Fostering a community of philanthropy, for good, forever.
Michigan Gateway Community Foundation’s recent grantmaking is defined by scholarships: dozens of awards flow through a single application, and postsecondary support appears repeatedly across South Berrien and Cass counties. The foundation also funds local public institutions and community services, pairing education support with equipment, health, and neighborhood projects. In the latest grants, Southwestern Michigan College Foundation received a $93,890 scholarship grant, and Michigan State University received $77,125 for scholarships, showing a steady commitment to students who move through Michigan colleges and universities. That scholarship emphasis sits alongside broader local giving. The foundation supported the City of Buchanan with equipment grants, helped fund a grant to the First Presbyterian Church of Buchanan, and made awards tied to health care, emergency home repairs, and youth-focused community work. Its programs indicate a mix of administered scholarship funds, unrestricted community grants, youth-led mini-grants, and local initiatives such as Buchanan Promise and Kickstart to Career. The result is a funder that combines educational access with place-based support for residents, organizations, and students in its service area.
Education is the clearest theme in Michigan Gateway Community Foundation’s grantmaking. In 2025, the foundation gave $53,159 to Southwestern Michigan College and $49,250 to Grand Valley State University for scholarship grants. It also awarded $36,500 to the University of Michigan for scholarships, reinforcing a pattern of support for postsecondary access. Community infrastructure and public services are another clear focus. The foundation gave $45,200 to the City of Buchanan for equipment grants and $27,075 to the City of Niles for emergency home repairs. Health-related grantmaking appears in a $28,333 grant to Spectrum Health in Niles and a separate $28,333 health center pledge to Spectrum Health - Msu Alliance Corp in Grand Rapids. Youth and local civic life also show up through Buchanan Community Schools, which received $27,042 for multiple education purposes, and the YMCA of Greater Michiana, which received membership grants in three separate awards.
$1M
$33.4M
$4.1M
$2.3M
Most grants fall between $8K and $22K, with a median of $12K.
25th Percentile
$8K
Median
$12K
75th Percentile
$22K
MICHAEL ROWLAND
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Typical awards are modest rather than large: the grant-size distribution sits at $7,836 at the 25th percentile, $11,798 at the median, and $22,270 at the 75th percentile. At the upper end, the foundation still makes much larger scholarship and community awards, but most grants cluster well below those figures. The pattern is recurring. The same recipients appear across multiple years, including Michigan State University, Southwestern Michigan College, Grand Valley State University, the University of Michigan, Lake Michigan College Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater Michiana. The foundation’s programs are a mix of administered scholarships, unrestricted general grants, youth mini-grants, and community grants. It also accepts unsolicited requests, and its scholarship program uses a single application for dozens of awards.
Grantmaking is highly concentrated in Michigan, with 89% of grants going to recipients in the state and 126 grants recorded there. The strongest city-level activity includes Buchanan, Niles, Dowagiac, Benton Harbor, East Lansing, and Ann Arbor. Buchanan shows up through awards to the City of Buchanan and Buchanan Community Schools, while Niles appears in grants to the city government, Spectrum Health, Help for Homes, and the YMCA of Greater Michiana. Outside the foundation’s immediate area, awards also reached Allendale, Kalamazoo, and Grand Rapids.
The foundation funds college and undergraduate students, local nonprofit organizations and service agencies, K-12 youth and camp participants, food-insecure households through pantry-related support, and community residents needing emergency home repairs or health services. Its program list also includes scholarships, unrestricted community grants, youth-led mini-grants, and local civic initiatives.
It administers more than 40 scholarships for postsecondary education across South Berrien and Cass Counties, with additional scholarships for some adult applicants. Dozens of scholarships are available through a single centralized application, and the application window is listed as January 15 to March 15.
The typical grant size is $7,836 at the 25th percentile, $11,798 at the median, and $22,270 at the 75th percentile. That points to a grantmaking pattern centered on smaller awards, with some larger scholarship and community grants above that range.
Recipients reappear across years. Michigan State University, Southwestern Michigan College, Grand Valley State University, the University of Michigan, Lake Michigan College Foundation, and the YMCA of Greater Michiana all received multiple grants in the recent-grants list, showing repeated support rather than one-time giving only.
It is strongly local. The foundation gives most often in Michigan, and 89% of its grants go to recipients in its HQ state. The active grant programs are aimed at South Berrien County, Cass County, and the Buchanan area.
2026
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2026.
Financiamiento actual y próximo de Michigan Gateway Community Foundation al que tu organización sin fines de lucro podría postularse.
¿Quién puede postularse? Projects generally must benefit South Berrien and Cass Counties. Eligible applications are reviewed by community-representative committees. Applicants are encouraged to contact Jennifer Popielski before submitting a request.
Fecha límite: Two annual cycles: February 1 and August 1.
¿Quién puede postularse? Schools, libraries, youth-serving organizations, and community nonprofits are encouraged to apply for projects benefiting young people across the region. Proposals aligned with YAC priorities receive priority consideration, although proposals outside those areas may also be considered.
Fecha límite: February 1 grant cycle; the website identifies this as a recurring annual cycle but does not provide a separate opening date.
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Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY | EAST LANSING, MI | $75,700 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HYDROSEED INCRZ SPORTS TURF | — | $65,697 | 2026 | INFIELD DIRT RENOVATIONS |
| GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | ALLENDALE, MI | $59,375 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE | DOWAGIAC, MI | $51,514 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| WISSCO IRRIGATION INCINVISIBLE FENCE | — | $51,480 | 2026 | BASEBALL LIGHTING |
| YMCA OF GREATER MICHIANA | NILES, MI | $45,856 | 2026 | NATURAL PLAYGROUND ROOF STRUCTURE |
| BSN SPORTS LLC | — | $44,896 | 2026 | BASEBALL FLAGPOLE |
| DIAMOND LAKE YACHT CLUB | CASSOPOLIS, MI | $44,869 | 2026 | FLOATING DECK |
| WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY | KALAMAZOO, MI | $43,563 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN | ANN ARBOR, MI | $41,000 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ROTI ROTI ART CENTER OF BUCHANAN | BUCHANAN, MI | $23,394 | 2026 | GRANT |
| REDBUD AREA MINISTRIES | BUCHANAN, MI | $22,079 | 2026 | AGENCY GRANT SUPPORT |
| CUSTOM FENCE CO | — | $21,500 | 2026 | BASEBALL FENCE |
| FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY | BIG RAPIDS, MI | $17,875 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| IU SOUTH BEND | SOUTH BEND, IN | $16,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN | ST JOSEPH, MI | $16,128 | 2026 | CASS COUNTY SCHOOL SUPPLY SPECTACULAR |
| HELP FOR HOMES | NILES, MI | $15,642 | 2026 | LOW INCOME HOME REPAIRS |
| LAKE MICHIGAN COLLEGE | BENTON HARBOR, MI | $15,158 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE | — | $14,950 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS | BUCHANAN, MI | $14,757 | 2026 | TEACHER GRANTS |
| ALMA COLLEGE | ALMA, MI | $14,625 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| FRITZ SIGNS | — | $13,670 | 2026 | BASEBALL SCOREBOARD WORK |
| ON BASE PRODUCTIONS | — | $13,250 | 2026 | VIDEO PRODUCTION |
| BUCHANAN DISTRICT LIBRARY | BUCHANAN, MI | $12,000 | 2026 | UPGRADING LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY |
| ANDREWS UNIVERSITY | BERRIEN SPRINGS, MI | $11,875 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| HERITAGE SW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT | — | $11,393 | 2026 | GARDENS |
| BUCHANAN AREA SENIOR CENTER | BUCHANAN, MI | $11,081 | 2026 | AGENCY GRANT |
| FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN | NILES, MI | $10,946 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FUND DISTRIBUTION |
| LORY'S PLACE GRIEF HEALING & EDUCATION CENTER | ST JOSEPH, MI | $10,913 | 2026 | NILES-BUCHANAN OUTREACH |
| 160 DRIVING ACADEMY | — | $10,490 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| CITY OF BUCHANAN | BUCHANAN, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | HOME DEMOLITION PROGRAM PLEDGE |
| THE SALVATION ARMY NILES | NILES, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE |
| NEW DAY FOUNDATION | ROCHESTER HILLS, MI | $10,000 | 2026 | CREDITOR ASSISTANCE FOR CANCER PATIENTS |
| CASS COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY | — | $8,980 | 2026 | BLIGHT ELIMINATION PROGRAM |
| MARCELLUS AREA EMERGENCY SERVICES ASSOC | — | $8,817 | 2026 | DISTRIBUTION FROM DESIGNATED FUND |
| MICHIANA FENCE | — | $8,605 | 2026 | BUCHANAN BASEBALL BACKSTOP |
| OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY | STILLWATER, OK | $8,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MOORED BEAUTY SCHOOLS | — | $8,344 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| DOWAGIAC AREA HISTORY MUSEUM | DOWAGIAC, MI | $8,000 | 2026 | STRATEGIC PLAN & ROADMAP BUILDING |
| LEAGUE OF ENCOURAGING EMPOWERMENT | — | $7,956 | 2026 | DIAPER BANK PROGRAM |
| SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY | UNIVERSITY CENTER, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| ALBION COLLEGE | ALBION, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIANA BEAUTY COLLEGE | — | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY | GRAND RAPIDS, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIGAN TECH UNIVERSITY | HOUGHTON, MI | $7,500 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| NEWBERG FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION | JONES, MI | $7,423 | 2026 | EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT |
| MARCELLUS TOWNSHIP WOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY | — | $7,408 | 2026 | DISTRIBUTION FROM DESIGNATED FUND |
| HUDSON MEMORIAL BUILDING | — | $7,408 | 2026 | DESIGNATED FUND DISTRIBUTION |
| WAYNE STATE UNIVERSITY | DETROIT, MI | $7,375 | 2026 | SCHOLARSHIP |
| MICHIANA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA | — | $7,365 | 2026 | PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, MUSIC, SUPPLIES |
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY
$75,700SCHOLARSHIP
HYDROSEED INCRZ SPORTS TURF
$65,697INFIELD DIRT RENOVATIONS
GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$59,375SCHOLARSHIP
SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE
$51,514SCHOLARSHIP
WISSCO IRRIGATION INCINVISIBLE FENCE
$51,480BASEBALL LIGHTING
NATURAL PLAYGROUND ROOF STRUCTURE
BSN SPORTS LLC
$44,896BASEBALL FLAGPOLE
DIAMOND LAKE YACHT CLUB
$44,869FLOATING DECK
WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
$43,563SCHOLARSHIP
UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN
$41,000SCHOLARSHIP
ROTI ROTI ART CENTER OF BUCHANAN
$23,394GRANT
REDBUD AREA MINISTRIES
$22,079AGENCY GRANT SUPPORT
CUSTOM FENCE CO
$21,500BASEBALL FENCE
FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
$17,875SCHOLARSHIP
IU SOUTH BEND
$16,500SCHOLARSHIP
HELP FOR HOMES
$15,642LOW INCOME HOME REPAIRS
SAINT MARY'S COLLEGE
$14,950SCHOLARSHIP
BUCHANAN COMMUNITY SCHOOLS
$14,757TEACHER GRANTS
FRITZ SIGNS
$13,670BASEBALL SCOREBOARD WORK
ON BASE PRODUCTIONS
$13,250VIDEO PRODUCTION
BUCHANAN DISTRICT LIBRARY
$12,000UPGRADING LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY
ANDREWS UNIVERSITY
$11,875SCHOLARSHIP
HERITAGE SW INTERMEDIATE SCHOOL DISTRICT
$11,393GARDENS
BUCHANAN AREA SENIOR CENTER
$11,081AGENCY GRANT
FERNWOOD BOTANICAL GARDEN
$10,946DESIGNATED FUND DISTRIBUTION
LORY'S PLACE GRIEF HEALING & EDUCATION CENTER
$10,913NILES-BUCHANAN OUTREACH
160 DRIVING ACADEMY
$10,490SCHOLARSHIP
CITY OF BUCHANAN
$10,000HOME DEMOLITION PROGRAM PLEDGE
THE SALVATION ARMY NILES
$10,000LOW INCOME ASSISTANCE
CASS COUNTY LAND BANK AUTHORITY
$8,980BLIGHT ELIMINATION PROGRAM
MARCELLUS AREA EMERGENCY SERVICES ASSOC
$8,817DISTRIBUTION FROM DESIGNATED FUND
MICHIANA FENCE
$8,605BUCHANAN BASEBALL BACKSTOP
OKLAHOMA STATE UNIVERSITY
$8,500SCHOLARSHIP
MOORED BEAUTY SCHOOLS
$8,344SCHOLARSHIP
DOWAGIAC AREA HISTORY MUSEUM
$8,000STRATEGIC PLAN & ROADMAP BUILDING
LEAGUE OF ENCOURAGING EMPOWERMENT
$7,956DIAPER BANK PROGRAM
SAGINAW VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
MICHIANA BEAUTY COLLEGE
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
DAVENPORT UNIVERSITY
$7,500SCHOLARSHIP
NEWBERG FIRE & EMS ASSOCIATION
$7,423EMERGENCY EQUIPMENT
MARCELLUS TOWNSHIP WOOD MEMORIAL LIBRARY
$7,408DISTRIBUTION FROM DESIGNATED FUND
HUDSON MEMORIAL BUILDING
$7,408DESIGNATED FUND DISTRIBUTION
MICHIANA CHAMBER ORCHESTRA
$7,365PURCHASE OF EQUIPMENT, MUSIC, SUPPLIES