Community Impact
Making our communities better places to live, work, gather, and play through our Community Wellness Endowment. Applications due October 1.
Supporting our Community Wellness
We make our communities better places to live, work, gather and play by partnering with over 75 social organizations who provide services that address the social determinants of health and improve health and wellness in our community. Our Community Wellness Endowment supports nonprofit organizations committed to improving health and wellness in our communities.
United Through Motherhood
Baby essentials program - Grant amount: $11,000
United through Motherhood, is committed to helping babies and their families thrive. Whether it's to offset the high cost of disposable diapers so the parent can work or further their education, or simply to put less financial stress on the family, we hope to make life better for all the babies of Southwest Michigan. The organization supports babies and their families by donating free diapers, pullups, diaper cream and baby wipes through ten community partners who vet the clients for need. They are estimating 3000 individuals in Berrien County will utilize these services in the next year.
EnFocus, Inc.
The City of Niles’ 3rd Street corridor and the City of Buchanan’s northside neighborhood home repair programs - Grant amount: $47,500
The City of Niles’ 3rd Street corridor and the City of Buchanan’s northside neighborhood home repair programs aim to repair and improve health and safety of owner-occupied homes in each city. In the first phase of these programs, they anticipate 20 homes will receive home repairs free of cost. The home repair programs will serve low to middle-income populations to address health and safety concerns in housing conditions. Specifically, in Buchanan, the program prioritizes the historically black Northside Neighborhood, to address historical disinvestment. By focusing in these residents, the programs demonstrate a commitment to health equity by addressing specific needs like ramps for safety and ADA needs, health and air quality improvements, partial roof repairs and more.
Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation
Flourish Community Garden - Grant amount: $14,950
The Benton Harbor Community Development Corporation (BHCDC) is a resident-led organization that spearheads equitable community revitalization efforts in the city of Benton Harbor. Its holistic approach to building community is guided by innovation and collaboration. The BHCDC was founded to advance and create equitable opportunities throughout the Benton Harbor community. They are committed to creating a supportive and accessible environment where everyone has equitable access to healthcare and health and wellness related services. The purpose of this grant is to purchase an irrigation system for the Flourish Community Garden, as part of the necessary ADA accessibility redesign.
About the endowment
Through our Community Wellness Endowment we support non-profit community organizations that promote community health and wellness in Southwest Michigan.
- Applicants must provide documentation verifying 501 (c) (3) status
- Applicants will complete the online form and provide additional support, including a budget
- Applications will be reviewed twice a year
- The oversight committee reserves the rights to roll monies forward to the next application period
- Applications from organizations that are currently funded will not be considered for new grants until the original grant has been fulfilled. *One grant per calendar year
- Recipient organizations will be required to submit a report to Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan on a semi-annual basis demonstrating progress of the grant reaching its intended purpose
- If allocated funds are no longer needed, the original purpose has changed or stated goals are not being met, the organization may be required to return the grant or resubmit for a revised program
- Marketing and communications opportunities will be determined on a situational basis in collaboration with Corewell Health Foundation Southwest Michigan
Grants will fund:
- Capital campaigns
- Start-up costs for a new initiatives (including operational costs)
- Programs
- Program expansions
Grants will not fund:
- Individuals
- Lakeland affiliates
- Religious or political organizations for internal purposes
- Ongoing operating budgets
- Debt reduction
About the Foundation
Soroya Pierre-VanArtsen
President and vice president, philanthropy
Amy Zapal
Senior foundation specialist
Amanda English
Foundation specialist
Susan Burkholz
Executive assistant
Dean Napp
Development officer, Southwestern Medical Clinic Foundation
Demi Jensen
Foundation coordinator
Julie Elliott
Manager, volunteer services
Executive Committee
Dana Wales, Chair
Shane Shidler, Vice chair
Tamara Phillippe, Secretary
Heather Lallo, Treasurer
President
Soroya Pierre-VanArtsen
Board Members
Natalie Baggio
Mike Birkholm
Ann Campbell
James Clever
Wendy Edwards
Jerry French
Scott Geik
Brittany Grasley
Randy Hendrixson
Debra Johnson
Tina Johnson
Gregory Kellogg
Dathan Lumpkins
Anna Murphy
Dennis Szymanski, MD
Sherry Wales
Mark Weber
Phone
269.927.5143
Fax
269.927.5338
Email
chfsm@corewellhealth.org
Mailing Address
1234 Napier Ave.
St. Joseph, MI 49085
Office Location
1234 Napier Ave.
St. Joseph, MI 49085