Berrien Community Foundation Archives

Today we spoke with Lisa Cripps-Downey, BCF President and Sarah Jollay, BCF Board Vice Chair about grants, scholarships and volunteering.... [Read Full Story]

Today we spoke with Bill Downey, Communications Manager at Cook Nuclear Plant and Chair of The Heart of Cook Grant Programs.... [Read Full Story]

Today we spoke with BCF Scholarship Coordinator, Noah Hayden about available scholarships and how you can apply.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation speaks with Joelle Wake of the Lincoln Township Library about their “Library of Things” program, how it came to be with the help of a For Good Grant, and how people can check out items from the service. To find out more about how a grant could help your organization, see berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation looks ahead to the new year of giving and a need that is urgently needing to be met in the community at Brookview Montessori School. Larry Schanker explains the building repairs needed to help the Childcare area and how the community can help at brookviewschool.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation talks with Kristina Knezic of the Berrien Springs Community Library about their For Good Grant project to expand their “launch pad” program for the community’s children. Find out how a For Good Grant could help your community at berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation is joined by Christine Vanlandingham of the Region VI Area Agency on Aging to talk about the importance of the Senior Care Kits program and how people in our area benefit, and can participate as volunteers. You can sign up to volunteer at https://volunteer.uwsm.org/need/detail/?need_id=754423.... [Read Full Story]

Susan Matheny from Berrien Community Foundation talks about For Good Grants with Zack along with Gabrielle Engle of Mosaic CCDA, the Job Training Institute Program, and more about how other non-profits can use For Good Grants to do work in the community that matters as well. Find out more at BerrienCommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan Matheny from Berrien Community Foundation talks about For Good Grants with Zack along with Stephanie Kohler-Pagan of Lory’s Place, the work that they do, and more about how other non-profits can use For Good Grants to do work in the community that matters as well. Find out more at BerrienCommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation tells us about this year’s Senior Care Kits program, and how you can volunteer to assist with this community impact project. Sign up and get more details at berriencommunity.org!... [Read Full Story]

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation has details on the upcoming grantmaking going on at BCF, plus how your organization can apply easily at berriencommunity.org, or how you can become a valued volunteer to help review scholarships and grant applications.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation welcomes BCF Golden Acorn Volunteer of the Year Award Winner Diane Young of Benton Harbor to discuss what volunteerism means to her, and more about the projects she is currently involved in at Sisters From Another Mother. See how you can get involved in the community by volunteering with BCF at berriencommunity.org!... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation welcomes James Gunter of Present Pillars, the recipient of this year’s Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant to talk about what the organization does for the community, and what kind of programming they plan to do with their grant award dollars. To see the 2023 grant opportunities like this for your non-profit, visit berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation welcomes Martha Thieneman from the Readiness Center, one of two winners of this year’s “Carolyn’s Kids” grant, to talk about their plans to use the funds in our community to improve outcomes for children in our area. To find out how your non-profit can apply for grants like this in 2023, visit berriencommunity.org/grants.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation talks about the Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant and welcomes Mary Jo Schnell of the OutCenter of Southwest Michigan, the 2022 recipient of this year’s $75,000 grant. The organization plans to use the funds to hire a Development Coordinator and sustain fundraising for programs for the future. Find out about other grant programs and apply now at berriencommunity.org/grants.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation tells us about the results of last week’s amazing 70th Annual Meeting & Celebration where several community organizations were awarded grants for their local projects and initiatives thanks to generous BCF programs and their donors. See more and how you can start your own fund at berriencommnunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

The Coast Social Network is brought to you by The Mason Jar Cafe! In the Heart of the Benton Harbor Arts District. Local, Organic, Farm Fresh!... [Read Full Story]

Lisa Cripps-Downey from Berrien Community Foundation explains a bit about the upcoming BCF events on the calendar, and how you can learn more about donating “non-traditional assets” to create a charitable legacy. Visit berriencommunity.org to reach out and get started!... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack to chat with Kathy Hollacher from Countryside Academy about her Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grant, and how other education professionals in the county can apply for this great grant opportunity anytime within the year. Get details at berriencommunity.org/gaclassroom.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack to recap a busy summer of community support with plenty to celebrate in the Fall and beyond as BCF looks forward to their 70th Anniversary in October! Visit berriencommunity.org for details.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack to speak to Lindsay Salmon about her membership in the TEAM Program at BCF and how other students in the county can join this great service-focused program. Find more details at berriencommunity.org!... [Read Full Story]

Lisa Cripps-Downey from Berrien Community Foundation talks with Jonny Reinhardt about Backpack for Good and why they do that event for communities in our area. One of the reasons is the growing needs in our population.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack to talk about the roots of volunteer involvement in BCF’s beginning and how volunteers continue to help the organization with important events like Backpacks for Good. If you’d like to help or be part of any committees or other opportunities, call 269-983-3304 or go to berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Zack talks with Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation and Rodney Alexander from the Benton Harbor Impact Foundation about his organization’s Big Idea Grant for $50,000 and how they’ll be using this money to bring the community together. Find out how your non-profit can get access to grand opportunities at berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation discusses the upcoming annual Backpacks for Good events happening in August in the Niles, Benton Harbor, and Coloma/Watervliet areas. Get more details on volunteering and pick-up at berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Lisa from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack alongside Ashley Hines from the Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation, winner of the $25,000 Big Idea Grant, to discuss their garden project and how you can help. Contact Berrien Community Foundation at berriencommunity.org to find out more about great grant opportunities like this!... [Read Full Story]

Lisa Cripps-Downey and Bob Harrison from the Berrien Community Foundation discuss what a community foundation does compared to a private foundation, and the importance of charitable legacies and volunteer involvement. Get more information at berriencommunity.org.... [Read Full Story]

Susan from Berrien Community Foundation joins Zack to speak to Michelle Hannon with the New Buffalo Area Recreation Authority about the William J. Deputy Grant. You, too, can establish your own legacy fund to make a lasting impact in a Berrien County community like Bill Deputy. Reach out to Berrien Community Foundation at berriencommunity.org for details!... [Read Full Story]