additionally, Mary has founded two nonprofits, Make a Difference Michiana and the Diaper Bank of Michiana and has been instrumental in the creation of numerous other nonprofit organizations in Michigan and Indiana. Mary grew up in Louisville, Kentucky, attended Western Kentucky University, raised her two children, Michael and Lauren, in Indiana, and now calls New Buffalo, Michigan home. Barbara Hall is a 2008 retiree of Whirlpool Corporation as the Executive Director of the Whirlpool Foundations where she was responsible for overseeing the operations of the Whirlpool and Maytag Corporation Foundations. She is a former member of the Lake Michigan College Board of Trustees. In addition, she is a past Board chair of the United Way of SW MI, Board Member of the Link Crisis Center, past Board chair for Cornerstone Alliance's Women's Business Center, and a volunteer for Harbor Habitat for Humanity. Barbara is a long-time resident of Benton Harbor, MI, graduate of the Benton Harbor Area School system and alumnus of Lake Michigan College and Eastern Michigan University where she majored in Business Administration. Hall is a widow and mother of two daughters, Nicole Singleton and Ericka Williams. She is the daughter of Floyd and Bertha Seats of Benton Harbor. Barbara serves as the Foundation’s Allocation Committee Chair.
Jeff Dorn Mary Dunbar Barbara Hall
Dr. Robert Harrison Hon. Mabel Mayfield
Dr. Robert (Bob) Harrison is President of Lake Michigan College. Bob joined LMC in 1999. Prior to being named as president in 2009, he served the College as Dean of Community and Business Services, Dean of Occupational Studies, and Executive Dean of LMC’s Bertrand Crossing Campus in Niles, and with administrative oversight of the College’s workforce contracts with the Berrien-Cass-Van Buren and Kalamazoo/St. Joseph County Michigan Works agencies. Before joining LMC, Bob worked in the health care industry for over 30 years. He was chief operating officer at Lakeland Regional Health System, and was also President and Chief Executive Officer of Pawating Hospital in Niles. Bob holds a Ph.D. in Educational Leadership with an emphasis in Organizational Analysis from Western Michigan University. He also holds a Masters in Business Administration degree from Temple University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Political Science from WMU. The Hon. Mabel Johnson Mayfield was appointed to the Berrien County Probate Bench by Governor John Engler in January of 2000 and has been subsequently elected to that position. She currently serves as a judge in the Family Division of the Berrien County Trial Court. She is a 30 years plus resident of Berrien County, Michigan. She earned her Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from the Krannert School of Management, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, and received her Juris Doctor degree from Valparaiso University School of Law, Valparaiso, IN. Prior to her appointment she served for 7 years as a Juvenile Court Attorney Referee and was a 10 year veteran of Berrien County Legal Services. Judge Mayfield serves in various volunteer capacities, including: Board Member of the Consortium for Community Development, Board of Directors for the Benton Harbor Readiness Center, Board of Directors for the Area Agency on Aging, member of the Berrien Community Foundation, Purdue Club of Southwestern Michigan, and Delta Sigma Theta Sorority. Judge Mayfield is extremely active in her local church where she also serves with her husband in youth ministries. She frequently serves as a motivational speaker for area schools and community groups. The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, please visit www.BerrienCommunity.org. ======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation Elects New Officers & Appoints Members
The Board of Trustees of the Berrien Community Foundation elected its 2011-2012 officers—Tim Passaro (St. Joseph), Chair; Hillary Bubb (Harbor Country), Vice Chair & Secretary; and Jeffrey Dorn (St. Joseph), Treasurer.
Board Officers: Tim Passaro, Hillary Bubb, Jeffrey Dorn (l to r)
The Board of Trustees also recently appointed 29 new members: Mike Ahern, Barbara Bell, Randy Bettich, Phil Brooks, Wendy Dant Chesser, Ed Dunn, Don Frank, Candice Garman, Jim Gifford, Julia Gourley, Melinda Graham, Jennifer Hsu, Erin Hudson, Kevin Ivers, Maria Kibler, Julee Laurent, Nickolas MaGee, Colleen Mitchell, Caryl Olson, Gayle Olson, Frances Porter Snyder, Peg Schaffer, Leonard Seawood, Al Smith, Jennifer Spikner, Dana Wales, Dennis Wiley, Andrea Wilson, and Mamie Yarbrough. With these additions, there are now 206 members of the Foundation. These new appointments by the Foundation's Board of Trustees are in recognition of the time, resources, and efforts these 29 individuals already contribute to their greater Berrien County communities. Members act as ambassadors for the Foundation, are the critical core of its volunteer base, elect the Board Trustees, appoint its auditor, and generally support the Foundation’s efforts in Berrien County. “We are very privileged to have these Board officers and 29 wonderful community volunteers engaged with the Foundation,” said President Dr. Nanette Keiser, “Their perspectives and insights will greatly enhance our ability to fulfill our mission to serve Berrien County”. The Berrien Community Foundation is celebrating its 59th year and was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders. Its mission is enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in the County. For more information, visit www.BerrienCommunity.org.
======================================================= 2011 Golden Acorn Grantee Awards
The Berrien Community Foundation announced its three 2011 Golden Acorn Grantee Award recipients and spotlighted one of its community partnerships during its 59th annual celebration held on September 14th at the Heritage Center. Donors, volunteers, grantees, fund representatives, and community partners were also recognized during this event. The Foundation’s Golden Acorn Awards program honors nonprofit organizations funded by the Berrien Community Foundation. "We believe that it is most appropriate for the Foundation to honor their good works through the Golden Acorn Grantee Awards," shared Dr. Nanette Keiser, Foundation President, "We consider this our unique way to recognize these organizations and their programs that have so much impact in our County." The Foundation's three primary grant review committees each identified a program funded during the fall 2010 cycle that best illustrated the committees' criteria based on the originally submitted grant applications and updates provided by the programs. The three Golden Acorn Grantee Award recipients were then recognized at the annual celebration where they were given the opportunity to describe their programs. They also each received an additional $1,000 grant for their previously funded programs.
Representing the Golden Acorn Grantee Awards Recipients: Rosemary Sheppard, Shirley Fideli, Missy Joanis, Linda Cheek, Kelly Nightingale, Warren Washington (Child & Family Services of SW MI-Safe Shelter), Lisa Bartoszek, Linda Beushausen, Melinda Graham, Dennis Bowen (Hospice at Home, Inc.-Lory’s Place), Marjorie Tardiff, Doug Chapman (Bridges to Digital Excellence-Computers in the Home.) (l to r)
Bridges to Digital Excellence received the Building a Spirit/Arts & Culture Golden Acorn Grantee Award for its Computers in the Home program. The Foundation’s funding assisted in providing a home computer to students and their families in Michigan’s Great Southwest. Sixty families in Berrien County were impacted by this program. The Nurturing Our Children Golden Acorn Grantee Award was given to Child & Family Services of Southwestern Michigan for its Safe Shelter program. This grant supported 27 domestic violence survivors and their children for 30 nights. This is the average current length of stay at the Safe Shelter. TEAM (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the Foundation’s youth advisory committee, presented the Youth Leadership and Development Golden Acorn Grantee Award to Hospice at Home, Inc. for Lory’s Place—Programming and School Outreach. Over 1,000 children, adults, families, and educators who have experienced a death were served by the Foundation’s funding. This was through seven age-appropriate peer support group programs at Lory’s Place as well as through outreach to twelve schools in Southwest Michigan. Lynn Kellogg, CEO, Area Agency on Aging, described the 2900 Lakeview Project/PACE Plus and the involvement of the Berrien Community Foundation as a community partner and supporter. The Foundation provided $10,000 for the feasibility study and another $50,000 for a conference room in the one-stop senior services area and a conference room in the PACE Center (Program of All-inclusive Care for the Elderly). The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, visit www.BerrienCommunity.org.
======================================================= The Berrien Community Foundation in Top Philanthropic Tier Nationally The Berrien Community Foundation recently received notification that it has again met the nation’s highest standards for operational quality, integrity and accountability. The notice comes from the Community Foundations National Standards Board, a national accreditation organization associated with the Council on Foundations. “This is similar to the Good Housekeeping Seal for community foundations,” said Diane Miller, Manager, Community Foundations National Standards Board. “It says that the Berrien Community Foundation has again demonstrated a commitment to operational quality, integrity, and accountability.”
Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations
The National Standards for U.S. Community FoundationsÔ program requires community foundations to document its policies for donor services, investments, grantmaking and administration. With over 450 of the 1,200 community foundations already confirmed in compliance nationwide, the program is designed to provide quality assurance to donors, as well as to its legal and financial advisors. In order to achieve Confirmation of Compliance with the National Standards, the Berrien Community Foundation again underwent an extensive review of its organizational and financial policies and procedures by experienced community foundation practitioners. This review is required every five years to maintain compliance. The National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations program is the first of its kind for charitable foundations in the United States. “Adopting and adhering again to these standards of excellence is the best means by which we can demonstrate our ongoing commitment to maintaining the trust of the donors, volunteers, grantees, and communities we serve,” said Dr. Nanette Keiser, President, Berrien Community Foundation. "These standards support our mission of building a spirit of community and enhancing the quality of life in Berrien County and beyond." The Berrien Community Foundation was founded by William Vawter and other local leaders in 1952. Its mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berrien County and build a spirit of community through building mainly endowments, providing donor services and grants, and serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, visit www.berriencommunity.org. ======================================================= Berrien Community Foundation to Maintain Endowment The Berrien Community Foundation was notified in December 2010 by the YWCA of Berrien County regarding its corporate dissolution. The Foundation holds a fund called the YWCA Endowment Fund of which only a certain percentage of the fund (historically 5%), as required by law, has been available annually to support the YWCA of Berrien County’s mission. As is the case with all the Foundation's endowments, this fund is a Foundation asset, since the Foundation has legal control and ownership of the fund. If a nonprofit organization connected to an endowment fund at the Foundation such as the YWCA of Berrien County ceases to exist (e.g., dissolves), the Foundation is obligated by IRS and other regulations to continue to hold the endowment and to use only 5% of the endowment for as similar charitable purposes as the original fund. In this case, after careful study of Berrien County needs and the YWCA of Berrien County's primary mission work over the past several years related to childcare, this percentage will be used primarily for programs that build the capacity of childcare providers and/or support childcare services in Berrien County. Grant distributions of about $10,000 per year are anticipated in 2012 and will involve a request for proposal process. For questions, please contact Dr. Nanette Keiser, President, at 269-983-3486.
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Berrien Community Foundation 2900 South State Street, Suite 2 East St. Joseph, MI 49085 Phone: 269.983.3304 Fax: 269.983.4939 Email: bcf@BerrienCommunity.org
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