MGCF News and Notes

MGCF Cuts the Ribbon at the Ross Sanders House

On Friday, November 21, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation celebrated the opening of its new headquarters at the historic Ross-Sanders House in downtown Buchanan. The ribbon cutting followed the City’s downtown reopening ceremony, marking a milestone moment after nearly a year of infrastructure improvements.

The restored building now serves as MGCF’s permanent home and reflects the Foundation’s continued growth and commitment to programs like the Buchanan Promise and Youth Advisory Council. The project was made possible through collaboration with the City of Buchanan, the Buchanan Preservation Society, and local partners.

Click HERE to read the full Press Release

New Scholarship Coordinator Joins The Team

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is pleased to welcome Jen Bomar as our new Scholarship Coordinator.

Jen brings more than a decade of experience in community-focused nonprofit work. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication and Theatre Arts from Monmouth College, building the strong communication skills and creativity that continue to shape her work today.

Throughout her career, Jen has supported programs that uplift individuals and strengthen communities. Her background includes directing children’s musical theatre with Children’s Music Workshop and serving as Grant Director for Neighbor by Neighbor.

Known for her collaborative spirit, thoughtful approach, and genuine passion for helping others, Jen brings warmth, clarity, and purpose to her role. We are excited to have her on the Michigan Gateway team and look forward to the positive impact she will make for our scholarship recipients and community.

Please join us in welcoming Jen to the MGCF team!

Youth Advisory Council Spreads Holiday Cheer Through Giving

This holiday season, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Youth Advisory Council (YAC) is making a meaningful impact by donating food to six local food pantries across southern Berrien and Cass Counties. The project focuses on providing much-needed staples to help families during a time when food insecurity can be especially challenging.

One pantry partner shared how important these donations are, noting, “When it’s meat and poultry, we can never get enough… gifts like this, everybody will appreciate.”

YAC’s volunteer-led effort reflects the compassion and leadership of local youth who are committed to strengthening their communities and supporting neighbors in need.

Stay tuned for more information on the impact of this project and the difference these young leaders are making this holiday season.

New Book Vending Machine Installed at Moccasin Elementary

A brand-new book vending machine was officially unveiled during a ribbon-cutting celebration on December 10, where four Moccasin students proudly helped cut the ribbon and were the first to choose books of their own.

This exciting addition was made possible through Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, with funding from both the Buchanan Area Fund and the Buchanan Education Fund. The Buchanan Education Fund is guided by the Buchanan Community Schools Foundation, helping ensure community dollars are invested in projects that truly support students and schools.

Instead of snacks, this vending machine delivers something even better—books! Students earn reusable tokens for positive behavior and academic effort, which they can exchange for a brand-new book to take home and keep. It’s a fun, motivating way to encourage reading while making sure every student has access, no matter their circumstances.

“At Michigan Gateway Community Foundation we pride ourselves in our partnership with Buchanan Community Schools and, in this case, the Moccasin PTM,” said Michael Rowland, CEO of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. “What really excited us about this opportunity was that the PTM did a great job with matching the book vending machine with tokens the students can earn through behavior and work. This provides an equitable opportunity for all students to access books, and in turn, help the district deliver on their literacy initiatives.”

For those inside the building every day, the excitement is already clear.

“This machine has created such a buzz,” said Brittany Martin, PTM President. “To see students light up knowing they’re getting a brand-new book to keep—often one they picked out themselves—is incredible. Nothing compares to that excitement.”

Want to Help Keep the Pages Turning?

You can support future projects like this by donating to the Buchanan Area Fund, Buchanan Education Fund, or the Buchanan Community Schools Foundation through the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation website: www.mgcf.org. Your gift helps bring creative, meaningful opportunities to local students—one book, one idea, and one bright moment at a time.

Kickstart to Career Off to a Strong Start This School Year

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation’s Kickstart to Career program is off to an exciting start for the school year! Last month marked the first in-school deposit days, and students showed up in a big way—setting the stage for a year of growth, learning, and saving.

Alongside deposit day, Brenda Hemphill, with support from Honor Credit Union, visited classrooms to provide financial education lessons for students in kindergarten through seventh grade. The lessons were a big hit, helping students better understand saving, money management, and how small habits today can make a big difference in the future.

The results speak for themselves. November’s deposit day was record-setting, with double the number of deposits and double the total deposit amount compared to this time last year. This increased participation shows growing awareness and enthusiasm for the program—and reinforces the importance of helping students build strong financial habits early.

“We’re thrilled to see so many students excited about saving,” said program leaders. “Kickstart to Career is all about helping young people develop confidence and consistency when it comes to planning for their future.”

The momentum continues with the next in-school deposit day scheduled for Thursday, December 18. MGCF is looking forward to an even stronger turnout as students continue building the habit of saving—and investing in what comes next.

MGCF Grant Applications Deadline February 1

MGCF is now accepting applications for its upcoming grant cycle, with a submission deadline of February 1. Individuals, nonprofits, schools, and community organizations are encouraged to apply for funding to support projects that strengthen our region and improve quality of life.

The February grant cycle places a special focus on projects benefiting youth, but organizations working in other areas are also encouraged to apply. MGCF welcomes a wide range of proposals and is committed to supporting initiatives that address local needs, spark innovation, and create lasting community impact.

If you have an idea that could make a difference in your community, MGCF encourages you to apply. Thoughtful, locally driven projects—big or small—can have a meaningful impact when supported by community investment.

For more information or assistance, visit the MGCF website or contact the Foundation directly. MGCF looks forward to partnering with community leaders and organizations to bring impactful projects to life.

Scholarship Applications Open January 15

Families and students are encouraged to mark their calendars—the Buchanan Promise Scholarship and all other Michigan Gateway Community Foundation scholarship applications open on January 15.

These scholarship opportunities are designed to support students as they pursue education and training beyond high school. Whether you’re planning for college, technical school, or another post-secondary pathway, now is the time to start preparing your application materials.

Detailed information, eligibility requirements, and application links will be available at:

www.buchananpromise.com for the Buchanan Promise Scholarship
www.mgcf.com for all other MGCF scholarships

Questions? We’re Here to Help

For Buchanan Promise–related questions, contact Brenda Hemphill at info@buchananpromise.com
For all other scholarship questions, contact Jen Bomar at scholarships@mgcf.org

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is proud to help open doors for students and families through scholarships that invest in education and future success. Be sure to check back on January 15 and take the next step toward your goals!