These Affiliates of the Battle Creek Community Foundation function as separate foundations serving a specific geographic area within Calhoun County. They provide all the benefits of a local community foundation. Administrative requirements and stewardship functions are completed through the Battle Creek Community Foundation.

Community Project Funds are nonendowed funds held at the Battle Creek Community Foundation for various projects, groups, and organizations within the Battle Creek area. They provide an important opportunity for BCCF to offer service and leadership to the community. These funds present large variations in size, activity level, fee structure, and longevity.

A Donor Advised Fund is for those who would like to establish a fund with the Battle Creek Community Foundation and want to make suggestions from time to time on distributions from the fund. Through a Donor Advised Fund, you can have an active hand in your charitable giving, as well as suggest which organizations should be supported, such as your high school or college, church, or other favorite charity. Many donors send out several donations throughout the year to different charities of their choice. Having a Donor Advised Fund takes the burden off the donor, as the Community Foundation does all the work in getting the grants sent out to the charities that the donor suggests. This type of fund is a great way to stay involved in the use of your gift!

These funds provide permanent support for a specific field of interest where funds are not committed to a particular organization. You may choose to support a specific area such as the arts, education, health, human services, or other. A volunteer committee then makes grants to the most appropriate programs and organizations serving this area.

The Community Foundation offers Organizational Endowment Funds, which hold and manage assets for charitable organizations. Local organizations can support their long-term objectives by creating an Organizational Endowment Fund with the Battle Creek Community Foundation.

An individual can help support a local charitable organization of their choice by establishing an organizational fund that is managed by the Battle Creek Community Foundation. This type of fund will support the long-term objectives of the organization and allows the donor’s name to be attached to the name of the fund. This is a great way to memorialize a person’s name in honor of the organization they loved!

Establishing a scholarship fund provides an opportunity for scholarships to be awarded in your name or the name of a loved one, while helping to educate and train our future work force. Creating a scholarship opportunity to help others achieve their educational goals is certainly making a difference in the lives of individuals in this community! The Battle Creek Community Foundation is working with partners to implement program elements that will help lead us to our ultimate goal of making sure that every individual, regardless of financial status, has an opportunity to complete college or technical training education.

Supporting Organizations are separate corporations related to the Battle Creek Community Foundation with their own board of trustees and the ability to award grants and operate programs. Supporting Organizations receive all the benefits of a “public charity,” because of the affiliation with the Community Foundation, which often provides an alternative to establishing a private foundation. In some instances, staffing resources of the Community Foundation are available to assist with grantmaking or programming services.