Funds at MGCF

We differentiate among our funds by geographic area because each community is distinctive. Any fund that serves the area in general or a specific location not included in the geographic areas is a Michigan Gateway fund.

Key:

U = Unrestricted Fund
D = Designated Fund
FI = Field of Interest Fund
S = Scholarship Fund
A = Agency or Organizational Fund
DA = Donor Advised Fund

BUCHANAN AREA FUNDS

  1. Buchanan Area Fund (10/26/77)U – for Buchanan area needs in any charitable area.
  2. Buchanan Education Fund (5/22/96) FI – (a fund in itself with sub-funds) – Serves Buchanan Community Schools and includes:
  3. Swartz Scholarship S
  4. Smith Scholarship S
  5. Rotzien Scholarship S
  6. Ellis Memorial Scholarship S
  7. Hacking Scholarship S
  8. Hike for Higher Education Scholarship S
  9. Buchanan Youth Fund (9/1/95) FI – for youth needs in the Buchanan area
  10. Unity Hospital Education Fund (10/5/88)FI – Addresses health needs and health career scholarships in the Buchanan area
  11. Walter E. Schirmer Buchanan Library Fund (11/4/93) D- specifically for needs established by MGCF Board of Trustees for the Buchanan District Library.
  12. Walter E. Schirmer Scholarship Fund (11/4/93)S – 4-year renewable scholarships for graduates of Buchanan High School
  13. Donor Advised Fund (anonymous) (12/9/94) DAU- for any charitable needs, often with recommendation from the donor.
  14. George and LaVonne Sullivan Fund (8/21/00)D – for projects that will enhance the attractiveness and promote the economic viability of the City of Buchanan, especially in the downtown area.
  15. B.R. and Marjorie Desenberg Fund (12/13/99)D – a designated fund for the Buchanan District Library. www.buchananlibrary.org
  16. Pears Mill Endowment Fund (10/5/06)D – a designated fund for the preservation and restoration of Pears Mill in Buchanan, Michigan as an historic site. http://www.cityofbuchanan.com/community_attractions.php
  17. Roma Holmes Scholarship Fund (7/19/00)S – provides a scholarship to a Buchanan area resident who is a Buchanan High School senior.
  18. Buchanan Lions Education Fund (3/2/00)S – scholarship for a graduating senior at Buchanan High School
  19. Ruediger and Karin Kappe Scholarship Fund (6/19/01)S – provides a scholarship to a Buchanan area resident who is a Buchanan High School senior.
  20. McCoy’s Creek Trail Endowment Fund (12/15/06)D – for the purpose of creating, improving, expanding and maintaining the trail for the benefit of the community. http://mccoyscreektrail.parks.officelive.com/default.aspx
  21. Buchanan Art Center Endowment Fund (5/24/07)A – for support of its mission to provide a center for information, education, culture, and recreation for members of the Buchanan Community, through the Center’s galleries, collections, programs and special services. http://www.buchananartcenter.org
  22. Redbud Area Ministries Endowment Fund (2/11/2009) A – for support of its mission to distribute food, clothing household items and limited financial assistance to those in need in the Buchanan-Galien area.
  23. Catherine and Louis Desenberg Fund (9/08/2008) DA- for the support and enhancement of the Buchanan community.
  24. Janet Racht Funk Memorial Scholarship (1/13/2011) S- to provide a scholarship grant to graduating students of Buchanan High School, Buchanan, Michigan.
  25. Janet L. Mottl Scholarship Fund (10/13/2011) S- to provide a scholarship to a student who is a female graduating member of Buchanan High School.

NILES AREA FUNDS

  1. Niles Area Fund (10/18/96) U-  for Niles community needs in any charitable area.
  2. Contois Scholarship Fund (12/11/96) S- four-year renewable scholarships for graduates of Niles High School
  3. United Way of Greater Niles Fund (8/13/97)A – an endowment for United Way of Niles and its partner agencies. http:www.unitedwayniles.org
  4. Niles Community Schools Education Fund (11/4/97) FI (a fund in itself with sub-funds) – Serves Niles Community Schools and includes:
  5. Baxter Scholarship S
  6. James & Hanna Sarley Scholarship S
  7. J.W. And Virginia Sarley Scholarship  S
  8. O.W. Coolidge Scholarship S
  9. Mary Swan Scholarship S
  10. Stephen Tyler Memorial Scholarship S
  11. Niles Youth Fund (12/5/96)FI – for youth needs in the Niles area
  12. Pawating Auxiliary of Lakeland Medical Center, Niles (12/29/98)D – a fund to benefit projects of the Auxiliary.
  13. Fay Frazee Scholarship S- for nursing students in the Greater Niles area (includes Buchanan)
  14. Jane S. Davis Scholarship S- for health careers in the Greater Niles area (includes Buchanan)
  15. Mahlon and Thelma C. Smith Endowment (5/31/99)U – for any charitable needs in the Niles area
  16. Jeanne Griffin Scholarship (10/27/00)S – funds a 4 year renewable scholarship to a graduating senior at Niles High School.
  17. Ann Cone Endowment (4/13/00)FI – to serve the charitable needs of families and youth in the Niles area.
  18. Linsenmier Endowment Fund for Niles (4/1/2009) D- to support the Niles Association for Exceptional Citizens.
  19. Low Family Community Improvement Fund ( 2/1/2009) DA- for charitable support for the Niles area.
  20. Brandywine Schools Improvement Fund non endowed (3/21/05)D – A mechanism for receiving and maintaining monies for capital programs,     equipment acquisition or program enhancement of Brandywine Public Schools. http://www.remc11.k12.mi.us/brandy/highschool.html
  21. Jay and Cecile McCombs Scholarship Fund (10/05/06) S – provides a non-renewable scholarship to a student graduating from Brandywine High School. McCombs Link
  22. Niles Music Club Endowment Fund ( 7/17/06) A – An agency endowment to support music appreciation, instruction, and performances in the Niles-Buchanan Area.
  23. Ann Coulston Memorial Scholarship Fund (1/12/06) S -  to provide to a graduating student of Brandywine High School.
  24. Brandywine Class of 1973 Alumni Scholarship Fund (12/20/06)S – to provide a non renewable scholarship to a student who is graduating from Brandywine High School in Niles, Michigan. Alumni link
  25. Niles High School Class of 1962 Scholarship non endowed, (9/13/2007) S- provide a scholarship to a graduating member of Niles High School.
  26. Niles District Library Endowment Fund (2/28/2011) A- for the purpose of creating a permanent endowment for the Niles District Library, to provide the community with access and guidance to resources that inform, entertain and enrich.

CASS COUNTY COMMUNITY FUNDS

  1. Cass County Community Fund (2/27/97)U – for any charitable needs in Cass County.
  2. Cass County Council on Aging Endowment (5/1/97)A – for operating and programs of the Cass COA. http://www.casscoa.org
  3. Cass County Youth Fund (10/15/97)FI – for youth needs in Cass County.
  4. Rev. William Carl and Myrtle A. Schilling Memorial Fund (10/6/98)D – for Open Arms Child Development Center of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Cassopolis.
  5. Helen Singer Memorial Scholarship (12/9/98) S- for summer camp scholarships for students of McKinley School in Dowagiac.
  6. Cass County Fair Association Endowment Fund (12/18/00)A – to provide support to the Fair Association by funding operating, administration, capital or program costs for the Fair. http:// www.casscountyfair.com
  7. Cass District Library Endowment Fund (8/27/01)A – to support the Library mission to be a center for information, education, culture and recreation for all patrons through collections, programs and special services. http://cass.lib.mi.us
  8. Helen Indergaard and Dale Cropsey Education Endowment Fund (12/13/99)S- a permanent scholarship to assist youth in the Volinia Baptist Church, Volinia Township, Michigan.
  9. Caryl Beck-Miller Pets Alive Scholarship Fund (12/20/02)S – a permanent scholarship for graduating seniors of Cassopolis High School who are pursuing an education in veterinary or animal health and care.
  10. Lewis Cass Intermediate School District Endowment Fund (07/25/02)D – to support programs for disabled children that are administered by the ISD.
  11. Cass County Mental Health Association Endowment Fund (7/10/06)FI – non-endowed, to support  programs for the improvement of mental health and substance abuse problems in the Cass County community.
  12. Joseph Norton Sheteron Memorial Scholarship (8/03/07)S- a permanent four year scholarship for graduating seniors who participate in softball or baseball during their high school years.
  13. Lloyd Bywaters Memorial Scholarship ( 2/11/2009) S -scholarship assistance for current or former students of Edwardsburg High School that participated in the Edwardsburg Rocket Football program.
  14. LifeCare Ambulance Service Fund (6/15/2010) A - for support of its mission of Advanced Life Support, emergency and non emergency medical transport and patient care in the Cass County service area.
  15. Michigan Nature Association Endowment Fund (7/15/2010) A – in support of its dedication to preserving Michigan’s natural heritage.
  16. Cassopolis School Foundation Endowment Fund (6/07/2011) non endowed, in support of education of the youth of the Cassopolis community.
  17. Leland and Robert Alexander Memorial Fund (1/13/2011) D- to provide support to The Cassopolis, Michigan Chapter of the Future Farmers of America.

MICHIGAN GATEWAY COMMUNITY FOUNDATION FUNDS

  1. MGCF General Fund (10/15/97)U – for charitable needs in South Berrien and Cass Counties.
  2. Lakeland Allied Health Scholarship Fund (12/18/96)S – for scholarships designated by Lakeland Medical Center, Niles.
  3. Galien Ambulance Scholarship Fund (5/29/97)S – scholarships for area high school graduates residing in the Galien School District.
  4. Auble Memorial Scholarship Fund (9/2/97) S- scholarships for graduates of Berrien Springs High School.
  5. Romney Endowment for Southwestern Michigan Vol. Center (9/12/97)A-for operating and program needs of the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan. www.volunteerswmi.org
  6. MGCF Youth Fund (10/15/97) FI- for youth needs in South Berrien and Cass Counties.
  7. Niles-Buchanan YMCA (12/16/97)A – for operating and program needs of the YMCA.
  8. Mahlon Smith Endowment for Niles-Buchanan YMCA (5/31/99) D- for major repairs and capital expense for the YMCA.
  9. Lucille B. Coles YMCA Scholarship Endowment Fund (1/13/00)D – provides YMCA membership assistance to youth unable to afford it.
  10. Midge and Tim Tyler Memorial Fund (07/25/02)D – for support of youth programs of the YMCA and to serve as a depository for memorial gifts to the YMCA.
  11. Fernwood Education Fund (12/13/99)D- support for Fernwood’s nature education programs. Fernwood Website
  12. Moore Family Endowment Fund (12/21/99)DA – Donor Advised for any charitable need.
  13. Healthy Youth Healthy Seniors Endowment (9/26/2000)FI – support programs that     improve the health of youth and seniors, which may include, but are not limited     to, programs that focus on health and nutrition, family counseling, early childhood  development, smoking prevention and cessation, day care, pre school and after school care.
  14. United Way of Southwest Michigan Endowment Fund (11/19/2004)A – for the purpose of improving lives by mobilizing the caring power of communities. http://www.uwsm.org
  15. Niles-Buchanan Rotary Community Action Fund non endowed (4/11/05)D – to provide grants to assist Rotary’s charitable and humanitarian projects benefiting the Niles-Buchanan community.
  16. Niles-Buchanan Rotary Endowment Fund (4/11/05)D – for the needs of the Niles-Buchanan community as related to the Rotary Club’s charitable and humanitarian activity.
  17. Semper Fi/Cpl. Ian Stewart Memorial Fund non-endowed (3/02/05)DA – a donor advised fund providing charitable support to Marine reserves attached to units served by Semper Fi Company, an mobile PX.
  18. Active Community Fund (8/15/2010) DA – To support  charitable giving desires of the donor.
  19. Michigan Nature Association Endowment  (10/20/2010) A- for support of its dedication to preserving Michigan’s natural heritage.
  20. Berrien County Cancer Service Endowment Fund (8/1/05)A – To provide free, skilled, home nursing services, equipment, information, and supplies at cost for cancer patients and their families in Berrien County. http://www.bccancerservice.org
  21. Corrie Listenberger Bair Fund (11/15/05)DA – To serve the needs of people with disabilities and to benefit the community served by the Foundation, defined as Berrien and Cass County, Michigan.
  22. Fund for Kathy’s Garden (01/15/06)D – To support the annual maintenance and upkeep of Kathy’s Garden at Fernwood Botanical Gardens in Buchanan, Michigan, as well as maintenance and support of other gardens and natural exhibits at Fernwood, as needed.
  23. Administrative Fund (10/6/98)D – to support the operating costs of Michigan Gateway Community Foundation.
  24. Pass Through Fund - for temporary or currently spendable gifts that are not permanently endowed.