Funding opportunities abound at Berrien Community Foundation for nonprofits looking to do good work across Berrien County in 2022, with several grant deadlines quickly approaching.
“There are many, many nonprofits here in Berrien County doing really great work. They not only identify community needs, they go beyond that by offering programming or projects to address those areas,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “BCF wants to partner with these organizations through funding; all they have to do is apply. We have hundreds of thousands of dollars to be awarded in the first quarter alone!”
Eligible organizations may apply to and receive funding from more than one grant opportunity throughout the year. Upcoming grant deadlines include:
- February 14 — Heart of Cook Grants have three primary funding areas for projects: furthering education, supporting human services and preserving the environment. Grants are available in amounts up to $10,000.
- February 15 — Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants are awarded to teachers to help fund special projects or programs in their classroom. Grants are available in amounts up to $500.
- February 25 — For Good Grants are awarded to groups to help fund a project or program that serves the community. Grants are available in amounts up to $10,000.
- March 14 — Heart of Cook Earth Day Grants have a special focus on projects that benefit the environment or raise environmental awareness. Special consideration is given for projects that have STEM involvement or can demonstrate a lasting sustainability component or supports ground water sustainability/protecting water sources. A grant will be made for up to $5,000.
- March 15 — Frederick S. Upton Foundation considers grant requests from a wide variety of nonprofit organizations but focuses its efforts in Berrien County. The Berrien Community Foundation must be contacted to receive an application.
Scholarship applications are also due in the first quarter — by March 4, 2022. BCF will award more than 70 scholarships to graduating high school seniors and adults returning to the classroom in 2022. BCF offers many scholarships that cover a broad range of career paths: From STEM to agriculture to the arts and to the trades. BCF Program Director Susan Matheny will host a live webinar at 7 p.m. on Thursday, February 3 to guide applicants along the process for a question-and-answer style session. To register for the event, visit www.berriencommunity.org/show-me-the-money-scholarships. For more information on scholarships or to download applications, visit www.berriencommunity.org/scholar.
All applications or additional information on each grant can be accessed at www.berriencommunity.org/grants. Eligible applicants for most grant opportunities must be a 501c3 nonprofit organization, school, religious organization doing community work or a government organization serving Berrien County.
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