Confirmed in Compliance with National Standards

for U.S. Community Foundations

Foundation Staff

Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, leads our team of professional staff members who carry out activities on behalf of our communities to achieve the Foundation's mission to enhance the quality of life and build a spirit of community in Berrien County. In addition to full-time employees Nanette Keiser and Anne Mc Causland, Program Director, our Administrative Assistant is in a part-time position that completes the team in providing high quality services to donors, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, and our community partners. The Foundation also relies heavily on volunteers who serve on various committees.

History

The Berrien Community Foundation was established in 1952 by William Vawter and a group of concerned business people, much like the rest of the community foundation movement that started in the Midwest. The Foundation is an innovative means by which concerned citizens could put charitable dollars to work for the benefit of Berrien County residents.

The Foundation is a union of numerous gifts, bequests, and other contributions that form permanent endowments and other funds. The spendable portion of the Foundation's endowments is used to make grants to qualified agencies and institutions serving the residents of Berrien County. Grants from donor advised funds may be distributed anywhere in the United States. The Foundation responds to emerging community needs by funding programs that enhance the quality of life. Since 1952, the philanthropic dollars committed to the Foundation have touched every community in Berrien County.

The Foundation also continues to offer a wide variety of charitable giving opportunities that can help any concerned individual invest in the future of our area and beyond. From totally undesignated funds to organizational funds (e.g., nonprofits, schools) to personalized donor advised funds, prospective donors can shape gift agreements to meet both their financial objectives and charitable aspirations. For more information about the role the Community Foundation can play as a partner in your philanthropy, please call the Foundation office at 269-983-3486. Our hours are 8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m., Monday-Friday, appointments much appreciated.

Organizational Governance and Financial Activities Information

The Foundation strives to be as transparent as possible, while honoring donor privacy where needed. The following information is related to the Foundation's governance and financial activities. For additional information on any of these items, please contact Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, 269-983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@BerrienCommunity.org.

To view, print, and/or download a copy of any of the items, click on the link below.

*  Audited Financial Statements  (pdf)

These statements cover the Foundation's financial activities from January 1-December 31, 2009. The unqualified opinion letter provided by our auditors, Schaffer & Layher, LLP, the statement of financial position, and the statement of  financial activities are included.

*  990 for Year Ending 2009 (pdf)

This is the current federal tax return provided to the IRS.

*  Articles of Incorporation (pdf)

*  Bylaws (pdf)

These are the governance documents.

*  Conflicts of Interest Policy (pdf)

*  1023/1024 Application Equivalent (pdf)

Recently the IRS required that a nonprofit organization make available its original application (i.e., 1023/1024) for nonprofit status. When the Foundation went through this process in the 1950s, this form didn't exist. We have provided the equivalent supplied to the Foundation by the IRS when we made this request. 

Latest Community Report--Celebrating 55 Years

We are honored to present our report to our communities, which we produce every few years or so. We believe our founders, including William Vawter, would be very pleased with all that we've accomplished together to build a spirit of community throughout Berrien County. This report covers the Foundation's activities through June 2007.  For additional information, please contact Nanette Keiser, Ed.D., President, 269-983-3486 or NanetteKeiser@BerrienCommunity.org.

We post our most current news and activities on this web site (e.g., In the News, Recent Grants, Special Projects & Partnerships, etc.)

To view, print, and/or download a copy, click on the link below.

2007 Community Report (pdf)

A Snapshot of Developments in 2009

• Building permanent endowments and other funds, providing a broad range of flexible and cost-effective donor services (232 and growing no. of funds, Gifts of $2.16 million in 2009), and adding several members to our Legacy Society. 
• Investing and managing funds prudently and professionally ($20 million under management), reaching out to professional advisors through educational services, and providing financial services for the Southwestern Michigan Estate Planning Council
• Providing grants to support a broad range of projects and programs with an emphasis on building a spirit of community/arts & culture, nurturing our children, and youth development and leadership ($1.9 million in 2009).  
• Serving as a leader, catalyst, and resource for our communities via many collaborations including the GED/Literacy Community Project through Heartland Alliance's Opportunity Center, Lakeland's Community Room, Lake Michigan College's Leadership Academy, Southwest Michigan 2-1-1, Sustaining the Future:  The Planned Giving Education Program of Berrien County, Southwestern MI Estate Planning Council, Volunteer Center of SW MI, and Women's Business Center, among others.

Greg Vaughn, 2007-2009 Board Chair

at BCF's 57th Annual Celebration in 2009