Children and Youth in Michigan

The Carolyn’s Kids grant program is administered through a partnership between the Berrien Community Foundation and the Hanson Family Foundation. It reflects the philanthropic vision of Carolyn Hanson, whose commitment to improving the lives of children serves as the guiding principle for this funding opportunity. The program is designed to respond to evolving community needs and emphasizes the importance of investing in youth as a foundation for long-term community well-being. By targeting children and youth in specific local areas, the grant seeks to create meaningful and lasting improvements in quality of life. The primary purpose of the Carolyn’s Kids grant is to support programs that directly benefit children and youth in the Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and Stevensville areas. The funding is intended for both new and existing initiatives that address emerging and changing needs. Eligible programs may focus on a variety of areas, including meeting basic needs, enhancing educational experiences, supporting mental and emotional well-being, improving safety and security, and preparing young people for future success. The grant encourages applicants to design programs that are responsive to current community challenges and opportunities. Funding is structured as two separate awards of 50,000 dollars each. These funds may be used for single-year or multi-year projects, offering flexibility in program design and implementation. For example, applicants may propose a two-year initiative utilizing 25,000 dollars per year. The grant amount requested should represent a significant portion of the overall project budget, indicating that the program is meaningfully supported by the award while potentially leveraging additional resources. Collaboration and partnerships are also emphasized, as projects that demonstrate cooperative efforts are viewed favorably. Eligibility for the Carolyn’s Kids grant is broad but clearly defined. Applicants must be organizations operating within the specified geographic areas and may include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, churches engaged in community work, and governmental agencies. All applicants must demonstrate a commitment to improving outcomes for children and youth in the targeted communities. The program is not open to individuals or entities outside these categories, and projects must be aligned with the mission of enhancing children’s lives within the designated service areas. The application process requires submission through an online grant application portal accessible via the Berrien Community Foundation. Applicants must complete and submit their materials by the stated deadline of July 1 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. While specific application components are not detailed in the provided material, it is implied that applicants must present a clear program plan, budget, and evidence of impact aligned with the grant’s priorities. There is no mention of a pre-application requirement such as a letter of intent, indicating that the process likely involves a single-stage submission. Applications are evaluated based on their alignment with the program’s goals and the extent to which they demonstrate the ability to improve the lives of children and youth. Strong proposals are expected to show measurable impact, clear planning, and collaboration with relevant partners. Additional consideration is given to projects that address multiple dimensions of child well-being and that reflect thoughtful use of the requested funds. The emphasis on adaptability and responsiveness suggests that evaluators value innovative approaches to changing community needs. The timeline for the grant is straightforward and recurring on an annual basis. Applications are due each year on July 1, and award announcements are made in September during the Berrien Community Foundation Annual Meeting. This consistent cycle indicates that organizations may plan for future opportunities if they are not selected in a given year. The grant does not specify a defined performance period, but the allowance for multi-year funding suggests flexibility in project timelines depending on the proposal submitted.

Focus on demonstrating measurable impact on children and youth; align proposal with stated priority areas such as education, well-being, and safety; highlight partnerships and collaboration; ensure requested funding represents a meaningful portion of total project budget