Greater South Haven Area Community Foundation Annual Grant

The South Haven Area Community Foundation offers an annual grant opportunity designed to enhance the quality of life in the Greater South Haven area through investments in education, economic development, arts, and culture. The Foundation, governed by a volunteer board representing the South Haven community, has distributed over $650,000 in grant funding since its inception. Grants are made from earnings on its endowment funds and are available to local nonprofit organizations, school systems, and municipal governments. This grant program focuses on projects that address priority concerns within the Foundation’s strategic plan and demonstrate potential for broad community impact. Eligible applicants must either be located within a 10-mile radius of downtown South Haven or serve populations residing in the communities of Arlington, Bangor, Casco, Columbia, Covert, Geneva, Lee, or South Haven. Additionally, organizations must be recognized as 501(c)(3) nonprofits or be qualified governmental entities. Fiscal accountability and nonprofit governance structures are required, with first-time applicants needing to submit IRS determination letters and good standing certifications. Applications open annually on January 1 and must be submitted electronically by March 15. Grant awards typically range from $1,001 to $10,000 under Tier Two funding, which supports project-specific expenses. Applicants may submit one proposal per cycle. The Foundation does not fund operating costs (except under Tier One), religious or political activities, debt reduction, or endowment building. Projects that demonstrate leverage potential, collaborative partnerships, and measurable community benefit are prioritized. The evaluation process is conducted by a Grants Committee composed of Foundation Board members, selected to ensure geographic and professional diversity. Proposals are assessed on project quality, community impact, and organizational capacity. The review includes considerations such as planning detail, volunteer involvement, budget soundness, and alignment with the Foundation’s goals. Final decisions are made by the full Board of Directors. Required components for application include a cover sheet, organizational chart, list of officers and directors, financial statements, and a narrative addressing the project’s objectives, methods, sustainability, and evaluation. A completed checklist and submission to grants@southhavencf.org by the March 15 deadline are mandatory. Final reports for previously awarded grants must be submitted before a new application will be considered. This grant opportunity recurs annually, with the next expected cycle beginning in January 2026. Organizations planning to apply in the next round should monitor the Foundation’s website in early winter 2025 for updates and begin preparing required materials in advance.

Demonstrate alignment with priorities, include sustainability plan, detail project evaluation, and ensure fiscal compliance.