Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is a public charity based in Buchanan, Michigan. It administers philanthropic funds and supports scholarships for area college students, along with grants to educational, community, and charitable organizations serving South Berrien and Cass Counties.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation at a glance
In short: Michigan Gateway Community Foundation gave $1.0M across 58 grants in 2026 (avg $18K), mostly in Michigan. 49% of 2026 grantees were new. Source: 2026 IRS Form 990.
- Annual giving (2026)
- $1,038,357
- +20.7% vs 2025
- Grants made (2026)
- 58
- +13.7% vs 2025
- Average grant
- $17,903
- +6.2% vs 2025
- Median grant
- $10,702
- Total assets
- $33,430,185
- +14.0% vs 2025
- New grantees (estimate)
- 49% first-time grantees (27 of 55, 2026)
- Primary geography
- Michigan (64% of itemized 2026 grant dollars)
- Latest 990 filing
- Form 990, 2026 View filing
Data from IRS Form 990, 2026; updated November 2026. New grantees are estimated by matching recipient names across years (methodology).
How to apply to Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
- How to Apply
-
Contact the foundation’s grants staff before submitting a request to discuss the process and application requirements. The foundation provides an application and offers feedback on draft proposals submitted at least ten business days before the deadline.
- Review Cycle
- The listed deadline for the currently open Community Grants and Youth Advisory Council cycles is August 1, 2026. The foundation’s grants overview also describes annual unrestricted-source cycles on February 1 and August 1 and a youth mini-grant cycle due November 1.
- Deadline
- The listed deadline for the currently open Community Grants and Youth Advisory Council cycles is August 1, 2026.
- Contact
Mailing address: 111 Days Avenue, Buchanan, MI 49017
Phone: (269) 695-3521
Website: https://mgcf.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 Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
Who Michigan Gateway Community Foundation funds
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2026
The largest 2026 recipient was Michigan State University ($76K). Together the top 10 received $488K.
Organizations only. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($73,625), which are not listed by name.
Grant Size Distribution
216 grants across all recorded years
The most common grant size was under $50K: 204 grants of 216 (94%).
Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation’s stated service area is South Berrien and Cass Counties, Michigan. Its website says grants generally support projects benefiting those counties.
Grant Distribution by State
Share of 2026 grant dollars across all 58 itemized grants.
Cities
Is Michigan Gateway Community Foundation open to new grantees?
49%
first-time grantees, 2026
In 2026, 27 of 55 grantees (49%) were first-time recipients. First grants averaged $15K; repeat grants $22K. How we count
Medians: $9K first-time, $15K repeat.
Estimate from itemized grant lists in IRS Form 990 filings (2020–2026). 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 2026, annual grant giving ranged from $591K (2022) to $1.0M (2026). In 2026 it made 58 grants totaling $1.0M.
Grants by year
Grant recipients and amounts by year
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan State University East Lansing, MI | Scholarship | $75,700 |
| Hydroseed Incrz Sports Turf | Infield Dirt Renovations | $65,697 |
| 2 individual scholarships Recipients not named | — | $66,875 |
| Southwestern Michigan College Dowagiac, MI | Scholarship | $51,514 |
| Wissco Irrigation Incinvisible Fence | Baseball Lighting | $51,480 |
| YMCA of Greater Michiana Niles, MI | Natural Playground Roof Structure | $45,856 |
| BSN Sports LLC | Baseball Flagpole | $44,896 |
| Diamond Lake Yacht Club Cassopolis, MI | Floating Deck | $44,869 |
| Western Michigan University Kalamazoo, MI | Scholarship | $43,563 |
| University of Michigan Ann Arbor, MI | Scholarship | $41,000 |
Ready to take the next step with Michigan Gateway Community Foundation?
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
| Filing year | Total Assets | Revenue | Expenses | Grants paid | Grants | Net Investment Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | $33,430,185 | $4,076,722 | $2,291,263 | $1,038,357 | 58 | $2,099,149 |
| 2025 | $29,315,775 | $2,900,564 | $1,829,312 | $860,058 | 51 | $1,848,587 |
| 2024 | $28,248,791 | $1,816,398 | $1,589,183 | $718,222 | 40 | $740,238 |
| 2023 | $24,549,519 | $1,805,104 | $1,693,060 | $684,582 | 35 | $854,920 |
| 2022 | $26,814,811 | $2,102,219 | $1,438,255 | $590,799 | 32 | $1,439,281 |
| 2021 | $25,940,239 | $1,267,445 | $1,352,725 | $609,374 | 32 | $694,470 |
| 2020 | $18,952,713 | $3,727,894 | $1,803,696 | $681,044 | 29 | $2,582,798 |
Research compiled by Grantable AI from public sources. Last updated September 2026.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation’s mission is “Fostering a community of philanthropy, for good, forever.” Its stated vision is “Creating a strong, vibrant, caring community.”
Its funding includes scholarships and grants for organizations. The foundation’s grant programs identify education and youth development, arts and culture, housing stability, services for vulnerable populations, and youth well-being as focus areas. Examples of supported organizations include Michigan College Access Network, whose stated goal is to increase the share of Michigan residents with postsecondary certificates or degrees, and Cass County Council on Aging, which says it works to enhance the quality of life of older adults and those responsible for their well-being. Rising Kites describes its work as providing encouragement, resources, and support to the Down syndrome community.
Grantmaking
In filing year 2025, the foundation reported 51 grants totaling $860,058. Awards ranged from $5,200 to $77,125, with a median of $10,749. The largest grants included $77,125 to Michigan State University and $53,159 to Southwestern Michigan College for scholarships; $45,200 to the City of Buchanan for equipment grants; and $44,000 to First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan. Other substantial awards included $36,500 to the University of Michigan for scholarships, $29,954 to YMCA of Greater Michiana for membership grants, and $24,479 to Help for Homes. Its 2026 filing, the latest on this page, reports 58 grants totaling $1 million.
The foundation holds two annual grant cycles from unrestricted sources, with deadlines of February 1 and August 1, as well as a youth-led mini-grant cycle due November 1. Its Community Grants Program serves South Berrien and Cass Counties and is open to nonprofit organizations and public agencies. Youth Advisory Council grants are for youth-focused work; eligible applicants include schools, libraries, youth-serving organizations, and community nonprofits. The foundation recommends that prospective applicants arrange a consultation before applying. Applicants may submit a draft proposal at least ten business days before the deadline for feedback. Applications undergo review, and submitting an expression of interest or application does not guarantee funding.
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
The 2025 filing lists Michael Rowland as president and secretary, Karin Falkenstein as chairman, and Jane Brandstatter as vice-chairman. It also lists Monse Avina and Bailey Roeder as youth representatives, and Denise Peters, Hope Anderson, Kathy Rossow, Patricia Robinson, and Randy Hendrixson as trustees.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation is led by Michael Rowland, President & Secretary since 2024 (on filings since 2021); 1 of 13 officers listed in 2026 is compensated.
Officers on the 2026 filing
Michael Rowland
President & Secretary
President & CEO → President An, 2022
President An → President & Secretary, 2024
On filings since 2021
40 hrs/week
$50K (2021) → $95K (2026)
Karin Falkenstein
Chairman
Trustee → Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Denise Peters
Trustee
Trustee → Trsustee, 2022
Trsustee → Trustee, 2023
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Kathy Rossow
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Stephen K. Woods
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Tex Sheteron
Trustee
On filings since 2020
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Patricia Robinson
Trustee
Trustee → Superintende, 2023
Superintende → Trustee, 2024
On filings since 2021
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Hope Anderson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Randy Hendrixson
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Sara Senica
Trustee
On filings since 2023
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Jane Brandstatter
Vice Chairman
Trustee → Vice Chairman, 2023
On filings since 2020
2 hrs/week
No compensation reported
Aiden Bradfield
Youth Representative
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Lyla Holtgren
Youth Representative
New on the 2026 filing
1 hr/week
No compensation reported
Former officers (16)
- Former: Bailey Roeder (2025) — Youth Representative
- Former: Monse Avina (2025) — Youth Representative
- Former: Lorraibe Holtgren (2024) — Youth Representative
- Former: Nathan Becraft (2024) — Youth Representative
- Former: Cora Wagner (2023) — Youth Representative
- Former: Olivia Stanger (2023) — Youth Representative
- Former: Judy Truesdell (2020–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Louis Desenberg (2020–2022) — Chairman
- Former: Caden Mattingly (2021–2022) — Youth Representative
- Former: Charles Spilman (2021–2022) — Trustee
- Former: Serynn Nowlin (2021–2022) — Youth Representative
- Former: Jake Robertson (2020) — Youth Representative
- Former: Lucille Arbanas (2020) — Youth Representative
- Former: Robert N. Habicht (2020) — President & CEO
- Former: Rudy Kappe (2020) — Trustee
- Former: Tim Donahue (2020) — Trustee
Data from IRS Form 990 filings, 2020–2026. "On filings since" is the earliest filing we hold that lists the person; hours are average hours per week as reported.
Compensation Overview
From 2026 IRS filing
The highest reported compensation on the 2026 filing was $95K, to Michael Rowland (President & Secretary).
Frequently asked questions about Michigan Gateway Community Foundation
How much does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation give each year?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation gave $1.0M across 58 grants in 2026, according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. In 2025 it gave $860K across 51 grants.
What is Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's typical grant size?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's median grant in 2026 was $10,702, and its average grant was $17,903, across 58 grants on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Organizations receiving their first grant from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation that year got $15K on average.
Where does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation give grants?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation gives mostly in Michigan: 64% of the grant dollars itemized on its 2026 IRS Form 990 went to recipients there. The most frequent recipient cities were Buchanan, MI (7 grants), Niles, MI (4 grants), St Joseph, MI (3 grants) and Dowagiac, MI (2 grants).
Does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation give general operating support?
Not in 2026: none of the 58 grants with a stated purpose on Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's 2026 IRS Form 990 were described as general or operating support. Recurring purposes include "Scholarship" (25 grants).
Who are Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's largest grantees?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's largest 2026 grantees include Michigan State University ($75,700), Hydroseed Incrz Sports Turf ($65,697) and Southwestern Michigan College ($51,514), according to its 2026 IRS Form 990. It also paid 3 individual scholarships ($73,625), which are not listed by name. Together they received 19% of its itemized 2026 grant dollars.
How large is Michigan Gateway Community Foundation?
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation reported $33.4M in total assets on its 2026 IRS Form 990. Its revenue that year was $4.1M.
What does Michigan Gateway Community Foundation fund?
The foundation’s mission is “Fostering a community of philanthropy, for good, forever.” Its stated vision is “Creating a strong, vibrant, caring community.” See mission & focus areas ↑
How do I apply for a grant from Michigan Gateway Community Foundation?
Contact the foundation’s grants staff before submitting a request to discuss the process and application requirements. Eligibility and process details are in the grantmaking section of this profile. See how to apply ↑
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 2020–2026.
Data last updated November 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990 filings. Research dossier generated September 2026.
Data update history
(8)
When this profile's IRS filing data changed on Grantable
- Added Form 990 for fiscal year 2026 (received by the IRS September 14, 2026)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2020 (received by the IRS August 13, 2020)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2021 (received by the IRS September 1, 2021)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2022 (received by the IRS November 22, 2022)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2023 (received by the IRS January 29, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2024 (received by the IRS September 16, 2024)
- Updated Form 990 for fiscal year 2025 (received by the IRS October 15, 2025)
- IRS filings on file for fiscal years 2020–2025
Live grants for the work Michigan Gateway Community Foundation funds
Philanthropy, Voluntarism & Grantmaking Open opportunities, soonest deadline first.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Michigan Gateway Community Foundation's focus areas in our free grants database
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Cite this profile
Grantable. (2026). Michigan Gateway Community Foundation funder profile. GrantGraph. Retrieved November 6, 2026, from https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-gateway-community-foundation-morg_e58c9fd02adf46e392988d93cc52b069
BibTeX
@misc{grantable_382180730_2026,
author = {{Grantable}},
title = {{Michigan Gateway Community Foundation funder profile}},
howpublished = {GrantGraph},
year = {2026},
url = {https://grantable.co/funders/michigan-gateway-community-foundation-morg_e58c9fd02adf46e392988d93cc52b069},
note = {Accessed 2026-11-06. 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 Michigan Gateway 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.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation down — hundreds of funders to go?