MGCF Newsletter

MGCF Is Hiring – Join Our Team!

The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is excited to announce that we are growing our team and seeking a new Scholarship Coordinator to help us deepen our impact throughout Southern Berrien and Cass counties.

In this role, the Scholarship Coordinator will provide administrative oversight of our scholarship program, work closely with our Administrative Associate and CEO, and serve as a primary contact for students, schools, and partners. Daily tasks include coordinating committee meetings, managing applications and eligibility databases, promoting the program throughout the region, working with our flagship “Buchanan Promise” initiative, and helping to evaluate and improve program performance.

The ideal candidate will have a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent experience), two or more years in nonprofit or office administration, experience working with scholarships or youth programs, strong communication and data-analysis skills, and a passion for MGCF’s mission of making our region a better place to live.

Please consider applying or sharing this opportunity with someone you know who’d be a great fit.

Click HERE for the full job posting.

Strengthening Our Impact Through Learning

and Leadership

At Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, we believe that lasting community impact begins with a commitment to learning. Last month, Senior Program Officer Jennifer Popielski and Board Chair Karin Faulkenstein represented MGCF at the Council of Michigan Foundations (CMF) 53rd Annual Conference, themed “Meeting the Moment Together.”

The three-day event gathered philanthropic leaders from across the state to explore emerging trends and best practices in community development, equity, and leadership. Sessions such as “Funding Disruption: The Power of Community Organizing,” “From Grantmakers to Changemakers: Catalyzing Leadership in Philanthropy,” and “Reimagining the Board’s Role: Purpose-Driven Leadership in Changing Times” offered opportunities to engage deeply with new ideas that strengthen the work of community foundations like MGCF.

“Attending the CMF Annual Conference allows us to connect with peers and gain insights into the innovative work happening across Michigan,” said Jennifer Popielski, Senior Program Officer at MGCF. “It’s an opportunity to bring fresh ideas back to our region—ideas that help us better support our grantees, strengthen partnerships, and continue growing as a foundation that truly serves our community.”

Both Jennifer and Karin participated in sessions focused on collaboration, inclusive leadership, and trust-based philanthropy—topics that align closely with MGCF’s ongoing efforts to expand opportunity and deepen relationships in the communities we serve.

Their participation reflects MGCF’s continued investment in professional development and board education. By staying informed and connected to the broader philanthropic community, MGCF ensures that its work remains forward-thinking, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of the people it serves.

For more info on the Council of Michigan Foundations, visit: https://www.michiganfoundations.org/

Youth Advisory Council Focuses on Student Mental Health

The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) continues to empower young people to make a real difference in their communities. At this month’s meeting, YAC members took a deep dive into the results of their most recent youth needs assessment, discussing how this data can guide their grantmaking and help address pressing issues affecting their peers.

The discussion, facilitated by Jess Nelson of The Eudaimonia Movement, centered on one of the most urgent topics identified in the survey—mental health among area students. Members explored the challenges their classmates face and brainstormed ways YAC grant funds can be used to support programs that promote mental wellness, connection, and resilience in local schools and youth organizations.

“The students showed incredible empathy and insight,” said Jess Nelson, founder of The Eudaimonia Movement, an organization dedicated to helping people live more intentional, fulfilling lives. “They’re not just identifying problems—they’re thinking critically about how to create environments where their peers can thrive. That kind of leadership gives me a lot of hope for the future.”

“This is where youth philanthropy really shines,” added Jennifer Popielski, MGCF Senior Program Officer. “Our YAC members are using data and their own lived experiences to make informed decisions about how to improve life for young people right here in our community.”

If you’d like to learn more about MGCF’s Youth Advisory Council, visit: https://www.mgcf.org/yac

First Kickstart to Career Deposit Day Nov. 20

Excitement is building for the first Kickstart to Career Deposit Day, happening November 20! This milestone event marks an important step in helping local students begin their journey toward future success.

As part of the celebration, Kickstart to Career Program Officer Brenda Hemphill, Senior Program Officer Jennifer Popielski, and Honor Credit Union Buchanan Branch Manager Christy Layman recently visited Ottawa Elementary School to deliver Kickstart piggy banks to kindergarten students. The visit helped introduce young learners to the idea of saving early and showed them that their community is invested in their dreams.

To learn more about Kickstart to Career visit: https://www.buchananpromise.com/k2c-overview

MGCF to Host Ribbon Cutting at New Headquarters

We’re excited to share that the City of Buchanan will host a ribbon cutting ceremony for the re-opening of our downtown on Friday Nov 21, beginning at 10:30 a.m. A community parade will follow, ending in front of the historic Ross-Sanders House at 11:30 a.m.

Following the parade, we’ll hold a brief ribbon cutting at the Ross-Sanders House, and the building will be open for tours.

We’re thrilled to be part of the rejuvenation of our beloved town and look forward to celebrating this milestone with you.

Small Business Saturday Open House Nov 29

As part of Small Business Saturday, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation invites you to an Open House at our new headquarters — the historic Ross-Sanders House in downtown Buchanan — on Saturday, November 29, from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m.

Stop by to tour the beautifully restored building, enjoy free popcorn, and take part in kids’ crafts as we celebrate our new home and the ongoing revitalization of downtown Buchanan.

This is a wonderful opportunity to connect with the MGCF team, learn more about our community impact, and see how this historic space will continue to serve our region for years to come.

We can’t wait to welcome you — see you on Small Business Saturday!

GIVING TUESDAY DEC 2

This Giving Tuesday, we invite you to make a difference right here at home by supporting one of the many funds housed at the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation (MGCF).

Each fund at MGCF represents a shared commitment to strengthening our communities — supporting causes such as education, youth programs, the arts, environmental stewardship, health, and local initiatives that make Southern Berrien and Cass stronger places to live, learn, and grow.

You can explore a full list of funds and learn more about the impact they make at mgcf.org/funds-at-mgcf.

Whether you choose to contribute to an existing fund or are inspired to start one of your own, your generosity will help create opportunities and lasting change for generations to come.

For more information about giving or establishing a new fund, please contact the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation at 269.695.3521 — and join us in celebrating the spirit of community this Giving Tuesday.