The Howard Facilities Program Endowment Grant was established by John E. N. and DeDe Howard to support community programs held at facilities that bear the Howard name. This fund is managed by the Berrien Community Foundation, a nonprofit organization located in Saint Joseph, Michigan. The foundation is committed to enhancing the quality of life in Berrien County through effective philanthropy and community engagement.
The purpose of this grant is to fund programs that take place within specific Howard-named facilities and serve residents of Berrien County. These facilities include the John & Dede Howard Family Trail, John & Dede Howard Ice Arena, John E.N. Howard Band Shell, John & Dede Howard Skate Park, John & Dede Howard Auditorium at St. Joseph High School, Howard Performing Arts Center at Andrews University, Howard Music Hall in Hillsdale, Michigan, and the John and Dede Howard Recital Hall in Holland, Michigan.
The grant is intended to support a wide range of community activities that occur within these venues. Examples include educational outings such as a school group exploring ecosystems on the Howard Family Trail, recreational and instructional events like a youth group meeting and learning to skate at the Howard Skate Park, or cultural experiences such as senior citizens attending a concert at the Howard Performing Arts Center.
Eligibility for this grant is open to nonprofit organizations, schools, churches, and government entities. Programs must take place within one of the designated Howard facilities and must serve residents of Berrien County, regardless of the participants' age. The application process requires submission through the Berrien Community Foundation's online grant portal by the deadline of November 1.
Evaluation of applications will focus on the alignment of proposed programs with the grant’s purpose, the potential impact on the community, and the feasibility of the project within the selected facility. Applicants seeking further information are encouraged to contact Susan Matheny, Program Director at Berrien Community Foundation, by phone at 269-983-3304.
All applications must be submitted by November 1. No other pre-application deadlines or Q&A sessions are specified. The foundation has not publicly disclosed the timeline for award announcements. Interested applicants should begin preparing their submissions in accordance with the provided guidelines and deadlines.
