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BCCF Grant Recipient: Women’s Co-Op; Teresa Phillips, Executive Director of Women’s Co-Op works with a program participant.
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The Battle Creek Community Foundation distributes grants to a wide variety of nonprofit programs, organizations and community groups that enhance and support the quality of life in our Battle Creek. The Community Foundation has over 30 years experience in identifying areas of need in the community. Grant proposals are thoroughly screened and analyzed to ensure that there is collaboration between area organizations, and that credible programming is delivered to the residents of Battle Creek.
Prospective grant seekers first identify a focal area of concern in the community. They then conceptualize an idea around this concern. Community Foundation staff meet with grant seekers to discuss the idea and develop a proposal. The completed proposal is evaluated by a grant review committee. This committee is comprised of community members who donate their time to help better the community they live in. Proposals are carefully considered. The proposal and the recommendation are then reviewed by a Grant Policy Committee, which ensures that it adheres to BCCF grant guidelines. Thereafter, the grant recommendation is forwarded to the BCCF Board of Trustees for the final decision.
The Battle Creek Community Foundation focuses on the greater Battle community, and is most interested in projects that focus on education, health, human services, arts and culture, public affairs or community development. In general, priority is given to those grant ideas that reflect one or more of the following characteristics:
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| BCCF Grant Recipient: Humane Society – Calhoun Area; Campbell, Animal Care Supervisor with Kai |
- Increases the capacity of the community to participate in identifying needs and developing and implementing solutions
- Encourages cooperation
- Demonstrates a clear and convincing need
- Develops self-reliance
- Avoids unnecessary duplication of services
- Targets gaps in services
- Mirrors the diversity of our community
- Promotes equity among its various segments
- Has clear, defined goals and/or measurable outcomes
The Battle Creek Community Foundation welcomes grant applications from non-profit programs, organizations and community groups that are either located in the greater Battle Creek area, or that will dirctly benefit residents in the greater Battle Creek community. Prospective grant applicants are encouraged to contact the Community Foundation staff to discuss their proposal and obtain more information about the grantmaking process and sources of funding. Foundation staff members are available to assist in proposal development and the actual writing of the grant. Call the Foundation today at 269-962-2181 to see how your idea can become a grant.
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BCCF Grant Recipient: Wattles Park Men’s Club (WPMC); Black Holbrook participates in WPMC’s Lacrosse Program.
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The Battle Creek Community Foundation includes an evaluation component in all of the programs and projects it supports. Grant recommendations too are carefully evaluated by volunteer committees who ensure that the grants effectively articulate the description or mission of the organization, the purpose, impact and amount of the request and plans for project evaluation. Funding recommendations are made after considering the merit of the proposal, the capabilities of the proposing organization, the availability of funds, and the needs of the community. Other components such as target population and program or project history also help the committee judge the value of the proposal.
Evaluation is important for many reasons. When done supportively, it provides grantees with the opportunity to be thoughtful and reflective about their work and programs. Ideally, it is also a learning tool, helping us to better understand the results of the projects we support.
Mini-grants of up to $1,000 are also available through the Community Foundation. They are intended to be a fast, flexible, local funding opportunity for small but important community needs. Mini-grant proposals may be submitted at any time, and are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Mini-grant applications are available at the BCCF office, or can be downloaded online www.bccfoundation.org/grants.
Currently, more than 200 people offer their time and expertise to the Community Foundation by serving on some 18 committees. The thoughtful ideas of teachers, business people, homemakers, retirees, teens, trades people, artists and others are what put the ‘community’ in community foundation. BCCF has four targeted committees that turn great ideas into grants:
- Fund for Battle Creek Grantmaking Committee: This unrestricted grantmaking fund enables the Community Foundation to respond to changing needs and enhance the quality of community life.
- Health Grantmaking Committee: This committee reviews proposals concerning health and health-related services.
- Arts and Culture Grantmaking Committee: This committee reviews arts and culture related proposals.
- Youth Alliance Committee (YAC): The YAC is comprised of area high school students who serve as a grant review committee for all youth grant requests. YAC members award grants to support programs planned by youth, or for youth in the community.
For more information on grants, or to obtain an application packet, contact the Battle Creek Community Foundation at 269-962-2181.
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