Latest News
Thursday, May 12, 2022
Nonprofit organizations can now apply for the $50,000 Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant to expand their work and make a difference in Berrien County. The first step is submitting a letter of intent explaining their project by June 1.
“One thing all past winners have in common is that they are standing in the gap and providing services that can be life changing,” BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey said. “This grant opportunity, started by Stephen Upton to show his love for our community, is about making sure nonprofits have the resources...
Wednesday, May 11, 2022
The men from the Korean War Veterans of Southwest Michigan served their country when called upon more than 50 years ago. Now, they continue to serve and honor other veterans through the Veterans Endowment for All Who Served at the Berrien Community Foundation.
The group of local Korean War veterans worked diligently to build the fund and recently awarded the first grants to organizations that support and honor the needs of veterans. A grant to the Berrien Towne and Country Quilters’ Bridgman Patriotic Quilters will offset supply costs the...
Tuesday, April 12, 2022
A $40,000 check is ready to be cashed by Emergency Shelter Services after a challenge grant moved community members to give above and beyond, raising a total of $104,000.
Berrien Community Foundation, Hanson Family Foundation, Frederick S. Upton Foundation and the Felland Fund pooled their resources to offer a 4-to-1 challenge grant to the community to help fund much needed repairs at the family homeless shelter in Benton Harbor. Because of the challenge, every $1 donated by the community would be matched by $4, up to $40,000.
"When I...
Monday, March 28, 2022
Carolyn Hanson has a heart for children and wants to make sure their needs are met in our community. The newest grant program at Berrien Community Foundation, Carolyn’s Kids, is a partnership between Carolyn Hanson and the Berrien Community Foundation that will award two $50,000 grants to programs that support the needs of children.
“The children truly are the future,” said Carolyn Hanson. “I care so much about what happens to our kids. I’m so honored, proud and humbled that I can be part of doing something to help kids.”
What started as a...
Tuesday, February 22, 2022
The Berrien Community Foundation, Hanson Family Foundation, Frederick S. Upton Foundation and Felland Fund are pooling their resources to create a $4 to $1 matching grant to help Emergency Shelter Services raise much-needed money for shelter repairs.
For every $1 the community raises, the Foundations will provide $4 up to a total of $50,000. That means a gift of $25 becomes $100 for the Love Your Shelter campaign.
“Everyone deserves to have a roof over their head. ESS plays such a vital role in Berrien County as our only family homeless...
Tuesday, February 1, 2022
Funding opportunities abound at Berrien Community Foundation for nonprofits looking to do good work across Berrien County in 2022, with several grant deadlines quickly approaching.
“There are many, many nonprofits here in Berrien County doing really great work. They not only identify community needs, they go beyond that by offering programming or projects to address those areas,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “BCF wants to partner with these organizations through funding; all they have to do is apply. We have...
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Grant applications are again available for “The Heart of Cook” Foundation Fund. “The Heart of Cook” is a grant program funded by Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant and administered by the Berrien Community Foundation to assist nonprofit programs in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana (La Porte, St. Joseph, and Elkhart Counties).
Educational projects, human services programs that support families, and environmental protection and preservation projects are the focus areas for this grant program. The grant review committee,...
Tuesday, January 18, 2022
Berrien Community Foundation announces applications are now available for the 70+ scholarships to be awarded in 2022. Applications are due March 4, 2022.
New to the scholarship lineup this year is the Jean M. Heisner Medical Technician Scholarship, Patrick Freehling Memorial Scholarship and Wilson Family Scholarship.
Mark and Jean Penwell have two scholarships now with Berrien Community Foundation after starting the Jean M. Heisner Medical Technician Scholarship this year, and both are in memory of their mothers.
“Both of our mothers were...
Wednesday, January 12, 2022
The children at St. Augustine Episcopal Church have big hearts for the homeless and those needing affordable housing.
What started out as project to provide a tiny home for someone experiencing homelessness morphed into an affordable small home rental that is managed by Harbor Habitat For Humanity. A For Good Grant from the Berrien Community Foundation along with the help of many community organizations and resources came together to make this project possible.
“There’s a lot of pride we have for these kids,” said Bruce Banghart, a...
Wednesday, December 29, 2021
When Coloma High School graduate Rodney Weir left for the University of Michigan he had no idea his experience with the local high school band would take him to the Tournament of Roses. He also didn’t know his entire educational experience would lead him to start a scholarship that would reach back and encourage others to pursue their educational goals.
This year the theme for the Tournament of Roses Parade is The Transformative Power of Education. That was definitely the case for Weir when he led the University of Michigan Marching Band as...