Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants

The Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants program is a funding opportunity offered by the Berrien Community Foundation, a local philanthropic organization based in Saint Joseph, Michigan. The foundation is committed to supporting education and creativity within Berrien County by providing resources to teachers and school staff to implement imaginative classroom projects. The Golden Acorn initiative reflects the foundation’s belief in empowering educators to enhance learning experiences for students beyond the scope of traditional classroom funding. This grant is specifically designed to support individual educators or school staff in Berrien County public or private schools who have innovative ideas for in-class or in-school projects. The purpose of the grant is to eliminate financial barriers that often prevent these projects from being realized. Eligible applicants may request up to $500 per project. Notably, each educator may receive only one award per calendar year, but multiple applications from a single school district are not only allowed but encouraged. Grant funds may be used to purchase materials, equipment, or other resources directly related to a specific project or program. However, funds are not intended for general classroom supplies such as textbooks or for field trips. Examples of fundable projects include purchasing a lab kit for a geometry lesson or a tree tapping kit for a science project on maple trees. This targeted approach supports projects that are both educational and imaginative in nature. The application process is straightforward. Interested applicants must first receive approval from their school principal, who must provide a signed letter that will be uploaded as part of the online application. Applicants must create an individual account via the foundation’s third-party application portal, which is accessible through the “Apply Now” link on the foundation’s website. Although the portal requires a separate account, the credentials can be reused from the main Berrien Community Foundation site. There are two grant cycles each year. The first deadline falls on June 1 and the second on December 1. These cycles recur annually. As of today, the next application deadline is December 1, 2025. The grant is currently active and accepting applications for the upcoming cycle. All applications must be submitted through the designated portal before the deadline. Applications are evaluated on their creativity, relevance to the classroom, and overall potential to improve educational outcomes. For more information or assistance, applicants may contact the Berrien Community Foundation at their office located at 2900 S State St, Suite 2E, Saint Joseph, MI 49085. The foundation can be reached by phone at 269-983-3304. No individual contact name or email address is specified in the source. Teachers and staff interested in previous successful projects may refer to a listing of past awardees available on the foundation’s website.