Grant applications are now available from The Heart of Cook Foundation, with a deadline of June 9.
The Heart of Cook is a grant program funded by Cook Nuclear Plant, part of Indiana Michigan Power (I&M), and administered by Berrien Community Foundation to assist nonprofit programs within service territories of Southwest Michigan (Berrien, Cass and St. Joseph counties) and Northwest Indiana (La Porte, St. Joseph and Elkhart counties).
Environmental protection and preservation, human services, and educational projects are the focus areas of this grant program. The grant review committee, comprised of Cook Nuclear Plant employees, gives special consideration to projects that involve Indiana Michigan Power employees. Organizations must have 501(c)(3) tax-exempt or equivalent status to qualify for funding.
“The Heart of Cook Grant program has always been important in helping sustain many of our community’s nonprofits,” said Bill Downey, chair of the employee advisory committee for The Heart of Cook. “There are so many pressing issues, we need to do all we can to support the organizations that provide so much for those in need.”
Kelly Ferneau, AEP’s executive vice president and chief nuclear officer, agreed.
“It’s very important for the Cook Plant to be a good partner to the community in a way that goes beyond providing safe, clean, reliable electricity,” Ferneau said. “The Heart of Cook program got its name because of the deep and personal commitment each of our employees has for the place they call home. The grants the program provides are just one small way we show our heart is always in the right place.”
Grant applications and guidelines are available online at Berrien Community Foundation's website, www.berriencommunity.org/HOC. All grant applications must be submitted electronically through the Berrien Community Foundation’s website. Grant applications are due June 9. Winners will be being notified in late August and a reception will be held in September. Agencies that have received funding for three consecutive years will not be eligible to apply during this grant cycle.
Cook Nuclear Plant is owned and operated by Indiana Michigan Power, an American Electric Power company, headquartered in Fort Wayne, IN. At full capacity, the 1,084-net MW Unit 1, and 1,194-net MW Unit 2 combined produce enough emission-free electricity for more than one and one half million average homes. I&M’s approximately 2,000 employees serve more than 600,000 customers. More than 85% of its total energy delivered in 2023 was emission-free. I&M has at its availability various sources of generation including 2,278 MW of nuclear generation in Michigan, 450 MW of purchased wind generation from Indiana, more than 22 MW of hydro generation in both states and approximately 35 MW of large-scale solar generation in both states. The company’s generation portfolio also includes 1,497 MW of coal-fueled generation in Indiana. For more information, visit www.indianamichiganpower.com or www.cookinfo.com.
The goal of the Berrien Community Foundation is to connect needs with resources in our community. Working with individuals, corporations and other foundations, BCF creates endowments and other funds that support the ever-changing needs of Berrien County now and into the future. BCF’s Community Endowment, field of interest funds, and donor advised funds have provided funding to support a wide variety of services and agencies for more than 70 years. For more information on Berrien Community Foundation and how you can create your own legacy of giving, visit our website at www.BerrienCommunity.org or call (269) 983-3304.
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