Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is a tax-exempt public charity and community foundation based in Buchanan, Michigan. Incorporated in 1978 as the Buchanan Area Foundation, the organization has evolved into a full-service, accredited foundation serving Southern Berrien County (including Buchanan and Niles) and all of Cass County. The foundation enables donors to establish charitable funds and make philanthropic contributions to support issues and organizations they care about within their communities.
Financial Overview
From 2025 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$29.3M
+3.8% YoY
Annual Giving
$860K
+19.7% YoY
Grant Count
51
+27.5% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$17K
-6.1% YoY
Mission & Focus Areas
Mission: Fostering a community of philanthropy, for good, forever.
The foundation receives and administers funds for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes. Primary funding areas include:
- Scholarships for area college students
- Educational initiatives
- Community and charitable organizations
- Arts and culture
- Healthcare
- Human services
- Youth programs
Grantmaking
The foundation offers various fund options for donors, including donor-advised funds, allowing donors to recommend grants to nonprofit organizations of their choice. Donors benefit from the highest available tax deductions for charitable contributions and the foundation handles all record-keeping, IRS reporting, accounting, and investment management.
Ready to take the next step with Michigan Gateway Community Foundation?
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
- Buchanan, Michigan
- Niles, Michigan
- Southern Berrien County, Michigan
- Cass County, Michigan
- Primary service area: South Berrien and Cass County, Michigan
Grant Distribution by State
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
Assets & Revenue (2025):
- Total assets: $29,315,775
- Total revenues: $2,900,564
- Total expenses: $1,829,312
- Total giving: $1,053,509
Staffing:
- 5 employees (as of 2025)
Tax Status:
- 501(c)(3) organization
- IRS ruling year: 1978
- EIN: 38-2180730
Rating:
- Four-Star rating with 92% score (based on Accountability & Finance metrics)
| Metric | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $29,315,775 | $28,248,791 | $24,549,519 |
| Revenue | $2,900,564 | $1,816,398 | $1,805,104 |
| Expenses | $1,829,312 | $1,589,183 | $1,693,060 |
| Qualifying Distributions | — | — | — |
| Net Investment Income | $1,848,587 | $740,238 | $854,920 |
| Distributable Amount | — | — | — |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2025
Grant Size Distribution
189 grants across all recorded years
Open Grants
4 open opportunities from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Community Grants Program
MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
August 1, 2026
MGCF Online Scholarship
MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation Grant
MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
Amount
Varies
Deadline
Rolling / Open
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2025 grants, the largest include Michigan State University ($77,125), Southwestern Michigan College ($53,159), Grand Valley State University ($49,250).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| ARIZONA STATE UNIVERSITY TEMPE, AZ | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS | $5,875 |
| BUCHANAN AREA SENIOR CENTER BUCHANAN, MI | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS | $6,023 |
| BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS BUCHANAN, MI | MULTIPLE EDUCATION PURPOSES | $10,749 |
| BUCHANAN DISTRICT LIBRARY BUCHANAN, MI | TUTOR/CAMP BUILDING | $17,271 |
| CASS COUNTY COUNCIL ON AGING CASSOPOLIS, MI | AGENCY GRANT | $10,382 |
| CHICKAMING OPEN LANDS SAWYER, MI | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS | $10,000 |
| CITY OF BUCHANAN BUCHANAN, MI | EQUIPMENT GRANTS | $45,200 |
| FERNWOOD BOTANCIAL GARDENS NILES, MI | NEW EQUIP & MAINTENANCE | $15,907 |
| FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY BIG RAPIDS, MI | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS | $17,750 |
| GLEN OAKS COMMUNITY COLLEGE CENTREVILLE, MI | SCHOLARSHIP GRANTS | $8,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Robert Habicht (Principal Officer)
- Hope Anderson (Board Member)
- J Kanczuzewski (Board Member)
The foundation is governed by a Board of Directors with representatives from each geographic area served (Buchanan, Niles, and Cass County).
Compensation Overview
From 2025 IRS filing
From 2025 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| MICHAEL ROWLAND | PRESIDENT & SECRETARY | 40 | $87,206 |
| KARIN FALKENSTEIN | CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| JANE BRANDSTATTER | VICE-CHAIRMAN | 2 | — |
| MONSE AVINA | YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE | 1 | — |
| BAILEY ROEDER | YOUTH REPRESENTATIVE | 1 | — |
| DENISE PETERS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| HOPE ANDERSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| KATHY ROSSOW | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| PATRICIA ROBINSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| RANDY HENDRIXSON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| SARA SENICA | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| STEPHEN K WOODS | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
| TEX SHETERON | TRUSTEE | 1 | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
In March 2025, the Board of Trustees approved grants totaling more than $145,000 to organizations in Berrien and Cass counties, including support for home repairs, youth programs, arts initiatives, and community services.
The foundation offers scholarship applications for area college students and maintains active grant opportunities including mini-grants and standard grants.
Did you know that MI Student Aid offers 14 different grant ... - InstagramContact Information
- Address: 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, MI 49107
- Phone: 269-695-3521
- Website: www.mgcf.org
- Email: info@mgcf.org
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation fund?
**Mission:** Fostering a community of philanthropy, for good, forever. The foundation receives and administers funds for scientific, educational, and charitable purposes. Primary funding areas include: • Scholarships for area college students • Educational initiatives • Community and charitable organizations • Arts and culture • Healthcare • Human services • Youth programs
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation?
**Grant Activity:** • Total giving (2025): $1,053,509 • Total assets (2025): $29,315,775 • Typical award range: $5,200–$93,890 **Recent Grants (March 2025):** • Michigan State University: $77,125 (scholarship grants) • Southwestern Michigan College Foundation: $53,159 (scholarship grants) • City of Niles: $24,479.10 (home repairs for low-income and senior-owned homes) • The Salvation Army: $20,000 (rental and utility assistance) • Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce: $7,000 (digital storefronts f…
Where does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation make grants?
• Buchanan, Michigan • Niles, Michigan • Southern Berrien County, Michigan • Cass County, Michigan • Primary service area: South Berrien and Cass County, Michigan
What size grants does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation award?
In 2025, Michigan Gateway Community Foundation awarded 51 grants totaling $860K — an average of about $17K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
What is Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's EIN?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 38-2180730. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2025.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
Related Funders
Similar funders by location and focus area
Kadant Johnson Inc Scholarship Foun
THREE RIVERS, MI
Assets
—
Grants
3
Total Given
$5K
Thomas W Itin Charitable Trust
KEEGO HARBOR, MI
Assets
—
Grants
11
Total Given
$4K
Robert a Leonard Jr Charitable Trus
SOUTHFIELD, MI
Assets
—
Grants
2
Total Given
$11K
Homer Youth Athletic Association
TEKONSHA, MI
Assets
—
Grants
1
Total Given
$4K
Dr Shanti Swarup & Mrs Chawla Devi
TROY, MI
Assets
—
Grants
9
Total Given
$3K
Bojrab Family Foundation
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, MI
Assets
$185K
Grants
9
Total Given
$27K
Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
What could you do with Michigan Gateway Community Foundation on Grantable?
- Assess strategic fit with your organization
- Draft a tailored letter of inquiry
- Find open RFPs from this funder
- Monitor for new funding opportunities
Go from researching Michigan Gateway Community Foundation to a real strategy.