Berrien Community Foundation

10/15/2026

Carolyn Hanson awarded a second $50,000 Carolyn's Kids grant to Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan at our Annual Meeting & Celebration!

Carolyn's Kids supports programs that help children learn, grow, and thrive, from enhancing educational experiences and supporting well-being to preparing young people for a bright future.

For Corewell Health Foundation, that means purchasing equipment that allows non-verbal children to communicate with family, peers and healthcare providers.

Congratulations!

10/14/2026

A big moment from BCF's Annual Meeting & Celebration was awarding a $50,000 Carolyn's Kids grant to Children's Music Workshop - CMW!

Carolyn's Kids supports programs that help children learn, grow and thrive, from enhancing educational experiences and supporting well-being to preparing young people for a bright future.

For Children's Music Workshop, that means expanding arts education opportunities and working toward a dedicated facility so more young people can experience the performing arts and develop new skills.

Congratulations!

10/13/2026

Another big moment from BCF's Annual Meeting & Celebration was awarding the $50,000 Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant to Mosaic CCDA!

The Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant recognizes organizations that are tackling important community needs and making a lasting difference in the lives of Berrien County residents.

For Mosaic, that means expanding its Resource Wednesdays and Feel Good Fridge program to help more neighbors access fresh food and other essential resources close to home.

Congratulations!

10/12/2026

One of the big moments from BCF's Annual Meeting & Celebration was awarding the $75,000 Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant to Water Street Glassworks!

Rather than funding a specific program, the Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant gives organizations the chance to invest in themselves and what they'll need to thrive for years to come.

For Water Street Glassworks, that means creating a new Education Program Development Manager position to help grow programs, serve community interests, and build a stronger future.

Congratulations!

10/08/2026

Last night was — as Julia Child would say — exquisite! (iykyk)

At our Annual Meeting & Celebration, we awarded $280,000 in grants to nonprofits and announced a $100,000 community challenge!

Congratulations to all the winners:
✨Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant: Mosaic CCDA
✨Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant: Water Street Glassworks
✨Carolyn's Kids: Children's Music Workshop - CMW, Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan and
✨Golden Acorn Volunteer Award: Women Helping Women of Southwest Michigan
✨Golden Acorn Excellence Award: Berrien County Youth Fair

The community challenge match is raising dollars to help two organizations who recently experienced major federal funding cuts: Caring Connection and Children's Advocacy Center of Southwest Michigan. For every dollar up to $40,000 for Caring Connection and $30,000 for Children's Advocacy Center, BCF will match it.

Give to the community challenge here 👉www.berriencommunity.org/CommunityChallenge

You can read more about the night here 👉 www.berriencommunity.org/news/bcf-awards-280k-celebration

10/08/2026

Found: Pair of glasses.

A pair of eyeglasses were found at the end of our Annual Meeting & Celebration last night. If they're yours, message us or give us a call to claim! Our number is 269-983-3304.

09/29/2026

A driver’s license can make a world of difference. We're proud to support Present Pillars' family mobility driving program to help adults get the resources they need to earn their license, from driver’s education support to access to a vehicle for practice and testing.

Congratulations, Ken ItsTime, on earning your license!

Congratulations Ken ItsTime on passing your road test today!

If you or anyone you know that is 18 or older with a valid Temporary Learners Permit please send them our way!

Program Requirements:
✅ 18+
✅ Valid Temporary Learner’s Permit
✅ $20
✅ Financial Assistance available for those who qualify

Call or text 269-332-1102

Thank you to Berrien Community Foundation for making this program a success!

09/29/2026

UPDATE: Phones are back up & running!

Our phones are currently down. If you need to get ahold of us, please message us or send us an email 👉 www.berriencommunity.org/contactus

09/28/2026

📢Today is the last day to buy tickets for Voices Empowered📢
Join Caring Connection for this powerful, informative and uplifting event to support the work of The Empowerment Center assisting victims of sexual and domestic assault in Berrien County.

Details:
🕝7p.m. Thursday, October 1
📍Shadowland Ballroom, 333 Board Street, St. Joseph
🎟️Buy tickets here: https://bit.ly/4iA3W9M

Can't make it? You can donate at the same link!

09/23/2026

Monday is the last day to buy your tickets to Caring Connection's fundraiser, "Voices Empowered." Buy your tickets here 👉 https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cctafniauction/

Here's a little more info on who Jess Michaels is👇

Founder of the 3Js program that takes a "Pause - Protect - Prevent" approach towards minimizing the impacts of unprocessed trauma, Jess Michaels teaches people and communities the skills to connect the value of shame-free, community-based early trauma intervention to the needs of sexual assault survivors.

We look forward to seeing you there!
https://secure.qgiv.com/event/cctafniauction/