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Battle Creek Community Foundation’s giving shows a strong local pattern: 91% of its grants go to recipients in Michigan, and its largest recent awards have supported Battle Creek institutions, regional health systems, and community initiatives. The foundation is a public charity with a community foundation structure, and its work combines grantmaking, scholarship support, donor-advised fund activity, and leadership programs tied to local priorities. Among the larger recent grants are support for Encourage Bc Operating (internal) Community Project Fund, Battle Creek Family YMCA, and The Music Center of South Central Michigan. Other major awards have gone to organizations serving health, housing, education, and community development needs in Battle Creek and nearby cities such as Kalamazoo and Marshall. Scholarships are also part of its portfolio, including a universal scholarship application and named scholarship programs. The foundation also funds capacity-building and leadership development, including a nonprofit leadership capacity fund and a fellowship for community leadership. This mix suggests a funder that supports both direct services and the organizational infrastructure behind them, alongside programs for students and local residents.
Education appears across several parts of the portfolio, from scholarships for students and adult residents to competitive general grants and school-related awards. In one recent education grant, Battle Creek College Access Network received $320,270 in 2023 for instruction-focused work, while Homer Community Schools received $203,213 in 2023 for education and instruction. Health and human services are another visible priority. Grace Health received $309,500 in 2023 for health, general, and rehabilitative services, and Bronson Battle Creek received $177,850 in 2023 for the same broad category. The foundation also supports housing stability: Encourage Bc received $182,707 in 2023 for housing and shelter, and Haven of Rest Ministries received $130,740 in 2025 for housing and shelter. Arts and culture is also present in the grant record, with awards to The Music Center of South Central Michigan and Brass Band of Battle Creek.
Typical grants cluster around a mid-sized range, with p25 at $9,999, a median of $20,215, and p75 at $42,054. The recent grants list also shows a wide spread above that range, including several awards over $100,000 and a small number well above $300,000. Battle Creek Community Foundation operates as a public charity and mixed community foundation, with both open and administered programs. The data also shows recurring relationships: several organizations appear in multiple years, including Battle Creek College Access Network, Battle Creek Family YMCA, Binder Park Zoo, Bronson Battle Creek, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, United Way of South Central Michigan, and Encourage Bc Operating (internal) Community Project Fund. The foundation’s mini-grants, competitive general grants, scholarships, and donor-advised fund opportunities are all described as accepting unsolicited requests.
$5M
$130.1M
$12.5M
$14.2M
Most grants fall between $10K and $42K, with a median of $20K.
25th Percentile
$10K
Median
$20K
75th Percentile
$42K
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Grantmaking is heavily concentrated in Michigan, with 91% of grants going to recipients in the HQ state. Battle Creek accounts for many of the named recipients, including Grace Health, The Music Center of South Central Michigan, Brass Band of Battle Creek, Haven of Rest Ministries, and Battle Creek Family YMCA. Kalamazoo and Marshall also appear in the recent grants list, along with Homer. Outside Michigan, the recent-grants data includes Baton Rouge, Philadelphia, and Chicago. The recipient-country distribution is entirely U.S.-based.
Its grant record includes health and rehabilitative services, education and instructional programming, youth development and recreation, arts and culture, housing and shelter, animal-related activities, and philanthropy infrastructure. The foundation also supports scholarships, nonprofit capacity building, and community initiatives in the Battle Creek area.
Yes. It administers a scholarship program with a universal scholarship application and named scholarships, and it also has a Bearcat Scholarship Program. The scholarship programs cover students in the Battle Creek and Calhoun County area, including graduating seniors and adult residents.
Very concentrated locally. The data shows 91% of grants go to recipients in Michigan, and the top state by grant count is also Michigan. Named recipient cities include Battle Creek, Kalamazoo, Marshall, Homer, Baton Rouge, Philadelphia, and Chicago.
The middle of its grant-size distribution sits at $20,215, with the 25th percentile at $9,999 and the 75th percentile at $42,054. The recent-grants list also includes awards far above that range, showing that the foundation makes both smaller responsive grants and much larger institutional grants.
Several grantees appear across multiple years in the recent-grants data, including Battle Creek College Access Network, Battle Creek Family YMCA, Binder Park Zoo, Bronson Battle Creek, Kalamazoo Community Foundation, United Way of South Central Michigan, and Encourage Bc Operating (internal) Community Project Fund. That pattern suggests repeat support for some organizations alongside other one-off awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Current and upcoming funding from Battle Creek Community Foundation that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Battle Creek area nonprofit organizations (details in JLBC Fund Opportunity Information PDF).
Deadline: Available until January 2027 or until funds are expended.
Who can apply: Nonprofit organizations and fiscally sponsored community groups working in BCCF focus areas. Specific eligibility and required documents available in portal resources.
Deadline: Rolling review (no single deadline).
Who can apply: Must be a federally recognized 501(c)(3) public charity, including churches, a community group fiscally sponsored by a 501(c)(3), or another tax-exempt organization such as a school or municipality. For-profit organizations are not eligible. Proposed projects must benefit the greater Battle Creek community and align with one or more funding focus areas.
Deadline: FY26-27 Round 1: LOI opens Feb 23, 2026; LOI closes Mar 11, 2026 at 12:00 pm; application deadline Apr 8, 2026 at 12:00 pm. FY26-27 Round 2: LOI opens Aug 24, 2026; LOI closes Sep 9, 2026 at 12:00 pm; application deadline Oct 7, 2026 at 12:00 pm.
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Create a free accountDeadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ENCOURAGE BC OPERATING (INTERNAL) COMMUNITY PROJECT FUND | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $685,888 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $536,446 | 2025 | T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION |
| SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY SYSTEM FOUNDATION | BATON ROUGE, LA | $425,000 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| BATTLE CREEK FAMILY YMCA | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $194,860 | 2025 | O - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $185,785 | 2025 | T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION |
| BRASS BAND OF BATTLE CREEK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $183,600 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $171,184 | 2025 | D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| BINDER PARK ZOO | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $159,447 | 2025 | D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| KAPPA ALPHA PSI FOUNDATION INC | PHILADELPHIA, PA | $150,000 | 2025 | T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION |
| THE MUSIC CENTER OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $133,360 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $130,740 | 2025 | L - HOUSING, SHELTER |
| BRONSON HEALTH FOUNDATION | KALAMAZOO, MI | $124,208 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| CALHOUN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT | MARSHALL, MI | $104,429 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| SHRINERS HOSPITALS FOR CHILDREN | CHICAGO, IL | $100,040 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| BATTLE CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $77,829 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| SAFE PLACE | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $77,000 | 2025 | L - HOUSING, SHELTER |
| VICTORY LIFE CHURCH | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $55,794 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| ART CENTER OF BATTLE CREEK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $54,140 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| BATTLE CREEK AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $52,604 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY - DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION | EAST LANSING, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $50,000 | 2025 | N - RECREATION, LEISURE & SPORTS, ATHLETICS |
| CHARITABLE UNION | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $47,250 | 2025 | P.00 - HUMAN SERVICE - MULTIPURPOSE/OTHER |
| BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $45,280 | 2025 | O - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT |
| THE KOOL FAMILY COMMUNITY CENTER | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $41,260 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| SHERMAN LAKE YMCA OUTDOOR CENTER | AUGUSTA, MI | $40,200 | 2025 | N - RECREATION, LEISURE & SPORTS, ATHLETICS |
| KELLOGG COMMUNITY COLLEGE FOUNDATION | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $37,685 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| WHAT A DO THEATRE | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $37,000 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| LEILA ARBORETUM SOCIETY | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $34,300 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| AMERICAN RED CROSS OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | KALAMAZOO, MI | $34,153 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| BATTLE CREEK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $31,776 | 2025 | W - PUBLIC AFFAIRS/SOCIETY BENEFIT |
| ST PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $30,710 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $30,610 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| THE HORSE PROTECTION LEAGUE | ARVADA, CO | $30,000 | 2025 | D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION | LANSING, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | S - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT/CAPACITY BUILDING |
| ALL SPECIES KINSHIP | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES |
| MILK LIKE MINE COMMUNITY BIRTHING & BREASTFEEDING SERVICES | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $30,000 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| HOMER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | HOMER, MI | $28,221 | 2025 | B - EDUCATION |
| SOUTH MICHIGAN FOOD BANK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $25,890 | 2025 | K - FOOD NUTRITION, AGRICULTURE |
| NEIGHBORHOODS INC OF BATTLE CREEK | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $25,500 | 2025 | L - HOUSING, SHELTER |
| LOCAL INITIATIVES SUPPORT CORP | KALAMAZOO, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | L - HOUSING, SHELTER |
| LEGACY SCHOLARS | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $25,000 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| HOMER HISTORICAL SOCIETY | HOMER, MI | $23,860 | 2025 | A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES |
| FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BATTLE CREEK UCC | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $23,370 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| FORT CUSTER NATIONAL CEMETERY HONOR GUARD | AUGUSTA, MI | $21,172 | 2025 | W - PUBLIC AFFAIRS/SOCIETY BENEFIT |
| CAREWELL SERVICES SOUTHWEST | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $20,000 | 2025 | E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE |
| SHARE CENTER | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $19,002 | 2025 | K - FOOD NUTRITION, AGRICULTURE |
| WOMEN'S NETWORK INC WOMAN'S CO-OP | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $18,500 | 2025 | P.83 - WOMEN'S PROGRAM/ISSUES |
| ST MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $18,000 | 2025 | X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT |
| SOKUKOJI BUDDHIST COMMUNITY AKA KARMA HOUSE | BATTLE CREEK, MI | $17,930 | 2025 | P.00 - HUMAN SERVICE - MULTIPURPOSE/OTHER |
| STARR COMMONWEALTH | ALBION, MI | $16,390 | 2025 | P.00 - HUMAN SERVICE - MULTIPURPOSE/OTHER |
ENCOURAGE BC OPERATING (INTERNAL) COMMUNITY PROJECT FUND
$685,888E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION
BATTLE CREEK FAMILY YMCA
$194,860O - YOUTH DEVELOPMENT
KALAMAZOO COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
$185,785T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION
A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
HUMANE SOCIETY OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN
$171,184D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES
KAPPA ALPHA PSI FOUNDATION INC
$150,000T - PHILANTHROPY, VOLUNTARISM & GRANT MAKING FOUNDATION
THE MUSIC CENTER OF SOUTH CENTRAL MICHIGAN
$133,360A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
HAVEN OF REST MINISTRIES
$130,740L - HOUSING, SHELTER
CALHOUN INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$104,429B - EDUCATION
BATTLE CREEK PUBLIC SCHOOLS
$77,829B - EDUCATION
SAFE PLACE
$77,000L - HOUSING, SHELTER
VICTORY LIFE CHURCH
$55,794X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
ART CENTER OF BATTLE CREEK
$54,140A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
BATTLE CREEK AREA CATHOLIC SCHOOLS FOUNDATION INC
$52,604X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY - DEPARTMENT OF FOOD SCIENCE AND HUMAN NUTRITION
$50,000B - EDUCATION
REGENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$50,000N - RECREATION, LEISURE & SPORTS, ATHLETICS
CHARITABLE UNION
$47,250P.00 - HUMAN SERVICE - MULTIPURPOSE/OTHER
THE KOOL FAMILY COMMUNITY CENTER
$41,260E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
WHAT A DO THEATRE
$37,000A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
LEILA ARBORETUM SOCIETY
$34,300A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
ST PETER LUTHERAN CHURCH
$30,710X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
$30,610X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
THE HORSE PROTECTION LEAGUE
$30,000D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES
MICHIGAN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION
$30,000S - COMMUNITY IMPROVEMENT/CAPACITY BUILDING
ALL SPECIES KINSHIP
$30,000D - ANIMAL RELATED ACTIVITIES
MILK LIKE MINE COMMUNITY BIRTHING & BREASTFEEDING SERVICES
$30,000E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
HOMER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$28,221B - EDUCATION
NEIGHBORHOODS INC OF BATTLE CREEK
$25,500L - HOUSING, SHELTER
LEGACY SCHOLARS
$25,000E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
HOMER HISTORICAL SOCIETY
$23,860A - ARTS, CULTURE, HUMANITIES
FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF BATTLE CREEK UCC
$23,370X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
FORT CUSTER NATIONAL CEMETERY HONOR GUARD
$21,172W - PUBLIC AFFAIRS/SOCIETY BENEFIT
CAREWELL SERVICES SOUTHWEST
$20,000E - HEALTH, GENERAL & REHABILITATIVE
SHARE CENTER
$19,002K - FOOD NUTRITION, AGRICULTURE
WOMEN'S NETWORK INC WOMAN'S CO-OP
$18,500P.83 - WOMEN'S PROGRAM/ISSUES
ST MARK LUTHERAN CHURCH
$18,000X - RELIGIOUS RELATED/SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT
SOKUKOJI BUDDHIST COMMUNITY AKA KARMA HOUSE
$17,930P.00 - HUMAN SERVICE - MULTIPURPOSE/OTHER