Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Berrien Community Foundation Inc is a public charity based in St. Joseph, Michigan. Established in 1952, it makes grants to support organizations and institutions serving Berrien County residents.
Berrien Community Foundation Inc at a glance
In short: Berrien Community Foundation Inc gave $9.2M across 201 grants in 2025 (avg $46K), mostly in Michigan. 31% of 2025 grantees were new. Source: 2025 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2025)
- $9,241,775
- +25.5% vs 2024
- Grants made (2025)
- 201
- +4.1% vs 2024
- Average grant
- $45,979
- +20.5% vs 2024
- Median grant
- $18,110
- Total assets
- $125,844,228
- +14.9% vs 2024
- New grantees (estimate)
- 31% first-time grantees (62 of 197, 2025)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (76% 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 Berrien Community Foundation Inc
- How to Apply
-
For Good applications are submitted through the foundation’s online application process. Applicants can apply in either of the two annual cycles, but the 2026 March 1 and August 1 deadlines have passed. The For Good program page provides separate guidelines for Major and Minor requests.
- Review Cycle
- The next stated deadlines for the Carolyn’s Kids Grant, Howard Youth Endowment Program Grant, and Howard Facilities Program Endowment Grant are July 1, 2027, June 30, 2027, and June 30, 2027, respectively. The foundation lists March 1 and August 1 as annual For Good deadlines.
- Deadline
- The next stated deadlines for the Carolyn’s Kids Grant, Howard Youth Endowment Program Grant, and Howard Facilities…
- Next open deadline
- May 1, 2027 (Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant)
- Contact
Mailing address: 211 Hilltop Road Suite 117, St Joseph, MI 49085
Phone: (269) 983-3304
Website: https://berriencommunity.org
Application details from Grantable's research on the foundation's public materials; confirm on its website before applying.
Open Grants
22 open opportunities from Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant
Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to $75K
Deadline
Expected ~May
Based on past cycles
Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grants
Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Amount
US $75,000
Deadline
Expected ~May
Based on past cycles
BCF- For Good Grants
Berrien Community Foundation Inc
Amount
Up to US $15,000
Deadline
Deadline not published
Who Berrien Community Foundation Inc funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
The largest 2025 recipient was St Joseph Community Park Foundation ($872K). Together the top 10 received $4.0M.
Organizations only. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($114,565), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
900 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 725 grants of 900 (81%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s website describes its grant opportunities as serving Berrien County, Michigan. In 2025, 76% of reported grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan; other leading recipient states were Ohio (6%), Indiana (4%), Washington, D.C. (4%), and Illinois (2%).
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2025 grant dollars across all 201 itemized grants.
States
Cities
Is Berrien Community Foundation Inc open to new grantees?
31%
first-time grantees, 2025
In 2025, 62 of 197 grantees (31%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $31K; repeat grants $54K. How we count
Medians: $10K first-time, $23K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2025). 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 2020 to 2025, annual grant giving ranged from $5.9M (2023) to $10.0M (2021). In 2025 it made 201 grants totaling $9.2M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| St Joseph Community Park Foundation St Joseph, MI | General Support, Kaleidoscope Playground at Kiwanis Park | $871,813 |
| Curious Kids' Museum St Joseph, MI | General support, capital campaign, curious kids' museum on main street, outdoor garden & musical stairs support, capital campaign "building curiosity-play a part, fund the fund | $578,337 |
| The University of Toledo Foundation Toledo, OH | Capital Campaign | $575,000 |
| New Buffalo Area Schools New Buffalo, MI | Gelli printmaking art project, empowering young students: access to feminine hygiene products at new buffalo elementary school, baseline habitat assessment and vascular plant inventory, general support for softball fields | $364,500 |
| Project Hope - the People to People Health Foundat Washington, DC | General Operations | $350,000 |
| Cornerstone Public Asset Fund Inc Benton Harbor, MI | Wee course construction, 2025 whirlpool community charity golf event, general support | $342,359 |
| Berrien County Parks Department St Joseph, MI | General support, love Creek county park, for use by Berrien county parks department to enhance Berrien county parks | $337,036 |
| United Way of Southwest Michigan St Joseph, MI | General support, to support dolly parton's imagination library, in general support of the rock the boat event, 2025 annual campaign, united online platform, cares fund | $237,325 |
| Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra Benton Harbor, MI | Education concert 2026, spendable distribution, general support, spendable distribution, spendable distribution, multiple projects, area of greatest need, 2025-2026 season support | $207,353 |
| City of St Joseph St Joseph, MI | St. Joseph public safety - operation door breach, st. Joseph public library - hoopla program, maud preston palenske memorial library | $165,012 |
Ready to take the next step with Berrien Community Foundation Inc?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | $125,844,228 | $18,583,398 | $11,763,279 | $9,241,775 | 201 | $6,073,608 |
| 2024 | $109,491,825 | $22,676,067 | $10,043,260 | $7,365,036 | 193 | $4,949,074 |
| 2023 | $91,887,707 | $10,568,745 | $8,202,775 | $5,907,678 | 193 | $3,264,523 |
| 2022 | $80,848,791 | $11,315,608 | $8,264,365 | $6,197,489 | 154 | $2,085,517 |
| 2021 | $93,389,245 | $44,208,261 | $11,739,860 | $9,990,793 | 159 | $20,159,720 |
| 2020 | $71,725,286 | $18,065,878 | $7,829,586 | $6,736,268 | 184 | $2,018,813 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated October 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “to connect the power of people who care with causes and organizations that strengthen our communities.” Its vision is to build strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities.
For Good Grants cover arts, children, community improvement and special needs, education, environment, health, seniors, and youth leadership and development. The foundation says it particularly values programs that address critical local needs, emphasize prevention, encourage collaboration, and can be sustained without continued foundation funding. It gives low priority to capital campaigns.
Grantees’ stated missions illustrate the range of organizations receiving support. Friends of Berrien County Trails says it supports the construction and maintenance of trails in Berrien County and connecting counties. The an individual recipient Symphony Orchestra says it provides music appreciation and educates youth about music. United Way of an individual recipient says it works in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties to create a united and resilient community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 201 grants totaling $9,241,775. Grant amounts ranged from $5,290 to $871,813, with a median of $18,110.
Among the largest reported grants were $871,813 to St. Joseph Community Park Foundation for general support and the Kaleidoscope Playground at Kiwanis Park; $578,337 to Curious Kids’ Museum for general support and capital campaign purposes; $575,000 to The University of Toledo Foundation for a capital campaign; and $364,500 to New Buffalo Area Schools for several projects and general support. Other large grants included $350,000 to Project HOPE – The People to People Health Foundation for general operations and $237,325 to United Way of an individual recipient for general support and specified programs and events.
The For Good Grants offer Major awards of up to $15,000 and Minor awards of up to $1,500. Eligible applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofits, schools, religious organizations doing community work, and government organizations serving Berrien County. Organizations may receive one For Good Grant per calendar year; after receiving awards for three consecutive calendar years, they must take a year off from applying. The foundation generally does not fund annual fundraising campaigns, political purposes, debts or liabilities, grants to individuals, endowment funds, or efforts requiring long-term financial support. Requests for general operating expenses must document the need and include a plan for future sustainability.
Other opportunities listed by the foundation include the Alamar Nonprofit Sustainability Grant, a $75,000 award paid over three years; the annual $50,000 Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant; and Golden Acorn Classroom Mini Grants of up to $500 for Berrien County teachers. It also lists annual Carolyn’s Kids and Howard endowment grant programs.
The foundation requires U.S. grantees to complete a grant evaluation addressing use of funds. Its award letters state the grant purpose and require grantees to return funds not spent for that purpose.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Sarah Jollay as chair, Ray Lipscomb as vice chair, Alexis Harris as treasurer, and Philip Molloy as secretary. Trustees listed are Gloria Ender, Kelly Ferneau, John Guinness, Carolyn Hanson, Christina Hardy, and Hon. Tom Nelson.
Berrien Community Foundation Inc is led by Lisa Cripps-Downey, President on every filing since 2020; 2 of 15 officers listed in 2025 are compensated.
Officers on the 2025 filing
Lisa Cripps-Downey
President
On filings since 2020
60 hrs/week
$110K (2020) → $167K (2025)
Sarah Jollay
Chair
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2022
Vice Chair → Chair, 2025
On filings since 2020
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Morgan Callahan
Finance Director
On filings since 2024
40 hrs/week
$105K (2024) → $114K (2025)
Carolyn Hanson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Christina Hardy
Trustee
Treasurer → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Gloria Ender
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
John Guinness
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Phil Maki
Trustee
Vice Chair → Chair, 2022
Chair → Trustee, 2025
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Tom Nelson
Trustee
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Karen Ytterberg
Trustee
On filings since 2021
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Elizabeth McCree
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Kelly Ferneau
Trustee
On filings since 2023
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Ray Lipscomb
Vice Chair
Trustee → Secretary, 2022
Secretary → Vice Chair, 2025
On filings since 2021
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Alexis Harris
Treasurer
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Philip Molloy
Secretary
Trustee → Secretary, 2025
On filings since 2023
5 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (3)
- Former: Mabel Mayfield (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Robert Harrison (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: William Schalk (2020–2022) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2025. "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 $167K, to Lisa Cripps-Downey (President). 2 officers or directors reported compensation on that filing.
Frequently asked questions about Berrien Community Foundation Inc
How much does Berrien Community Foundation Inc give each year?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc gave $9.2M across 201 grants in 2025, according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. In 2024 it gave $7.4M across 193 grants.
What is Berrien Community Foundation Inc's typical grant size?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc's median grant in 2025 was $18,110, and its average grant was $45,979, across 201 grants on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Berrien Community Foundation Inc that year got $31K on average.
Where does Berrien Community Foundation Inc give grants?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc gives mostly in Michigan: 76% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2025 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The next largest state was Ohio (6%). The most frequent recipient cities were Benton Harbor, MI (37 grants), St Joseph, MI (35 grants), Stevensville, MI (7 grants) and Niles, MI (6 grants).
Does Berrien Community Foundation Inc give general operating support?
Yes: 61% of Berrien Community Foundation Inc's 2025 grants with a stated purpose (122 of 201) were for general or operating support, per its 2025 IRS Form 990. Recurring purposes include "Educational Support" (4 grants) and ""We See You" Grant" (3 grants).
Who are Berrien Community Foundation Inc's largest grantees?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc's largest 2025 grantees include St Joseph Community Park Foundation ($871,813), Curious Kids' Museum ($578,337) and The University of Toledo Foundation ($575,000), according to its 2025 IRS Form 990. It also paid 5 grants to individuals ($114,565), which are not listed by name. Together they received 22% of its itemized 2025 grant dollars.
How large is Berrien Community Foundation Inc?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc reported $125.8M in total assets on its 2025 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $18.6M.
What does Berrien Community Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation’s mission is “to connect the power of people who care with causes and organizations that strengthen our communities.” Its vision is to build strong, vibrant, and sustainable communities. See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Berrien Community Foundation Inc?
For Good applications are submitted through the foundation’s online application process. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
What is Berrien Community Foundation Inc's EIN?
Berrien Community Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-6057160. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Data last updated October 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated October 2026.
Data update history
(7)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS April 15, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS May 19, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS April 4, 2023)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS April 13, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS April 24, 2025)
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS April 29, 2026)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2024
Explore Open Grants
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Berrien Community Foundation Inc funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved October 12, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/berrien-community-foundation-inc-morg_1cc78bcc55df414691242bf4607c9c86
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_386057160_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Berrien Community Foundation Inc funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/berrien-community-foundation-inc-morg_1cc78bcc55df414691242bf4607c9c86},
note = {Accessed 2026-10-12. 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 Berrien Community Foundation Inc'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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