Berrien Community Foundation Inc - Grant Information & Application Details

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $6,757,625 (2023)
Total Assets: Over $100 million (surpassed in 2024)
Decision Time: 1-4 months (varies by program)
Grant Range: $100 - $75,000
Geographic Focus: Berrien County, Michigan

Contact Details

Address: 2900 S. State St, Suite 2E, Saint Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-3304
Website: www.berriencommunity.org
Email: Available through online contact form
Social Media: @BerrienCommunityFoundation (Facebook/Instagram)

For grant inquiries, contact Sharnae Hudson, Grants & Scholarships Coordinator, or Susan Matheny, Program Director.

Overview

Founded in 1952 by William Vawter and concerned local businesspeople, Berrien Community Foundation is a pillar of Berrien County philanthropy. In 2024, the foundation surpassed $100 million in total assets, marking a significant milestone in its 72-year history. With annual giving of approximately $6.76 million, BCF connects donors with causes that strengthen Southwest Michigan communities. The foundation operates under the mission "to connect the power of people who care with causes and organizations that strengthen our communities" and maintains core values of caring, integrity, excellence, inclusiveness, and leadership. BCF is compliant with National Standards for U.S. Community Foundations. President Lisa Cripps-Downey describes leading the foundation as "the best job EVER!" and emphasizes that "the nonprofit sector makes all of our lives so much better."

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

For Good Grants (Rolling - Two cycles annually)

For Good Major: Up to $15,000
For Good Minor: Up to $1,500
Application deadlines: March 1 and August 1
Online application through portal

Frederick S. Upton Foundation Big Idea Grant (Fixed deadline)

One grant of $50,000 and one of $25,000
Letter of intent due April 1
Supports innovative programming and new ideas

Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant (Fixed deadline)

$75,000 paid over three years
Letter of intent due May 1
Focuses on nonprofit employee sustainability
Award announced at annual meeting in October

Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant (Fixed deadline)

$50,000 annual grant
Letter of intent due June 1
Award announced in September

Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants (Rolling)

Up to $500 for teachers
Deadlines: June 1 and October 1
Supports classroom projects and needs

Heart of Cook Grants (For organizations serving SW Michigan and NW Indiana)

Mini Grants: $100-$500
Standard Grants: $501-$10,000
Decisions announced in late August

Frederick S. Upton Foundation Grants (Rolling)

Deadlines: March 15, June 15, October 15
Amounts vary

Priority Areas

Arts & Culture
Children & Youth Development
Community Improvement
Education & Lifelong Learning
Environment
Health (Physical & Mental)
Seniors
Youth Leadership
Essential services and access

What They Don't Fund

Specific exclusions are not detailed on their website. Organizations should contact BCF directly to discuss project eligibility.

Governance and Leadership

Board of Directors (2024-2025)

Philip Maki, Chair
Sarah Jollay, Vice Chair
Ray Lipscomb, Secretary
Alexis Harris, Treasurer
Gloria Ender
Kelly Ferneau
John Guinness
Carolyn Hanson
Christina Hardy
Elizabeth McCree
Philip Molloy
Thomas Nelson
Karen Ytterberg

Staff Leadership

Lisa Cripps-Downey, President
Susan Matheny, Program Director
Morgan Callahan, Finance Director
Kelly Gampel, Communications Manager
Sharnae Hudson, Grants & Scholarships Coordinator
Maureen Bradford, Special Projects
Tanya Hagen, Office Administrator
Greg Brenner, Finance Associate
Pam Dolezan, Finance Associate

Leadership Perspective

President Lisa Cripps-Downey emphasizes the foundation's role as "this savings account we create" for the community. On scholarships, she notes: "A scholarship is not just a financial gift – it's an investment in a student's potential." She has led initiatives addressing food insecurity, noting that one in six Berrien County residents is food insecure.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

For Good Grants:

Create an account at the BCF grants portal (register as an organization, not individual)
Complete online application form
Major grants require: grant signature form, Tax ID number, most recent financial statements, most recent IRS Form 990, list of board members, current year operating budget
Minor grants have a shorter, simpler form
Project start dates should be at least 2 months after application deadline

Big Idea Grant and Other Large Grants:

Submit Letter of Intent by specified deadline
Selected applicants invited to submit full application
Finalists present to board

Application Portal: https://goapply2.akoyago.com/BERRIEN/

Decision Timeline

For Good Grants:

Applications due March 1 and August 1
Decision timeline not explicitly stated but typically follows within 1-3 months

Big Idea Grant:

Letter of intent due April 1
Top picks present to board in early July
Approximately 3-month process

Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant:

Letter of intent due June 1
Award announced in September
Approximately 3-month process

Heart of Cook Grants:

Decisions announced in late August
Grants distributed at September reception

Monday Musical Club Grants:

Application deadline January 31
Awards by March 1
One-month decision period

Success Rates

In recent grant cycles, BCF funded 40+ projects through For Good Grants alone. The foundation awarded $239,500 in For Good Grants in the most recent cycle to 28 organizations. Success rates vary by program, but the foundation demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting diverse community initiatives across Berrien County.

Reapplication Policy

For Good Grants:

Organizations may receive one For Good Grant per calendar year
Organizations awarded grants for three consecutive years must take a year off from applying
No specific policy stated for unsuccessful applicants - they may reapply in subsequent cycles

Application Success Factors

BCF's Specific Advice

1. "Plans get funded, ideas do not" This is a key adage at BCF. Applicants must thoroughly flesh out all project details before applying. The foundation wants to see detailed, actionable plans rather than conceptual ideas.

2. Follow directions meticulously Respect word count limits precisely. If the application says "250 words or less," don't submit a 2-page document. This demonstrates attention to detail and respect for the review process.

3. Complete every section Never leave questions blank. If a question doesn't apply to your project, explain why. This shows thoroughness.

4. Show leverage BCF is "most interested in funding programs that provide leverage for generating other funds or resources." Demonstrate how their investment will catalyze additional support.

5. Start early and ask questions Applications are available 2+ months before deadlines. BCF encourages questions early in the process when staff can provide meaningful help, not hours before submission.

6. Quality documentation matters Use scanned PDFs, not phone pictures of documents. BCF recommends the "Genius Scan" app for creating high-quality document scans.

7. Proofread thoroughly Have someone outside your organization read your application to catch typos, missing words, and unclear writing. "If they don't get it, neither will we," BCF notes.

8. Get all signatures Double-check that all required signatures are in place and in the correct locations.

Recently Funded Project Examples

Understanding what BCF funds helps applicants align their proposals:

Education & Youth:

Boys & Girls Clubs: STEAM Day expansion
Bridgman Public Schools: Student Success Project with school-based social work and suicide prevention
Junior Achievement: Financial literacy programming in Berrien County schools
Harbor Country Rotary: Elementary literacy support

Health & Human Services:

Corewell Health Foundation: Behavioral Health Unit renovation for mental health care
EliStrong Foundation: Family grants for pediatric cancer support
Ferry Street Resource Center: Emergency assistance and life-planning coaching

Community Development:

Disability Network Southwest Michigan: Ramp Up program for home accessibility
Greater Bridgman Area Chamber: Armed Forces-themed playground with educational elements
Neighbor By Neighbor: "Help to Home" program for senior citizens (Golden Acorn Award winner)

Arts & Innovation:

Lake Michigan College: Digital scenery for theatrical productions
School of American Music: Intergenerational music project
Tarragindi Initiative: Archaeological dig at historic jail site

What Makes Applications Stand Out

Based on BCF's funded projects and stated priorities, successful applications:

Address real community needs with measurable impact
Support vulnerable populations (youth, seniors, low-income families)
Demonstrate innovation while being grounded in practical execution
Show collaboration or partnership potential
Align with BCF's strategic focus areas
Include clear budgets and realistic timelines
Demonstrate organizational capacity to execute

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Detail is critical: BCF's mantra "plans get funded, ideas do not" means your application must be fully thought-through with specific implementation steps, not just a good concept.
Leverage matters: Show how BCF's investment will generate additional resources or funding. They want their grants to have multiplier effects.
Geographic focus is strict: Your project must serve Berrien County residents. BCF is deeply committed to local impact.
Timing is strategic: With multiple grant programs and different deadlines, choose the program that best fits your project size and timeline. Larger, innovative projects may be better suited for Big Idea or specialty grants rather than For Good.
Three-year rule: If you've received For Good Grants three years running, you must skip a year. Plan accordingly and consider other grant programs during your "off" year.
Relationships are valuable: BCF staff actively encourage questions and provide support. Contact them early at (269) 983-3304 – don't wait until the deadline.
Quality and professionalism matter: From document scanning to proofreading to signatures, attention to detail signals organizational competence and respect for the process.

References

Berrien Community Foundation Official Website - Grant Programs: https://www.berriencommunity.org/grants (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - For Good Grants: https://www.berriencommunity.org/ForGood (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - Grant Writing Tips: https://www.berriencommunity.org/grant-writing-tips (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - Who We Are: https://www.berriencommunity.org/mission (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - Staff Directory: https://www.berriencommunity.org/staff (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - Board of Directors: https://www.berriencommunity.org/board-directors (accessed January 2026)
Berrien Community Foundation - Frederick S. Upton Foundation Big Idea Grant: https://www.berriencommunity.org/UptonBigIdea (accessed January 2026)
"BCF Awards $269,000 in Grants at 2024 Annual Celebration," Berrien Community Foundation News (2024)
"Berrien Community Foundation announces nearly $240,000 in For Good Grants," News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM, January 4, 2026
"Berrien Community Foundation going strong headed into 2025," News/Talk/Sports 94.9 WSJM, December 29, 2024
"Berrien Community Foundation Executive Director Lisa Cripps-Downey is focused on family, community development," Michiana Life, April 2017
Charity Navigator Profile - Berrien Community Foundation Inc. (EIN 38-6057160)
CauseIQ Organization Profile - Berrien Community Foundation
ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - Berrien Community Foundation Inc. (EIN 38-6057160)