Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Newsletter

Dear Friends and Supporters of the Community Foundation,

As we bid farewell to the chilly winds of winter and welcome March with the gentle breeze of spring, we're thrilled to share the latest happenings and initiatives from the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. This month we’re excited to share February grant recipients, important scholarship deadlines, new YAC members and fun events to help the community strive.

Creating a Strong, Vibrant, Caring Community

Youth Advisory Council (YAC):

We’re starting off our March strong by introducing our eight new students who have joined the Youth Advisory Council (YAC). Please join us in welcoming these new members.

Austin Gregory - Buchanan High School
Jacob Kuntz - Buchanan High School
Dean Wegner - Buchanan High School
Hunter Hurley - Marcellus High School
Isabel Kennedy - Ross Beatty High School (Cassopolis)
Dickson Smadder - Ross Beatty High School (Cassopolis)
Alan Wegner - Ross Beatty High School (Cassopolis)
Kenyen Xayasane-Kennedy - Ross Beatty High School (Cassopolis)

The Youth Advisory Council more commonly known as YAC, is a group of teens who advise Michigan Gateway Community Foundation about youth concerns in Southern Berrien and Cass Counties. Our YAC members volunteer for a variety of service projects and give grants for youth projects in our service area. YAC is helping our community one grant and one service project at a time. We are currently recruiting in Dowagiac, Edwardsburg and Marcellus. Check out our YAC website page here!

Press Release

March 7, 2024

For Immediate Release

Available Electronically

Contact: Michael P. Rowland

269.695.3521

Mrowland@mgcf.org

MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION AWARDS GRANTS TO LOCAL CHARITABLE PROGRAMS

BUCHANAN – The Board of Trustees for Michigan Gateway Community Foundation have approved the granting of funds from the Foundation to the following programs:

$6,000 from the Buchanan Area Fund to the Buchanan Police Department for the acquisition of body cameras to ensure the safety of the officers and citizens.
$3,000 from a combination of the Unity Fund, Ann S. Cone Fund for Families & Youth, Niles Area Fund and the Active Community Life fund to the local organization Caring Connection. This will fund a needs assessment for adult daycare services across South Berrien County.
$10,000 from Niles Area Fund and the Ann S. Cone Fund for Families & Youth for Salvation Army’s Feeding His Sheep backpack program.
$10,000 from our Youth Advisory Council and the Ann S. Cone Fund for Families & Youth to WeEcho. This will fund their Weys2Shine summer programming for area youth.
$4,689 from Unity Fund, Buchanan Area Fund and Walter Schirmer Jr Fund to Buchanan Community Schools for the purchase of heart rate monitors for the high school.
$4,091 from the Unity Fund to Buchanan Community Schools for the purchase of additional equipment for the weight room at the high school.
$8,320 from our Youth Advisory Council to Buchanan Community Schools for the purchase of an integrated library system tying them to Buchanan District Library’s catalog.
$4,500 from our Youth Advisory Council to United Way of Southwest Michigan for the Cass School Supply Spectacular.
$2,425 from the Walter Schirmer Jr Fund to One Buchanan to hold an LGBTQ+ Civil Rights Forum in Buchanan.
$30,000 from the Walter Schirmer Jr Library Fund and the B.R. & Marjorie H. Desenberg Library Fund for the acquisition of new signage for the library.
$2,000 from the Buchanan Area Fund to the Buchanan District Library to help fund a backpack program for the community of Buchanan.
$15,000 from the Walter Schirmer Jr Fund to Chikaming Open Lands to develop parking and signage at Myron Perlman Nature Preserve.
$3,000 from the Walter Schirmer Jr Fund to the Buchanan Tree Friends for their spring tree planting in Buchanan.
$700 from the Woodhouse Family Fund to support youth programming at the Cass District Library location in Cassopolis.
$5,000 from the Niles Area Fund and the Ann S. Cone Fund for Families & Youth to support the YMCA of Greater Michiana’s Summer My Way summer program.

Founded in 1978, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation serves southern Berrien County and Cass County Michigan. The Foundation was established with gifts from many citizens in amounts ranging from a few dollars to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Only the income generated by the investment of these gifts is used in grant making. A gift to the community funds, such as those from Niles, Buchanan, and Cass County, serve these communities in perpetuity.

The Foundation accepts grant proposals two times each year with submission dates of August 1, and February 1. Prompt consideration is given to all grant requests, with decisions usually available within one month. Each proposal will be evaluated by the Foundation for its potential value to the community and for the availability of funding resources.

For more information on Michigan Gateway Community Foundation, or to make a contribution that supports your community, contact Michael P. Rowland at 111 Days Avenue Buchanan, MI 49107, visit www.mgcf.org or call 269.695.3521.

Upcoming Events and Deadlines

Show Me the Money Day: We are excited to announce we are hosting a SMTMD Event again this spring! It will be held May 4, 2024 at the Red Bud City Community Center, 131 S. Oak St. Buchanan, MI 49107. It’s a free event that features free and low cost financial products, community resources, financial aid and fun. Lunch is provided for this event! If you want to learn more about this event check it out here!

2024 Scholarship Application Closes: The application period for our scholarships opened on January 15th and will close on March 15th at 11:59 PM! Encourage deserving students in our community to apply and take the first step toward achieving their dreams. To apply, click here!

Ways to Get Involved

Your involvement is essential to our success. Here's how you can contribute to our mission in 2024:

Donate: Your financial support, no matter the amount, goes a long way in helping our community thrive.

Volunteer: Ask us how to get involved in the Foundation! We are always in need of volunteers to assist with scholarship selection committees, mentorship programs, and community events. Your time and expertise are invaluable.

Spread the Word: Share our newsletter and the work of the Community Foundation with your friends and family. Together, we can reach even more individuals who want to make a difference.

As we embrace the spirit of renewal and growth this March, let's continue to cultivate a community where every individual has the opportunity to thrive. Together, we can make a difference.

With Gratitude and warm regards,
Your Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Family