Battle Creek Community Foundation
Battle Creek Community Foundation is a public charity based in Battle Creek, Michigan. It makes grants and supports scholarships, community projects, and initiatives intended to improve quality of life in and around Battle Creek.
Battle Creek Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Battle Creek Community Foundation gave $5.0M across 96 grants in 2025 (avg $52K), mostly in Michigan. 18% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $5,011,256
- +75.0% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 96
- +20.0% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $52,201
- +45.9% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $17,965
- Total assets
- $130,090,632
- +0.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 18% first-time grantees (17 of 96, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (85% of itemized 2025 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2025 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2025; updated October 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Battle Creek Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Competitive general grant applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal. Applicants create an account, review the applicant resources, check that the project aligns with a funding focus area, upload required documents, and submit by the applicable deadline. The foundation says competitive general grants are one year in length; grantees must report on the project and grant expenditures at the end of the grant term. For fiscal year 2026–27, the foundation is implementing a letter-of-intent process for competitive general grants. Its mini grants offer up to $1,500 for community-driven initiatives and are reviewed on a rolling basis. The foundation’s website says the mini-grant program is active.
- Deadline
- Rolling
- Contact
Mailing address: 32 W Michigan Ave Ste 1, Battle Creek, MI 49017
Phone: (269) 962-2181
Website: https://bccfoundation.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
2 open opportunities from Battle Creek Community Foundation
Who Battle Creek Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was Encourage BC Operating (Internal) Community Project Fund ($686K). Together the top 10 received $2.8M.
Grant Size Distribution
462 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 369 grants of 462 (80%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation describes its grantmaking as serving people in and around Battle Creek. Its grant eligibility guide identifies the greater Battle Creek area as Battle Creek, Springfield, and the townships of Bedford, Emmett, and Pennfield. In filing year 2025, 85% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; the other reported recipient states were Louisiana (9%), Pennsylvania (3%), Illinois (2%), and Colorado (1%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 96 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Battle Creek Community Foundation open to new grantees?
18%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 17 of 96 grantees (18%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $60K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $21K repeat.
- 55% of 2025 grantees were also funded in 2024. Method
- Giving held roughly steady from 2022 to 2025 (+7%). Method
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2021–2025). Recipient names are matched across years, so a renamed or misspelled grantee can look new; grants to individuals are left out. Methodology.
Giving History
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
From 2021 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $2.9M (2024) to $5.0M (2025). In 2025 it made 96 grants totaling $5.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Encourage BC Operating (Internal) Community Project Fund Battle Creek, MI | E - Health, General & Rehabilitative | $685,888 |
| United Way of South Central Michigan Kalamazoo, MI | T - Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grant Making Foundation | $536,446 |
| Southern University System Foundation Baton Rouge, LA | B - Education | $425,000 |
| Battle Creek Family YMCA Battle Creek, MI | O - Youth Development | $194,860 |
| Kalamazoo Community Foundation Kalamazoo, MI | T - Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grant Making Foundation | $185,785 |
| Brass Band of Battle Creek Battle Creek, MI | A - Arts, Culture, Humanities | $183,600 |
| Humane Society of South Central Michigan Battle Creek, MI | D - Animal Related Activities | $171,184 |
| Binder Park Zoo Battle Creek, MI | D - Animal Related Activities | $159,447 |
| Kappa Alpha Psi Foundation Inc Philadelphia, PA | T - Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grant Making Foundation | $150,000 |
| The Music Center of South Central Michigan Battle Creek, MI | A - Arts, Culture, Humanities | $133,360 |
Ready to take the next step with Battle Creek Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $130,090,632 | $12,460,701 | $14,207,425 | $5,011,256 | 96 | $3,943,153 |
| 2024 | $128,945,978 | $12,838,227 | $21,624,963 | $2,862,845 | 80 | $3,215,996 |
| 2023 | $121,679,596 | $16,279,639 | $18,423,479 | $3,828,405 | 94 | $1,346,131 |
| 2022 | $135,380,333 | $32,635,612 | $30,230,333 | $4,698,019 | 96 | $8,274,236 |
| 2021 | $136,797,897 | $24,231,048 | $18,371,092 | $4,382,526 | 96 | $11,616,808 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The mission stated in the foundation’s filing is to “promote giving, build endowment, and provide leadership to improve quality of life.” Its website describes three grantmaking focus areas: Health & Well-Being, Education, and Livable Communities. These encompass efforts such as reducing barriers to care, supporting learning, and strengthening neighborhoods through housing stability, mobility, and amenities.
The foundation’s 2025 grants also went to organizations working in arts and culture, animal-related activities, youth development, housing, and philanthropy. For example, the Brass Band of Battle Creek describes its mission as bringing joy, understanding, and inspiration through music, including youth brass education. The Humane Society of South Central Michigan says it provides a safe haven for animals without homes. These are grantees’ descriptions of their own work.
The foundation’s guide says eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits and tax-exempt public entities with programs operating in or serving the greater Battle Creek area, including Battle Creek, Springfield, and the townships of Bedford, Emmett, and Pennfield. Collaborative groups without their own 501(c)(3) status may apply through a qualified fiscal sponsor. The website says for-profit organizations are not eligible to apply, even with a fiscal sponsor.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 96 grants totaling $5,011,256. The grants ranged from $5,360 to $685,888, with a median grant of $17,965.
Among the largest reported grants were $685,888 to Encourage BC Operating (Internal) Community Project Fund for health, $536,446 to United Way of South Central Michigan for philanthropy, and $425,000 to Southern University System Foundation for education. Other large grants included $194,860 to Battle Creek Family YMCA for youth development and $183,600 to Brass Band of Battle Creek for arts, culture, and humanities. United Way describes its mission as bringing people, ideas, and resources together to create a flourishing, equitable life; the YMCA describes its work as building healthy spirit, mind, and body through programs for people of all ages and backgrounds.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists John Banks as chairperson, Robert Ridgeway as vice chairperson, Christopher Baldwin as second vice chairperson, Craig Owens as secretary, and Kjersten Sullivan as treasurer. It also lists Madison Cole, Ben Duval, Emerald Diamante, Michelle Fuller, and Daniel Graham as trustees.
Battle Creek Community Foundation is led by Mary Muliett, President & CEO - Partial Year on the 2025 filing; 3 of 18 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Mary Muliett
President & CEO - Partial Year
New on the 2025 filing
40 hrs/week
$113K (2025)
John Banks
Chairperson
Secretary → Vice Chairperson, 2023
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Ben Duval
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Daniel Graham
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hunter King
Trustee
Treasurer → 2nd Vice Chairperson, 2022
2nd Vice Chairperson → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Joe Miller
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda A. Morrison
Trustee
Vice Chairperson → Chairperson, 2023
Chairperson → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Linda M. Wendt
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stanley Horn
Trustee
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Emerald Diamante
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Michelle Fuller
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Madison Cole
Trustee
On filings since 2024
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth Schultheiss
Vice President of Fund Administrator & Data
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$102K (2024) → $111K (2025)
Kelsey Ramsey
Controller
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$101K (2024) → $107K (2025)
Christopher Baldwin
2nd Vice Chairperson
Trustee → Treasurer, 2023
Treasurer → 2nd Vice Chairperson, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Robert Ridgeway
Vice Chairperson
2nd Vice Chair → 2nd Vice Chairperson, 2024
2nd Vice Chairperson → Vice Chairperson, 2025
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Craig Owens
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kjersten Sullivan
Treasurer
Trustee → Treasurer, 2025
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (15)
- Former: Brenda L. Hunt (2021–2024) — President & CEO
- Former: Elishae S. Johnson (2021–2024) — Trustee -
- Former: Michael Glass (2021–2024) — Member at Large
- Former: Lana Smith (2024) — Trustee
- Former: Allison K. Graham (2021–2023) — Trustee
- Former: Annette Chapman (2021–2023) — Vice President Grantmaking & Scholar
- Former: Boonikka Herring (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Brian Coleman (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Preston Hicks (2021–2022) — Chairperson
- Former: Theresa L. Dawson (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Chigo Manu (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Elise Segal (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Kaden Nicholich (2022) — Trustee
- Former: Abby Green (2021) — Director of Finance
- Former: James L. Treadwell (2021) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2021–2025. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2025 filing was $113K, to Mary Muliett (President/CEO - Partial Year). 3 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Battle Creek Community Foundation
How much does Battle Creek Community Foundation give each year?
Battle Creek Community Foundation gave $5.0M across 96 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $2.9M across 80 grants.
What is Battle Creek Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Battle Creek Community Foundation's median grant in 2025 was $17,965, and its average grant was $52,201, across 96 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Battle Creek Community Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does Battle Creek Community Foundation give grants?
Battle Creek Community Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 85% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Louisiana (9%). The most frequent recipient cities were Battle Creek, MI (55 grants), Kalamazoo, MI (10 grants), Augusta, MI (3 grants) and Homer, MI (3 grants).
Does Battle Creek Community Foundation give general operating support?
Yes: 17% of Battle Creek Community Foundation's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (16 of 96) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "B - Education" (13 grants), "A - Arts, Culture, Humanities" (12 grants) and "P.00 - Human Service - Multipurpose/Other" (9 grants).
Who are Battle Creek Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Battle Creek Community Foundation's largest 2025 grantees include Encourage BC Operating (Internal) Community Project Fund ($685,888), United Way of South Central Michigan ($536,446) and Southern University System Foundation ($425,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. Together they received 33% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Battle Creek Community Foundation?
Battle Creek Community Foundation reported $130.1M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $12.5M.
What does Battle Creek Community Foundation fund?
The mission stated in the foundation’s filing is to “promote giving, build endowment, and provide leadership to improve quality of life.” Its website describes three grantmaking focus areas: Health & Well-Being, Education, and Livable Communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Battle Creek Community Foundation?
Competitive general grant applications are submitted through the foundation’s online grant portal. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Battle Creek Community Foundation's EIN?
Battle Creek Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2045459. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2021–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(6)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 29, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS September 29, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS September 29, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS December 11, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS September 26, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2021–2025
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Battle Creek Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Battle Creek Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 14, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/battle-creek-community-foundation-morg_d9565f96b18947c1b8fe2a6a5174b02e
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382045459_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Battle Creek Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/battle-creek-community-foundation-morg_d9565f96b18947c1b8fe2a6a5174b02e},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-14. Data licensed CC BY 4.0}
}The figures on this page are open data under CC BY 4.0: reuse them with credit to Grantable and a link. Download the data.
Figures come from Battle Creek Community Foundation's IRS filings (methodology). AI-written summaries, news items and logos are not covered by the open licence. Spot an error? Email hello@grantable.co.
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