William J. Deputy Endowment Fund

The William J. Deputy Endowment Fund is a community-focused funding opportunity administered by the Berrien Community Foundation, located in Saint Joseph, Michigan. This fund was established in 2008 in memory of William J. Deputy, a long-time resident and philanthropist in the Harbor Country region. Deputy was deeply committed to the area's well-being, particularly its waterfront development and overall community enrichment. As a member of the New Buffalo Yacht Club and the New Buffalo Harbor Commission, Deputy supported projects that aligned with his passion for community improvement, especially those involving the waterfront and broader infrastructure in the Harbor Country area. The purpose of the fund is to provide financial support for community projects initiated by local governments in the Harbor Country region. The fund is specifically designated for municipalities, not individuals or nonprofits, and is structured to ensure that the funded projects directly benefit the residents within this geographic area. Projects may span various domains such as community enhancement, infrastructure improvement, or civic development, so long as the proposed outcomes align with the overarching goal of regional betterment. While the fund originated with a specific interest in waterfront improvements, it supports a broader range of projects that enhance quality of life across the community. Eligibility for the grant is narrowly defined. Only municipalities that serve the Harbor Country communities of Grand Beach, Harbert, Lakeside, Michiana, New Buffalo, Sawyer, Three Oaks, and Union Pier are allowed to apply. Each municipality may submit only one application per year, emphasizing the competitive nature and selective focus of the grant. However, municipalities are allowed to partner with community organizations to broaden the scope or impact of their proposals, though the lead applicant must still be a qualifying municipality. The application process is managed online through the Berrien Community Foundation’s grant portal. Applicants must register as an organization and obtain approval from BCF before accessing the application. Once registered and approved, applicants can locate the grant opportunity under the “Opportunities” section and begin the submission process. Draft applications can be accessed later under the “In Progress” section. Applicants are required to complete and upload a specific BCF budget worksheet as part of the grant application. The application is only open to municipal entities in the designated geographic area, and it is emphasized that no organization will be able to retrieve login credentials if lost. Applications are due annually by December 1. The grant does not operate on a rolling basis and follows a fixed deadline each year. Although there is no explicit mention of an award announcement date or pre-application steps such as Letters of Inquiry, the fixed deadline suggests a consistent review and award timeline. Applicants are encouraged to submit well in advance and ensure their organizational accounts are properly set up and approved before attempting to access or submit the application. For inquiries or further assistance, the Berrien Community Foundation can be contacted at their office at 2900 S State St, Ste 2E, Saint Joseph, MI 49085. The office phone number is 269-983-3304. No specific email address or individual contact name is provided in the source material. The fund provides a structured and recurring opportunity for municipal-level community enhancement in a well-defined geographic area.

New users must register and be approved. Save login credentials; they cannot be retrieved.