Encourage BC! is a department of the Battle Creek Community Foundation, created to help local projects grow and make a difference. We provide fiscal sponsorship to more than 60 community initiatives, offering the structure, guidance, and support they need to succeed.
From education and health to neighborhood events and social services, these projects all share one goal: making life better in Battle Creek. By partnering with Encourage BC!, local changemakers can focus on their mission while we handle the behind-the-scenes details like financial management and compliance, turning great ideas into real, lasting impact for our community.
Volunteers and community leaders come together to meet local needs, create joy, and spark change. We simply provide the structure so you can shine.
BY THE COMMUNITY, FOR THE COMMUNITY
Supporting Community Mobilization
Empower volunteers
Encourage BC! fuels the energy of volunteers working together to make a difference in Battle Creek and beyond.
Meet local needs
From food access to youth programs, projects respond directly to what neighbors say they need most.
Celebrate creativity
Festivals, murals, events, and ideas that bring people together all find a home here.
GRASSROOTS PHILANTHROPY IN ACTION
Why Encourage BC!
Encourage BC! works to energize and facilitate positive charitable ideas for individuals
or groups in our community to be active in matters that affect their everyday lives.
Last year, more than $1.6 million was raised in support of 67 EBC fiscally sponsored projects.
Community first
Faster starts
Real support
IMPACT IN MOTION
Project Spotlights
Interested in Learning More?
Encourage BC! is not accepting new projects at this time
Current Sponsored Projects
Barn Believers Project Fund
Battle Creek Executive Airport Centennial Legacy Fund
BCPS Christmas Extravaganza Community Project Fund
Bedford Fire Department Project Fund
Binder Park Junior Golf Academy Community Project Fund
The Rosetta Brewer Fund to Support Victims of Gun Violence
CASA of Calhoun County
Cereal City Sunrise Rotary Charities
Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association Project Fund
Battle Creek Disc Golf Fund
Home Run Dog Park Fund
Pennfield Dunlap Elementary Parent Teacher Organization Project Fund
Downtown Battle Creek Zine Community Project Fund
Endless Envelope Community Project Fund
Fort Custer Cemetery Avenue of Flags Fund
Fort Custer National Cemetery Advisory Committee Project Fund
Johnny Collier Teach a Kid to Fish Community Project Fund
Fallen Officers Memorial Project Fund
Love Thy Neighbor Community Fund
Lakeview High School Commemorative Brick Project Fund
Lakeview & Urbandale Kiwanis Club Project Fund
NAACP Project Fund
North Pennfield Elementary Parent Teacher Organization
Optimist Club of Battle Creek Community Project Fund
The Others Community Project Fund
The Pink Ribbon Sisterhood
Battle Creek Police Department Law Enforcement Community Education
Pennfield Schools Athletic Hall of Fame Fund
Rise Up Community Project Fund
The Rose Community Project Fund
Windward Seacadets 094 Project Fund
Calhoun County Shop with a Cop Community Project Fund
Suicide Prevention Coalition of Calhoun County Community Project Fund
Calhoun County Trailway Alliance Community Project Fund
Western Michigan Association of Chiefs of Police Districts Project Fund
Battle Creek Latin-American Heritage Initiative Fund
Battle Creek Master Singers Community Project Fund
Calhoun County Red White Blue Foundation Community Project Fund
Girls on the Run Calhoun County Community Project Fund
National Collegiate Equestrian Association National Advisory Board
Shared Neighborhood Food Pantry Community Project Fund
Post Community Band Community Project Fund
Celebrating Street Culture Community Project Fund
Connecting Communities Cancer Control Coalition (5C)
Miles for Memories Project Fund
Battle Creek Community Prayer Breakfast