MGCF Awards Nearly $100,000 to Support Local Community Projects

From improving trails and preserving land to expanding water-safety programs and purchasing lifesaving equipment, 10 local organizations will receive a combined $96,139.95 through the latest grant cycle of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation (MGCF).

The grants support projects throughout the communities served by MGCF, with funding coming from a variety of donor-established funds, including the Buchanan Area Fund, Niles Area Fund, and Cass County Fund.

“Every one of these grants represents an opportunity to make a tangible difference in our community,” said

Michael Rowland, President and CEO at Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. “Whether it’s helping a child learn to swim, making a trail more accessible, providing cancer patients with nutritional support or giving first responders access to lifesaving equipment, these investments have a direct impact on the people who live here.”

Among the largest awards is a $20,000 grant to the YMCA Cass Swim Camp to support the Cassopolis Swim Program, which provides swimming instruction and water-safety education to local students.

The Niles-Buchanan YMCA also received $20,000 for staff safety training, while Chikaming Open Lands

received $20,000 toward the purchase of land for conservation.

Other grants include:

• God’s Mercy Seat Missionary Baptist Church - $5,000 for financial coaching services.

• City of Buchanan Police Department - $4,164 for the purchase of automated external defibrillator

               (AED) equipment.

• Buchanan Community Schools Track & Field Boosters - $4,975.95 for the purchase of a discus cage.

• Berrien County Cancer Service - $5,000 for its Whole Food Nutritional Supplement program.

• Girl Scouts - $5,000 to support a leadership experience for local girls.

• Fernwood Botanical Garden & Nature Preserve - $6,000 for trail improvements.

• Buchanan District Library - $6,000 to support its Winter Concert Series.

The latest grants bring together funding from both broad community funds and donor-established funds with specific charitable purposes. This allows MGCF to direct charitable dollars toward a diverse range of needs while honoring the intentions of donors who have established funds through the Foundation.

“These grants show just how many different ways people and organizations are working to strengthen our communities,” said Jennifer Popielski, Program Director at MGCF. “Our role is to help connect the generosity of donors with organizations that are already doing important work right here at home.”

MGCF manages charitable funds established by individuals, families and organizations who want to create a lasting impact in their communities. Through grants and other charitable programs, the Foundation helps donors turn their philanthropic goals into investments in local organizations and initiatives.

The Foundation’s grantmaking supports communities across the region in areas including education, health and wellness, youth development, recreation, public safety, arts and culture, conservation and human services.

Michigan Gateway Community Foundation has two annual grant cycles from unrestricted grant sources, February 1 and August 1, and one mini-grant cycle for youth-led initiatives due November 1st.