For Good Minor Grant

The Berrien Community Foundation administers the For Good Grants program, a local funding initiative designed to support charitable, educational, and community-based projects in Berrien County, Michigan. As a private community foundation, it provides resources to a wide range of organizations serving the county. The program is divided into two categories: the For Good Major Grant, which offers funding up to $15,000, and the For Good Minor Grant, which provides up to $1,500. The Major Grant requires a standard application, while the Minor Grant is designed with a shorter and simpler process for smaller requests. The purpose of the For Good Grants is to fund initiatives that enhance quality of life across multiple focus areas including arts, children, community improvement and special needs, education, environment, health, seniors, and youth leadership and development. Projects must serve the residents of Berrien County and be carried out by eligible organizations. The foundation specifies that 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, religious organizations conducting community work, and government entities may apply. To ensure equitable distribution of funds, organizations may only receive one grant per calendar year, and those who have received awards for three consecutive years must take one year off before applying again. Applications are reviewed twice per year with deadlines on April 1 and October 1. Grants are recurring, following a biannual cycle. The foundation requires that project start dates begin at least two months after the application deadline, which translates to June 1 or later for spring submissions and October 1 or later for fall submissions. Applications must be submitted through the foundation’s online portal, with applicants required to register as an organization using either an EIN number or manual entry of organizational information. Supporting documents include a project budget form and a signed grant signature form, with the option to provide one additional page of project information. All documents must be submitted in PDF format. The foundation evaluates applications based on alignment with its priority areas, the scope and feasibility of the proposed project, and the impact on Berrien County communities. Awards are made in accordance with the available funding pool and program guidelines. While no matching requirement is specified, the foundation emphasizes strong planning, community engagement, and effective use of resources as key evaluation factors. Applicants are advised to draft responses in a separate document before uploading to the portal to avoid technical issues and to carefully save their work throughout the process. Examples of past recipients highlight the breadth of funded projects, such as health resources provided by Berrien County Cancer Service, accessibility improvements by the Disability Network Southwest Michigan, youth programming by Emerge Innovation Hub, and arts and cultural programs such as the summer concert series at Roti Roti Art Center of Buchanan. Other awards have supported community health education, recreational infrastructure, and public safety equipment. The Berrien Community Foundation serves as the central contact for all inquiries. The foundation is located at 2900 S State St, Suite 2E, Saint Joseph, Michigan 49085. The office can be reached at 269-983-3304. While no specific staff contact is listed, applicants are directed to the online portal for account setup and submission. With its recurring schedule and clearly defined eligibility criteria, the For Good Grants program provides an accessible funding opportunity for organizations seeking to improve community life in Berrien County.