Frederick S. Upton Foundation BIG IDEA Grant

Cycle

Annual

Current deadline

April 1, 2027

Tracked since

September 2026

Deadlines typically fall in: April

From the program guidelines: “Upton Foundation BIG IDEA Grant (via Berrien Community Foundation, MI) provides each year one $50,000 and one $25,000 grant to nonprofits serving Berrien County, MI to support innovative programming and new ideas; process begins with an LOI due April 1.”

Grants in 2025

201

Total given

$9.24M

Median grant

$18K

Range

$5,290–$872K

• 76% of its 2025 grant dollars went to recipients in Michigan, where this grant's project is located.
• By dollars: Michigan 76%, Ohio 6%, Indiana 4%. Top recipient cities: Benton Harbor, MI; St Joseph, MI; Stevensville, MI.
• 46% of grants with a stated purpose were for general or operating support.
• 31% of recipients were new grantees, not repeat recipients.

Example grants

• St Joseph Community Park Foundation · St Joseph, MI

  General support, kaleidoscope playground at kiwanis park

  $872K

• Curious Kids' Museum · St Joseph, MI

  General support, capital campaign, curious kids' museum on main street, outdoor garden…

  $578K

• The University of Toledo Foundation · Toledo, OH

  Capital campaign

  $575K

• New Buffalo Area Schools · New Buffalo, MI

  Gelli printmaking art project, empowering young students: access to feminine hygiene…

  $365K

• Project Hope - the People to People Health Foundat · Washington, DC

  General operations

  $350K