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Grants

SACF is committed to serving the charitable needs of our community and enriching the quality of life for all people in the Sturgis area through creative partnerships & engaged grantmaking. We support a broad range of programs and projects including arts and culture, community and economic development, education, health, human services, housing, seniors, and youth.

Grant Applications

The following are available through the Sturgis Area Community Foundation. If you have questions about grants, please contact us at sacf@sturgisfoundation.org or 269.659.8508.

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for support, organizations and institutions must have tax-exempt status under section 501(c)3 of the Internal Revenue Code or be public schools, municipalities, or other governmental entities in the Sturgis area that serve a charitable purpose as defined by IRC §170(b)(1)(A).

Recent Grants

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan

Formula for Impact

For more than twenty years, Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan has been helping kids aged 6-18 create Great Futures. Known for their recreational and extracurricular activities, Boys & Girls Club also provides after-school "tutoring to help put kids on a path to academic success, mentoring to guide members to build good character and strong leaders, and proven programming so youth have access to healthy lifestyles."

In the Fall of 2022, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Southwest Michigan introduced area youth in Sturgis to Formula for Impact programs such as Project Learn, Triple Play, Smart Girls, and Passport to Manhood. These programs aim to create an optimal club experience for local youth and teen members. In addition, Sturgis Public Schools serves as a collaborating partner by helping provide a location and food program.

kids with laptops

Recent Grant

City of Sturgis DDA

Building Stabilization (Open Door Gallery & Art Center)

The Sturgis Downtown Development Authority is addressing a severe obstacle at The Open Door Gallery and Art Center. The building, owned by the DDA, is in need of stabilization. While volunteers were cleaning an area in the basement, a large hole in the concrete floor was discovered. Upon further investigation, the substrate under the concrete floors revealed other voids besides the revealed hole, likely caused by poor soil. Funds will help to test the soil, remove the existing floor, infill new soil, and pour a new concrete floor. If left alone, the building could suffer further structural damage.

Over the years, the Open Door Gallery has maintained regular maintenance and successfully fundraised for large renovations such as replacing windows. By providing these funds for building stabilization, The Open Door Gallery and Art Center can continue to serve as a regional cultural center and an important part of downtown Sturgis and the surrounding arts and culture community.

building front

Recent Grant

Hope United, Inc

Hope United is a network of local churches and agencies coming together to provide support, help, and encouragement to those in need in St. Joseph County, Michigan. These different entities working together provide the resources and programs that can result in true transformation for individuals who themselves in cycles of brokenness. Programs like Amanda's House and Hope United Mentor Programs work to arrange to find recovery homes for people suffering from addiction while giving guidance in tackling the obstacles in life that keep people in cycles of pain.

The financial assistance from donors and organizations like the Sturgis Area Community Foundation enables Hope United to help make lasting changes in individuals' lives!

hope united logo

Recent Grant

Glen Oaks Community College

GOCC First-Generation College Celebration

Glen Oaks will host a multi-day event celebrating first-generation students in conjunction with the National First-Generation Celebration. This initiative advances the narrative of first-generation students and their experiences and outcomes, as well as encourages communities to understand the barriers these students might face. Glen Oaks works within the TRIO Student Support System Program, where students may qualify for services and support.

Glen Oaks currently has approximately 500 first-generation students. The special event will help provide education and support in a fun, celebratory way focusing on accomplishments and a sense of belonging. Along with other students, staff, faculty, and community, the program will highlight the joys and struggles of first-generation students through a series of events and celebrations. Social media posts and emails will be sent to share resources and success tips about the barriers first-generation students may face.

smiling student with laptop

Recent Grant

Constantine High School

Geometry Mini-Golf Course

Constantine High School's geometry classes are teaming up with the Advanced Wood Shop students to create a Geometry Mini Putt-Putt Golf Course. The grant given provides the materials to physically make the course. The students will apply what they have learned about angles in class to figure out ways to make holes-in-one for the actual course on each hole. Specifically, the students will be utilizing transformational geometry to golf. The project will require 37 students from both disciplines to finish.

blue golf ball on green turf

Recent Grant

Constantine Public Schools

Instruments for Riverside

Constantine Riverside Elementary School will expand its music program which serves 3rd through 5th grades. Currently, the 5th-grade students learn the ukulele, but the third and fourth-grade students do not have an instrument to learn. Recently, the Constantine Area Community Foundation has provided a grant to purchase bucket drums for the 3rd-grade music curriculum and recorders for the 4th-grade curriculum. The purchase of these instruments will enrich the musical growth of students moving through Constantine Public Schools for years to come.

child playing recorder

Recent Grant

Grant Applications Calendar

CONSTANTINE YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FUND

Supports youth-related programs and projects in the Constantine area.

One competitive grant cycle per year by application only.

March 1

STURGIS YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FUND

Supports youth-related programs and projects in the Sturgis area.

Two competitive grant cycles per year (spring and fall) by application only.

March 1

WILLIAM & HELEN DOYLE EXCHANGE CLUB FUND COMMUNITY SERVICE AWARD GRANT

Supports charitable and educational programs in the Sturgis area.

One competitive grant cycle per year by application only.

May 1

HEALTHY YOUTH & HEALTHY SENIORS FUND

Support for programs focusing on healthy lifestyle choices and activities for youth and seniors.

One competitive grant cycle per year by application only.

October 15

STURGIS YOUTH ADVISORY COUNCIL FUND

Supports youth-related programs and projects in the Sturgis area.

Two competitive grant cycles per year (spring and fall) by application only.

November 1

FORL FUND

Provides student teaching grant awards to education majors fulfilling their student teaching requirement.

One competitive grant cycle per year by application only. Applications may be accepted at other times of the year-please call the Foundation for information on possible additional dates.

December 1

NEWELL A. & GRACE A. FRANKS FUND

Supports charitable and educational programs in the Sturgis area.

Review of completed applications is at the discretion of the Fund's Advisory Committee.

Year-Round

COMMUNITY IMPACT GRANTS

Supports the mission of the Community Foundation — to make a positive, lasting impact on the quality of life in local communities throughout St. Joseph County, Michigan. Community Impact Grant applications are designated for requests of more than $5,000. For requests less than $5,000, see our Micro-Grants application.

Four competitive grant cycles per year. Grant committees review requests for proposals quarterly.

Year-Round

COMMUNITY MICRO-GRANTS

SACF Micro-Grants are perfect for smaller organizations or projects seeking funding of $5,000 or less. Historically, funds support requests for initiatives that directly benefit residents of the Sturgis area and surrounding communities in St. Joseph County, Michigan.

Micro-Grants may be funded at any time throughout the year based on the giving interests of the fund holders or available grant dollars.

Year-Round

OTHER CHARITABLE INTEREST FUNDS

Support areas include Animal Care, Arts and Culture, Community Well-Being, Health and Recreation, Scholarship Funds, Youth, Education, and Leadership, and designated funds support for specific non-profit organizations.

SACF holds over 100 funds serving many areas of charitable interest. If you are a qualified organization with a charitable need not met by any of the listed grant opportunities please call us for other grant possibilities.

Year-Round

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