Latest News
Friday, September 23, 2022
With some ‘70s flair, Berrien Community Foundation awarded $230,000 in grants at their 70th Annual Meeting & Celebration September 21 at The Mendel Center’s Grand Upton Hall.
“It was so good to be able to be together again to celebrate BCF’s 70th year and to recognize the work of so many community partners,” said BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “It is such a privilege to be able to be a part of the great work that is done in Berrien County.”
At the event, BCF gave five major awards including one new to 2022 – The Carolyn’s Kids Grant. ...
Wednesday, September 14, 2022
Berrien Community Foundation has increased the amount awarded through the For Good Grant program to $15,000 per grant to local nonprofits. Applications are due September 30, 2022.
“The maximum grant amount had been set at $10,000 for several years,” said BCF President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “Our volunteers review grant applications, and we see the needs increasing. It really made sense to give our volunteers the opportunity to give more to help our nonprofits succeed as they do work in the community.”
The For Good Major Grant was increased to...
Thursday, September 1, 2022
Eighteen teachers are heading back to their classrooms knowing Berrien Community Foundation is helping fund their special projects through Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants.
Adding a new skeleton to the classroom, athletic equipment for recess and maple syrup tree-tapping kits are just a few of the projects and supplies teachers sought funding for in the latest cycle of the Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants at Berrien Community Foundation. This grant opportunity — which is offered twice per year — awards up to $500 to teachers across Berrien...
Friday, August 26, 2022
The Berrien Community Foundation is the home of many funding sources for area nonprofit organizations. But sometimes the number of deadlines and opportunities can get confusing. To help clear up the process and keep Berrien County nonprofit organizations informed, Berrien Community Foundation is offering a series of five meetings to provide information on funding opportunities and answer questions. The meetings are being held throughout Berrien County and nonprofit representatives can attend whatever meeting is the most convenient for them...
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Berrien Community Foundation is helping college-bound students mark major life milestones by awarding $368,000 in scholarships this year.
Berrien Community Foundation awarded scholarships at its annual Scholarship Celebration June 16 at Grand Upton Hall at Lake Michigan College. This year’s theme, “Milestones on the Road of Life,” celebrates the next step in many students’ lives: going off to college. The Foundation awards scholarships to high school seniors, adults returning to the classroom and current college students.
“For some students, a...
Thursday, June 30, 2022
Berrien Community Foundation announces New Buffalo Recreational Authority as the 2022 winner of the William J. Deputy Grant. The winning project takes aim at quenching the thirst of the thousands of people who enjoy New Buffalo’s many recreational outlets.
“One of the needs we saw recurring on various improvement surveys was the desire for hydration stations,” said Pano Arvanitis, treasurer for the New Buffalo Recreational Authority. “There really aren’t many public water facilities in the area, but yet water is vital for bikers, hikers and...
Monday, June 27, 2022
Berrien Community Foundation is giving a boost in funding to nonprofits across Berrien County through For Good Grants to help them continue doing Good work locally.
Mosaic CCDA and the Box Factory have each earned a portion of the $116,000 awarded through BCF’s For Good Grants this cycle; A For Good Grant will help send 10 people through Mosaic’s Job Training Institute to learn skills to be successful in the workplace, and Berrien Artist Guild at the Box Factory to support a performing arts collaboration.
“The For Good Grant has been...
Monday, June 13, 2022
The Heart of Cook has awarded grants to 29 area nonprofit organizations, totaling $78,561 at a grant reception at Indiana Michigan Power’s Cook Nuclear Plant on June 9. The Heart of Cook is a corporate-advised fund held by the Berrien Community Foundation.
“It certainly was great having the opportunity to personally hand out these grant awards after a two-year break from our in-person receptions,” said American Electric Power’s Senior Vice President & Chief Nuclear Officer Joel Gebbie. “The people working for these incredibly important...
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...