Nearly $70,000 in grants were announced this week for organizations in southern Berrien County and Cass County by the Michigan Gateway Community Foundation. President and CEO Michael Rowland tells us the group supports initiatives that focus on health, education, and community development.
“We started off as the Buchanan Area Fund for many years,” Rowland said. “We were started by a group of Clark executives, and in the 90s we transitioned into also serving Niles and Cass County. A lot of people know us from the Buchanan Promise, which was a gift from the late Walter Schirmer, Jr., which provides a $15,000 scholarship for every Buchanan student. So, that’s been a huge part of what we do, that educational piece.”
Among the grants announced this week are $20,000 for the city of Niles to help low income and senior citizens make home repairs and $10,000 to the city of Buchanan for Days Avenue improvements. Other recipients include Buchanan Community Schools, the Niles Salvation Army, and the Cass County Backpack Spectacular. The next grant application period will open in August.
You can find out more right here.
Complete list of latest grant recipients:
a. $10,303.41 to the Salvation Army of Niles to provide funding for the Feeding His Sheep program. Providing meal bag contents for local students. Funds made available through the Niles Area Fund, Ann S Cone Fund and the Niles Youth Advisory Council Fund.
b. $15,000 to the Buchanan District Library to provide tutoring to Buchanan Area Students as well as contributing to their Capital Building Campaign. Funds made available through the Walt Schirmer Jr and Marjorie H Desenberg Fund. The B.R. & Marjorie H. Desenberg Fund made available to the tutoring program.
c. $3,500 for the 2023 Cass County Backpack Spectacular hosted by United Way of Southwest Michigan. These funds will be utilized to provide new backpacks and grade-appropriate school supplies for 850 Cass County students who live in low-income households in Cass County. Funds made available through the Cass Youth Advisory Council Fund.
d. $2,500 to fund the One Buchanan Equity & Inclusion seminars for the purpose of fostering cultural fluency and competence in the Buchanan Community, as well as surrounding areas. Funds provided through the Buchanan Area Fund and Buchanan Youth Advisory Council Fund.
e. $10,000 to The City of Buchanan for Days Avenue improvements including artwork and lighting in accordance with the plans outlined in the strategic plan. Funds made available through the Walt Schirmer Jr Fund, George & LaVonne Sullivan Endowment.
f. $8,113 to Buchanan Community Schools as final pledge payment for tuition reimbursement for special education certification. This grant was made possible through the Buchanan Education Fund.
g. $20,000 for the City of Niles to help low income and senior citizens make home repairs they otherwise would not be able to afford. Funds made possible through the Help4Homes Fund serving the Niles Community.
