Latest News
Tuesday, May 11, 2021
BCF recently awarded more than $100,000 in For Good Grants to organizations as they resume programming and push to innovate themselves through the challenges COVID-19 has produced.
Inspired by their successful outdoor Acorn Anywhere! events in 2020, the Acorn Center for the Performing Arts sought funding to renovate a portion of their property into a welcoming atmosphere for live music concerts.
“This For Good Grant will make it possible for us to transform our backyard space — which hasn't been used for years — into a music venue where our...
Thursday, April 22, 2021
Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant “Heart of Cook” Earth Day Environmental Grant Committee announced the Berrien County Conservation District as the recipient of its second annual $5,000 Earth Day Environmental Grant Award.
The Heart of Cook is a corporate advised fund held by the Berrien Community Foundation that has provided over $1 million to nonprofit organizations over the last 17 years. However, unlike the traditional Heart of Cook grants that were awarded last week to 36 nonprofit organizations totaling $92,000, the new...
Thursday, April 8, 2021
Bridgman, Mich. – The Heart of Cook has awarded grants to 36 area non-profit organizations in its 2021 grant cycle, totaling $92,000. The Heart of Cook is a corporate-advised fund held by the Berrien Community Foundation.
Traditionally, Heart of Cook Grant Awards are presented in person at a grant reception hosted by the Cook Nuclear Plant’s Heart of Cook Grant Committee. However, due to the ongoing pandemic, the decision was made to once again forego the in-person reception in order to get the much-needed dollars into the hands of the...
Thursday, March 25, 2021
Creating a more accessible space to honor Berrien Township veterans is exactly how grant dollars from the Berrien Springs Area Endowment will be used.
“We gladly donated a portion of the cost to help them go ahead with the project,” said Dick Bartz, chairman of the Berrien Springs Area Endowment.
The project centers around moving the monument from its current location at the site of the former post office on the corner of Deans Hill Road and M-140 to its upcoming location across the street at the Berrien Township Hall park. The move is needed...
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
The Berrien Community Foundation sought – and won – a $60,000 grant to help in the ongoing fight against drug abuse.
BCF is one of 10 Michigan foundations to receive the Michigan Harm Reduction Project grant from the Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan. Berrien Community Foundation will partner with Carol’s Hope Crisis Intervention Center to increase access to vital, drug-addiction intervention and overdose prevention services in Berrien County.
“This grant opportunity was open only to community foundations and we want to do...
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Renaissance Enterprises’ visits were always music to the ears of residents of local senior care facilities, but their presence became even sweeter as the audience experienced increased isolation due to COVID-19 restrictions.
“We’ve been doing everything we can to get programming to them,” said Bob Rowe, Renaissance Enterprises’ executive director. “It’s not been easy.”
But their dedication is what fueled the desire to innovate how they deliver their services.
“So many of them have no one to visit them, so the programs are a real...
Monday, February 8, 2021
In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day in 2020, Cook Nuclear Plant’s Heart of Cook Foundation launched a new grant program targeting projects that benefit the environment or raise environmental awareness. Once again, The Heart of Cook is offering another 2021 Earth Day Environmental Grant for up to $5,000 to support organizations planning to execute an environmental project.
The Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor was recipient of the Heart of Cook’s first-ever Earth Day Environmental Grant for $5,000 last year. Their project...
Friday, February 5, 2021
Recognizing local nonprofits still have a need for financial assistance to cover operational demands in light of the continuing COVID-19 pandemic, the Berrien Community Foundation is continuing For Ever Sustainability Grants in 2021.
“Many of our nonprofits are still struggling to keep the lights on as they weather the effects of the pandemic,” said BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “Fundraising events are still on hold and many organizations remain in survival mode. We felt it was important to adjust our grantmaking focus to help nonprofits...
Friday, February 5, 2021
The Berrien Community Foundation announces the recent hire of Bridgman native Kelly Gampel for the role of Communications Associate.
“We are happy to have Kelly join our team in this new position,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “Her experience will help us better serve the community by keeping people more informed.”
Gampel began her award-winning career at The Index in Homer, Michigan, working as the news editor after earning her bachelor’s degree in journalism from Cornerstone University.
“I’ve always been...
Friday, February 5, 2021
The Berrien Community Foundation announces the 2021 round of scholarship applications are now available. Last year the Foundation awarded almost $250,000 in scholarships and will be adding three new opportunities for students this year. The deadline to apply is March 5, 2021.
“Thanks to our generous donors, the BCF Scholarship program is growing and allowing us to help more and more students get the education they need to pursue their dreams,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey.
The three new scholarships provide...