[Berrien Community Foundation](https://www.berriencommunity.org)

June 1, 2026 (Letter of Intent deadline)

$50,000 awarded annually to one nonprofit; single-year award

Annual grant for a nonprofit serving Berrien County, Michigan, recognizing impactful, sustainable, and collaborative community service projects.

--- ## Description The Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant is an annual award administered by the Berrien Community Foundation. Established in 2016 through a donation from Steve and Elizabeth Upton, this grant supports nonprofit organizations that serve Berrien County, Michigan. It recognizes organizations that exemplify care, compassion, and community spirit through projects that address crucial needs, create positive impacts for local residents, and demonstrate sustainability and collaboration. Each year, one nonprofit is awarded $50,000 to implement a project that will make a lasting difference in the community. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2026: Letter of Intent deadline (submit LOI by June 1 for Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant) Applicants invited to submit a full proposal will have an additional deadline in August (by invitation only), with the award announced at the Foundation's Annual Meeting in September. --- ## Funding Amount - $50,000 awarded annually to a single nonprofit organization. - Funding is for a one-year project. - Only one award is made each year. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be nonprofit organizations (501(c)(3)), religious organizations, units of government, or schools. - Projects must serve Berrien County, Michigan residents. - The proposed project should: - Address a crucial community need. - Make a positive impact on Berrien County residents. - Demonstrate sustainability after funding concludes. - Show evidence of collaboration with other organizations or stakeholders. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit a LOI by June 1, 2026, via the online portal ([Submit Letter of Intent](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/BERRIEN/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=/BERRIEN)). - The LOI should be no more than two pages (double-spaced) and must include: - Brief overview of the agency - Total amount requested - Overview of the proposed project - Explanation of the project's positive impact on Berrien County residents - How the project demonstrates love of community - Estimated number of people served 2. **Full Proposal (By Invitation):** - Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full grant proposal, typically due in August. 3. **Award Notification:** - The winning project is announced at the Berrien Community Foundation Annual Meeting in September. --- ## Additional Information - Only one organization is selected for funding each year. - The grant is highly competitive and seeks projects that are sustainable and collaborative. - Past recipients include a variety of organizations addressing diverse community needs. --- ## External Links - [Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant Program Page](https://www.berriencommunity.org/lovecommunity) - [Berrien Community Foundation Grants Overview](https://www.berriencommunity.org/grants) - [Online Application Portal (GoApply)](https://goapply2.akoyago.com/BERRIEN/Identity/Account/Login?ReturnUrl=/BERRIEN) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Details | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [Contact Form](https://www.berriencommunity.org/ContactUs) | | Phone | 269-983-3304 | | Address | 2900 S State St, Ste 2E, Saint Joseph, MI 49085 |

Stephen E. Upton Love Your Community Grant

Sign in to see full grant listing