Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Awards Nearly $150,000in Community Grants
BUCHANAN, MI – The Michigan Gateway Community Foundation (MGCF) has awarded $148,477.75 in grants to nonprofit organizations and public agencies serving south Berrien and Cass Counties as part of the foundation’s most recent competitive grant cycle, which closed on February 1, 2026.
The grants support a wide range of initiatives aimed at strengthening local communities, including education, youth development, arts and culture, housing stability, and services for vulnerable populations. Funding was distributed through several MGCF funds, including the Youth Fund, Youth Advisory Council, Buchanan Area Fund, Niles Area Fund, Cass County Community Fund, and other donor-advised and field-of-interest funds.
Organizations receiving support during this grant cycle include: Junior Achievement programs in Berrien and Cass Counties, Michiana Chamber Orchestra, Buchanan Community Schools, Buchanan Music Boosters, City of Niles, Ronald McDonald House Charities, Lory’s Place Grief Healing & Education Center, The Salvation Army, Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan, United Way of Southwest Michigan, Cass County Land Bank Authority, Buchanan Area Senior Center, LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts of America, Cultural Arts Everywhere, Edwardsburg Public Schools, Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District, and One Buchanan.
Funds from awarded grant dollars will be used for youth programs, school initiatives, housing support, arts programming, and services for families and seniors.
“Each grant cycle demonstrates the incredible work being done by organizations across our region,” said Michael Rowland, President of the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of our donors and the stewardship of our community funds, we are able to invest in programs that strengthen education, support families, and improve quality of life throughout south Berrien and Cass Counties.”
The foundation’s Youth Advisory Council (YAC) also played a role in allocating funding for youth-focused initiatives, continuing its mission of empowering local students to learn about philanthropy while supporting programs that benefit their peers.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation manages a growing collection of charitable funds dedicated to improving communities in its service area. Through competitive grants, scholarships, and donor-directed giving, the foundation connects community needs with philanthropic resources to create lasting local impact.
About Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Founded in 1977, the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation connects donors, organizations, and communities in southern Berrien and Cass Counties through philanthropy, partnerships, and endowment building. The Foundation’s
mission is to foster a community for good—forever.
Learn more at www.mgcf.org.
Grant Recipients – February 2026 Grant Cycle
Junior Achievement — $3,000 — Student programs in south Berrien and Cass Counties
Michiana Chamber Orchestra — $7,365 — Equipment, music, and supplies for free community performances
Buchanan Community Schools — $5,000 — No Waste, Full Plates food security program
Buchanan Music Boosters — $7,000 — Choir uniforms
City of Niles (Help 4 Homes Program) — $15,642.35 — Home repairs for low-income and senior households
Ronald McDonald House Charities — $5,000 — “No Roof on Healing” campaign
Lory’s Place Grief Healing & Education Center — $10,912.90 — Grief support outreach in the Niles-Buchanan area
The Salvation Army — $10,000 — Assistance for low-income households
Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan — $13,516 — New boiler for community arts facility
United Way of Southwest Michigan — $6,000 — Cass County School Supply Spectacular
Cass County Land Bank Authority — $8,980 — Blight elimination program
Buchanan Area Senior Center — $10,000 — Replacement transportation van
LaSalle Council of Boy Scouts of America — $7,000 — Membership fee assistance for families in need
Cultural Arts Everywhere — $4,000 — Community arts programming
Edwardsburg Public Schools — $4,476.50 — “Future-Ready Learning Commons” library renovation
Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District — $10,000 — Classroom gardens, field trips, sensory materials, and student snacks
One Buchanan — $585 — Mental health and suicide prevention forum for students and families
Buchanan Community Schools tennis Program — $20,000 — Replacement of tennis nets, as part of the broader track and tennis renovation project.