Supported Initiatives
The Community Wellness Endowment supports programs that help improve the health of our community. Berrien, Cass and Van Buren county non-profits may apply for funding in the following categories: expanding existing programs, new initiatives or capital campaigns with focus on a range of heath issues such as: childhood obesity, prescription drug and heroin abuse, diabetes prevention, child abuse and access to public transportation, etc.
November 2023
- Community Healing Centers to support Carol’s Hope, a Berrien County crisis intervention center and resource navigation for individuals with substance abuse and co-occurring disorders – $66,573
- The Avenue Family Network Inc. to support a new Adult Day Services Program in South Haven while partnering with a Youth Development Company to offer intergenerational programming – $40,000
- The Salvation Army – Niles to support the weekend meals program during the school year for the Niles, Brandywine, and Buchanan School Systems, Tri-County Head Start, and Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District – $10,000
July 2023
- Buchanan Area Senior Center to help purchase a second NuStep T6 recumbent cross trainer for seniors who work out at this Fitness Room - $4,000
- Disability Network Southwest Michigan to support the building of more ramps at homes of individuals with disabilities living in Berrien, Cass, and Van Buren counties - $15,000
- Fernwood Botanical Garden in support of Phase II updates to hiking and walking trails that will increase usage, promote physical activity, provide greater access, more engagement and safety - $15,000
- Neighbors Organizing Against Racism to support Benton Harbor residents take control of their health through educational classes that discuss the importance of eating healthy and well-being - $19,000
- Readiness Center to support the expansion of a Healthy Living program for children and families that will include learning opportunities and experiencing healthy behaviors - $15,000
- Reclaiming, Equipping and Directing Youth, Inc. to provide 10 scholarships for 9 months to Benton Harbor students - $14,850
- Water Street Glassworks to support the cardea bead making project to benefit Marie Yeager Cancer Center patients - $7,500
- WeECHO to support the WEYS to Shine Program for at risk youth in the Niles area - $7,000
December 2022
- Benton Harbor Development Corp. that supports the Flourish Community Garden & Resources House Center in the Benton Harbor Empire corridor that will provide the community with a program and related activities that promoted nutrition and good health - $40,000
- Present Pillars in support of a fatherhood initiative in Benton Harbor that promotes a culture of normalcy by offering educational programs about health, finance, advocacy and fellowship - $35,576
- Boys & Girls Clubs of Benton Harbor that supports the Triple Play Sports, Fitness and Recreation program that will equip young Club members with crucial skills needed to become healthy, fit, and successful adults - $25,000
- Michiana Family Center to help improve the mental health and resiliency of teens, families, and parents specifically foster and adoptive children in Cass County - $25,000
- YMCA of Greater Michiana to help support necessary updates and renovations to the Benton Harbor-St. Joseph YMCA facility that will benefit residents in the twin cities area - $25,000
- Friends of New Troy in support of necessary updates and renovations to the New Troy Community Center Library and Meeting Room that will offer engaging programming, activities, and technology for all ages with a particular focus on youth. $6,440
- The Salvation Army - Niles to help supply nutritional meals on weekends and during summer school programs to students in the Niles, Brandywine, and Buchanan School Systems, Tri-County Head Start, and Heritage Southwest Intermediate School District - $5,000
- Strong Women of Faith Breast Cancer Support Group that helps support cancer survivors and women who are most at-risk for the disease - $5,000
- Berrien County Blanket Brigade in support of handmade fleece blankets by volunteers that are distributed to hospice/palliative care patients throughout Berrien County - $2,000
Cardea Bead program
July 2022
- WeECHO Youth Services: WEYS 2 Shine Summer Program to promote physical fitness, mental well-being, and life skills to vulnerable youth in the Niles area enrolled in the summer program and will continue throughout the year - $5,000
May 2022
- Senior Services of Van Buren County to promote fitness and health by sponsoring the pickleball courts at the new South Haven Senior Center - $50,000
February 2022
- Friends of Berrien County Trails: Berrien County Bike, Hike, and Paddle Trails that supports community healthy lifestyles and wellness - $10,000
December 2021
- New Heights Christian Community Development Association for a new Laundry Hub and Community Resource Center to benefit the Benton Heights area – $50,000
- Community Healing Centers to support their work of offering a comprehensive plan to individuals and support to families with a loved one seeking treatment and recovery from drug addiction during COVID-19 – $50,000
- LOGAN Center to purchase augmentative and alternative communication devices for clients needing speech therapy – $12,850
September 2021
- Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council which supports operations that benefits collective community – $50,000
- Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor to support the Be There Program Expansion – $50,000
March 2021
- Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) of Southwest Michigan, Inc. training advocates on TBRI, an attachment based, trauma-informed intervention to support foster children/families – $16,480
- Water Street Glassworks Cardea Beads Project to support cancer patients during treatment at Marie Yeager Cancer Center (MYCC) – $5,000
February 2021
- Community Healing Centers to support community members, their friends and families, who struggle with increased substance abuse disorders and addiction during COVID-19 - $50,000
December 2020
- Region IV Area Agency on Aging to support COVID positive patients & caregivers recovering at home. Total served will be about 45 and project goal is to serve 120 for $240,000. Funding is being requested from five other foundations - $60,000
October 2020
- Centered on Wellness to build e-health services for mental wellness and addiction recovery - $50,000
Southwestern Michigan College Nursing and Health Education Building
September 2020
- Lake Michigan College to help purchase a Sectra system for the Radiologic Technology Program - $20,000
June 2020
- COVID-19 donation to Southwest Michigan Cares Fund at Berrien Community Foundation plus 600 care kits distributed to BH/Niles residents and disposable masks with plastic holders distributed to BH area business – $50,049.28
April 2020
- YMCA of Greater Michiana Child Care Network for capital improvements - $10,000
- Berrien County Health Department to support the Benton Harbor Farmers Market - $5,000
December 2019
- The Avenue Family Network (formerly Children and Family Services) for their new Cora Lamping Center for Survivors of Domestic Violence - $50,000
- Water Street Glassworks – Cardea Beads Project for MYCC - $7,500
- Friends of New Troy – Renovations of bathrooms at New Troy Community Center to make ADA Compliant - $3,320
- Drive Greatness: Michigan’s Greater Southwest Strategic Leadership Council to support a group of 100 leaders working to solve community challenges around population health including transportation, housing and food access - $50,000
September 2019
- Ottawa Elementary Schools- tower garden- $4,591
- LOGAN Community Resources, Inc.- EMR iPads- $10,000
December 2018
- Lakeshore Public Schools- garden educator for the Lakeshore Garden to Table Project- $4,000
- R.E.A.D.Y. Taekwondo Academy- ten student scholarships- $16,250
- Girls on the Run- 2019 spring scholarships for 30 girls- $3,750
November 2018
- Michigan's Great Southwest Strategic Leadership Council- Leadership Accelerator scholarships for participants only from health/healthcare-related organizations- $7,500
Cora Lamping Center
September 2018
- Warriors for the Homeless- handicap access ramp for front entrance and restroom- $23,000
June 2018
- Saint Joseph Lincoln Senior Center- senior outdoor fitness zone - $10,000
- Ottawa Elementary Schools- heart zone education- $5,000
- Rotary Club of Harbor Country- outdoor adult exercise equipment for New Buffalo
Township Memorial Park- $2,245
- PACE- 23" mobile flexible computer technology unit- $11,904
March 2018
- River Valley Senior Center- building renovation- $20,343
- Niles-Buchanan YMCA- Benton Harbor summer impact program- $5,000
- Pregnancy Care Center- expansion in Benton Harbor/St. Joseph area- $21,000
January 2018
- Court Appointed Special Advocate Program of Berrien County (CASA)- training for two additional volunteers- $7,481
Fernwood Botanical Garden improvements
December 2017
- Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve - walking and hiking trail improvement project - $25,000
September 2017
- Neighbor to Neighbor - expansion of family emergency services - $40,000
- Andrews University - support new Health & Wellness Center (2018) - $50,000
May 2017
- Southwestern Michigan College - strategic initiative to address healthcare shortage in rural counties - $50,000
- Lakeshore Public Schools - start-up of a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) class - $15,000
- Krasl Art Center - continuation and expansion of Art Angels program - $5,000
January 2017
- Center(ed) on Wellness - technical support - $20,000
- Niles-Buchanan YMCA - capital expansion - $25,000
- Greater Niles Economic Development Corporation - Niles City/Lakeland Health Campus Trailhead - $35,000
- LOGAN Community Resources, Inc. - new site and renovation for the LOGAN Autism Learning Center-SWMI - $10,000
June 2016
- Gateway Services - Project Uplift - $15,000
- Abundant Life Ministries - community (youth) garden - $6,145
- Lake Michigan College Foundation - nursing program simulation lab - $47,000
- Mosaic CCDA - Harbor Market - $5,000
- Healing Paws - expansion of dog training facility & training for dogs - $5,000
- Berrien County Health Department - Blue Zone education/Minneapolis - $2,000
- Buchanan Community Schools - climbing walls - $12,000
Betty Kohn Outdoor Fitness Zone
February 2015
- Pregnancy Care Center - purchase new ultrasound machine - $16,000
- Berrien County Council for Children - renovations and expansion of the children's assessment center - $25,000
- Healing Paws, Inc. - renovations of their training center to prepare dogs and volunteer handlers for therapy-assistance services - $18,214
- Michigan's Great Southwest Sustainable Business Forum - a study to help coordinate public transportation throughout Berrien County - $15,000
- First Tee of Benton Harbor - to implement their Nine Health Habits curriculum to help curb childhood obesity rates - $10,000
Bronson Health Foundation - purchase of a specialized ambulance to transport Lakeland's neonatal and pediatric patients to Bronson's Children Hospital - $25,000
Boys & Girls Club of Benton Harbor - to support the SMART Girls program that offers age-specific experiences to enhance girls' physical and emotional health - $10,000
Unity @ Ebenezer Baptist Church - to educate young girls and boys to postpone sexual involvement at an early age and build self-esteem - $3,300
Benton Harbor/St. Joseph YMCA - support their Diabetes Prevention program - $15,000
Lakeshore Schools Garden to Table project
Berrien County Cancer Services - upgrade web site to heighten awareness of their mission, increase usage of services for those with cancer and other illnesses, and align their website with information and resources provided by Lakeland Health - $5,000
Berrien County Health Department - hosting community conferences on the prescription drug and heroin abuse uses plaguing Berrien County - $20,000