Carolyn's Kids Grant Program

Carolyn’s Kids is a place-based grant initiative created through a partnership between the Hanson Family Foundation and the Berrien Community Foundation. The program reflects the legacy and values of Carolyn Hanson, whose commitment to improving the lives of children guides the purpose of the fund. The grant is designed to strengthen communities by investing in programs that directly benefit children and youth, particularly in the Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, and Stevensville areas in Michigan. The program emphasizes the belief that supporting children is essential to long-term community well-being and future societal success. The primary objective of Carolyn’s Kids is to fund impactful programs that address the evolving needs of children. The grant supports both new and existing initiatives that demonstrate meaningful improvements in children’s lives. Priority is given to programs that meet basic needs, enhance educational opportunities, promote mental and emotional well-being, increase safety and security, and prepare youth for future success. The funding is intended to be flexible enough to respond to emerging challenges while maintaining a clear focus on measurable community impact. Two grants of $50,000 each are awarded through this program. Applicants may propose single-year or multi-year projects, with flexibility in structuring the budget over time, such as allocating funds across two years. The requested amount should represent a significant portion of the overall project budget, indicating that the grant plays a central role in enabling the project. Collaboration is strongly encouraged, and successful proposals often demonstrate partnerships among organizations or stakeholders that enhance program reach and effectiveness. Eligibility for the grant includes a range of community-serving entities. Qualified applicants include 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations, schools, churches engaged in community-focused work, and governmental agencies. All applicants must demonstrate a clear commitment to improving the lives of children and youth within the specified geographic areas. Programs must directly serve children in Benton Harbor, St. Joseph, or Stevensville, ensuring that the funding remains locally focused and community-driven. The application process requires submission through the designated application portal by the stated deadline. Applications must be completed and submitted by July 1 at 11:59 p.m. While specific application components are not detailed, applicants are expected to clearly describe program goals, target populations, implementation plans, and anticipated outcomes. Emphasis is placed on demonstrating community need, program effectiveness, and the ability to execute the proposed activities. Applications are reviewed by the administering foundation, with evaluation criteria centered on alignment with program priorities, community impact, collaboration, and feasibility. Winning proposals are selected based on their potential to significantly improve the lives of children in the targeted areas. Award recipients are publicly announced in September during the Berrien Community Foundation Annual Meeting, providing recognition and visibility for funded initiatives. The program operates on an annual cycle, with a consistent application deadline of July 1. This recurring structure allows organizations to plan future submissions and refine proposals over time. For additional information or assistance, applicants may contact the Berrien Community Foundation directly at its office in St. Joseph, Michigan, or by phone. The foundation serves as the primary administrative and contact entity for this grant program.

Focus on programs that directly improve children’s lives; demonstrate collaboration; ensure requested funding is a significant portion of total budget; align clearly with stated priority areas