For Good Major Grant

The Berrien Community Foundation (BCF), a local philanthropic organization based in Berrien County, Michigan, offers the “For Good” Grants program to support community-focused projects. The Foundation provides leadership and resources to enhance quality of life throughout Berrien County, emphasizing a broad spectrum of needs from education to the arts. The For Good Grants are offered twice yearly and structured into two tiers: the "For Good" Major, with awards up to $15,000, and the "For Good" Minor, capped at $1,500. This tiered system is designed to accommodate both small and large project scopes while streamlining access for organizations of varying capacities. The grants are specifically intended for organizations serving the Berrien County area and are available to a wide range of applicants, including 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, religious organizations engaging in community benefit work, and government agencies. The funding priorities span across numerous community needs such as the arts, education, health, environment, youth development, community improvement, children, seniors, and special needs. Importantly, organizations may only receive one For Good Grant per calendar year, and those that have received funding for three consecutive years must observe a one-year hiatus before reapplying. Applications for these grants are due on April 1 and October 1 each year. Project start dates must be at least two months after the application deadline—June 1 for April applicants and December 1 for October applicants. The For Good Minor utilizes a simplified form intended for smaller requests and less complex projects, whereas the For Good Major requires a standard-length application with additional supporting documentation. Required documentation for the For Good Major Grant includes a project budget form, a grant signature form, and, for 501(c)(3) applicants, additional documents such as the organization’s Tax ID, financial statements, most recent IRS Form 990 (or equivalent), a list of board members, and the current operating budget. Religious organizations and governmental units must also provide a board list, operating budget, and a statement of financial balance. All applicants must create an online account to apply and are encouraged to save their draft frequently to prevent data loss. BCF also advises applicants to compose responses in a separate Word document before submitting through the online portal to ensure content is backed up and easy to edit. The Foundation highlights that login credentials cannot be recovered, so applicants must securely retain them. Award decisions are made following internal review by the foundation, and past recipients are publicly listed, offering transparency and community insight. Contact information for inquiries is available via the Foundation’s main office located at 2900 S State St, Ste 2E, Saint Joseph, MI 49085. They can also be reached by phone at 269-983-3304. While specific individual contacts or email addresses are not provided in the source, the Foundation’s public-facing website serves as the entry point for all applicants. Given its twice-annual cycle and recurring structure, organizations interested in future application rounds should mark their calendars well in advance.