Applications for the Fall 2016 Berrien Community Foundation grant cycle are available online at www.berriencommunity.org. The grant application deadline is Aug. 31.

The Foundation makes grants of up to $10,000 to nonprofit organizations serving Berrien County residents. The Foundation will consider grants in the areas of:

• Arts & Humanities

• Community Development

• Environmental and Animal Protection

• Healthful Living

• Nurturing Our Children

• Quality Education

• Senior Empowerment; and

• Youth Leadership and Development

“Last year we were able to fund 40 very different projects that affected lives throughout Berrien County,” said Berrien Community Foundation President Lisa Cripps-Downey. “BCF grants focus on the spectrum of what we believe makes our community great, from education and the arts, to the health of our seniors. It is so powerful to see what those gifts can do for our community and the impact lasts forever.”

The BCF Youth Advisory Council, T.E.A.M. (Teens Exhibiting Able Minds) also contribute their unique perspective to the grant process.

T.E.A.M. members make recommendations for funding projects that focus specifically on the challenges faced by youth.

In 2015 there were 7 projects that were funded as a result of T.E.A.M. recommendations. Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor’s Night Court was one such project. Using a core of basketball, Night Court offers positive alternatives to teens through adult mentoring and team sports during higher crime hours throughout the summer. The Night Court project has had a very positive impact on both gang activity and juvenile crime in the Benton Harbor area as well as helping youth develop friendlier and more positive attitudes toward law enforcement and other authority figures in our community.

Organizations wishing to apply may do so on-line at www.berriencommunity.org. “We encourage prospective applicants to review the information on the website to help answer any questions, but please feel free to contact us directly if you have any questions,” said Berrien Community Foundation Program Officer Susan Matheny. “We are here to help.”

For additional information visit the Berrien Community Foundation website at www.berriencommunity.org or contact Susan Matheny via email at susanmatheny@berriencommunity.org or by phone at (269) 983-3304 ext. 4.

The Berrien Community Foundation is celebrating its 62nd year of grant making in Berrien County. With the mission of enhancing the quality of life in Berrien County, the Community Foundation focuses on building endowments that will forever give back to the community.

The Foundation also provides donor advised funds, agency funds and scholarships while serving as a facilitative community leader in Berrien County. For more information, visit www.BerrienCommunity.org.