Berrien Community Foundation For Good Grants invest in children and families across Berrien County

Berrien Community Foundation (BCF) recently awarded more than $145,000 in For Good Grants to Berrien County nonprofits, with a strong focus on programs that support children and families across the county. And BCF is looking to do it again as the foundation is now accepting applications for the final round of 2025.

“Families are at the heart of our community,” said Susan Matheny, BCF program director. “This round of For Good Grants invests in programs that give kids opportunities to learn, grow and be supported while also giving parents and caregivers the resources that they need. Thanks to the additional generosity of our donor advised fund holders, we were able to fulfill even more requests and further our impact in the community.”

Highlights of the family- and kid-focused grants include:

  • Acorn Center for the Performing Arts – bringing the “JazzReach” residency into River Valley schools.
  • American Diabetes Association – providing summer camp experiences for children to learn healthy lifestyle and diabetes management skills.
  • Benton Harbor Arts Association – supporting the Benton Harbor Children’s Art Fair, helping young artists showcase creativity.
  • Cornerstone Alliance/Women’s Business Center – equipping women entrepreneurs — many of them parents — with mentorship and resources to build family-sustaining businesses.
  • Feeding America West Michigan – supporting families through mobile food pantries with fresh fruits and vegetables.
  • Logan Community Resources – offering summer programming for children with intellectual and developmental challenges.
  • Present Pillars – providing young adults with the resources needed to obtain a driver’s license.
  • Readiness Center – strengthening early learning programs for children and families in Benton Harbor.
  • Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra – supporting the annual Education Concert for third- and fourth-grade students from across Berrien County. 

While For Good Grants are awarded twice a year, nonprofits may only receive one For Good Grant per calendar year. Nonprofits are encouraged to explore all grant opportunities offered by Berrien Community Foundation. For more information on BCF grants, visit www.berriencommunity.org/grants.

All For Good Grant applications are reviewed by community volunteers and T.E.A.M. (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds), the youth advisory committee for BCF. Grant requests cover a broad range of community needs including the arts, children, community development, education, environment, health, seniors, and youth leadership and development. In addition, BCF partners with donor advised fund holders to meet funding requests.

In addition to the grants listed above, the following grants were also awarded:

  • Buchanan Area Senior Center – replacing and repairing deteriorating equipment in the fitness room.
  • City of Watervliet – purchasing and constructing additional features at Hays Park.
  • Community Healing Centers – supporting critical recovery services for those struggling with substance use and co-occurring disorders in Berrien County.
  • Eau Claire District Library – supporting the Learn the Basics programming.
  • Lake Charter Township – supporting the creation of the John W. Gast Memorial Trail.
  • North Berrien Historical Society – assisting with covering the cost of the historical society’s annual Holiday Open House.
  • Performing Arts Workshops (PAW), Inc. – providing scholarships for student performers.
  • Protect All Children from Trafficking (PACT) – providing the Youth Against Child Trafficking program to youth at the Berrien County Juvenile Center.
  • Ready for School – supporting the Reach Out and Read program at the InterCare Clinics in Benton Harbor and Eau Claire.
  • Ronald McDonald House Charities of Michiana – providing support for the Complete Meal Care project for families of sick and injured children.
  • The Avenue Family Network – funding the purchase of new computers and enhanced software to ensure effective and secure services.
  • Therapeutic Equestrian Center – replacing worn hardware and lumber to improve the condition of two sliding barn doors.
  • Weesaw Township Fire Department – funding the purchase of fire protection hoods for firefighters.

There are two grant cycles of the For Good Grants every year. Applications for the next round are due October 8, 2025. To learn more about For Good Grants, visit www.berriencommunity.org/forgood.