A major new round of grants to the community of Michigan’s Great Southwest will support everything from environmental projects in Harbor Country to the rebuilding of school music programs in Eau Claire.
The Berrien Community Foundation has awarded “For Good” Grants of more than $117,000 to 24 nonprofit organizations across Berrien County. Lisa Cripps-Downey is President of the Berrien Community Foundation. She says, “This round of “For Good” Grants was particularly diverse.” She adds, “We could really see the needs throughout our county and respond. We are so thankful for the philanthropic gifts made to the Community Endowment held at the Berrien Community Foundation which allows us to provide that community support.”
Grants were made to organizations throughout Berrien County, supporting everything from environmental projects in Harbor Country to rebuilding school music programs in Eau Claire. Additionally, there were grants for library renovations in Niles, a literacy program in Benton Harbor and a suicide prevention initiative in Coloma.
Community members make grant decisions. As Cripps-Downey notes, “It is the community’s foundation.” She adds, “Volunteers are reading and reviewing grants. That is one of the reasons it is so important for us to have volunteers from all over Berrien County. We also have a youth grant making committee making grant decisions for youth centered programs. We try to get students from each school district to represent their area.”
Smaller organizations took the opportunity to apply for the new and easier “For Good” Minor grants of up to $1,000 to support smaller projects. The second round of “For Good” grant applications are due by September 10th and can be found on the Berrien Community Foundation website at www.berriencommunity.org.
“For Good” Minor Grants totaled $6,325. The recipients include:
- Girls on the Run of Southwest Michigan to support Camp GOTR Scholarships
- Coloma Community Schools for Junior High Suicide Prevention Program
- African American History and Literature Gallery for their Community Clean Up Project
- Boy Scout Troop 570 to support Project Pan Handle
- Southshore Concert Band for the Fall/Halloween Concert
- SW MI Human Trafficking Task Force for the Planting Hopes Victim’s Service Directory
- Watervliet Free Methodist Church for the Safety First Quest
“For Good” Major Grants totaled $111,575. The recipients were:
- 100 Women Strong for Emergency Financial Assistance to Berrien County Women
- Berrien County Council for Children for the Child Abuse Prevention Education Program
- Berrien County Youth Fair Association to fund a Sanitary Sewer Study
- Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor for the Summer Literacy Program
- Chikaming Township to support the Cherry Beach Preservation and Expansion Project
- Children’s Music Workshop to support new equipment for theatrical productions
- Cornerstone Alliance to fund the 2019 Mini Maker Faire
- Eau Claire Public Schools to support the Music Program
- Friends of the Harbor Country Trails to support a Trail Path on the Marquette Greenway
- Grace Christian Schools to fund a new Safe Stage
- Humane Society of Southwestern Michigan for the Animal Rescue and Re-homing Program
- LOGAN Community Resources to purchase Window Blinds to Aid Sensory Needs
- Mosaic Christian Community Development for the Jobs for Life Program
- Niles District Library to renovate unused space for a Community Center at the Library
- Southwest MI Symphony Orchestra to support the production of the musical In The Heights
- St. Augustine of Canterbury Episcopal Church to support the Community Food Pantry
- YMCA to support the Benton Harbor Summer Impact Program
The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 as an innovative means by which any concerned individual could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County and beyond. For more information about the Foundation call 983-3486 or visit www.berriencommunity.org.
