The Joseph N. and Rosemary E. Low Family Foundation has awarded $250,000 in grants to support non-profits across Berrien County and the surrounding region.

The newly established family foundation, operating through the Berrien Community Foundation, awarded 22 grants to organizations that reflect the values of the Low family, who were raised in the greater Niles area. Included for the second year were “We See You” grants, which provide $5,000 awards recognizing the work of community non-profits.

The Berrien Community Foundation says the grants support a wide range of needs, including food pantries, meals programs, arts and cultural organizations, schools, and historical institutions in communities including Benton Harbor, Niles, Three Oaks, Buchanan, Bridgman, and South Haven. In addition, the foundation awarded four larger general-support grants, including $50,000 to Fernwood Botanical Garden in Niles and Fried’s Cat Shelter in Michigan City, Indiana.

Foundation leaders say the partnership with the Berrien Community Foundation will ensure the Low family’s charitable mission continues to strengthen local organizations for generations to come.

We have the full list of this year’s grant recipients below.

Photo: L-R Foundation Advisory Board Chairperson John N. Low and Fernwood Executive Director Mary Krinock in 2024.

The Low Foundation awarded We See You Grants to the following organizations:

· The Acorn Center for the Performing Arts (general support), Three Oaks, MI
· African American History & Literature Gallery (food pantry), Benton Harbor, MI
· Brandywine Community Schools (Keeping Our Bobcats Warm This Winter program), Niles, MI
· Caring Clothes Co-op (general support), New Carlisle, IN
· Ferry Street Resource Center (food pantry), Niles, MI
· Harbor Country Emergency Food Pantry (food pantry), Three Oaks, MI
· Meals on Wheels (meals for clients in southern Berrien County), Niles, MI
· Mosaic CCDA (Feel Good Fridge), Benton Harbor, MI
· Mount Calvary Baptist Church (food pantry), Niles, MI
· Neighbor by Neighbor (food pantry), Union Pier, MI
· New Carlisle Community Food Pantry (food pantry), New Carlisle, IN
· North Berrien Historical Museum (general support), Coloma, MI
· Our Lady Queen of Peace (food pantry), Bridgman, MI
· Redbud Area Ministries (food pantry, display racks, client financial assistance), Buchanan, MI
· Roti Roti Art Center (general support), Buchanan, MI
· Scott Club (general support), South Haven, MI
· The Soup Kitchen (general support), Benton Harbor, MI
· Water Street Glassworks (general support), Benton Harbor, MI

In addition to We See You Grants, LFF awarded four major general-support grants to:

· Fernwood Botanical Garden, Niles, MI, $50,000
· Fried’s Cat Shelter, Michigan City, IN, $50,000
· Chicago History Museum, Chicago, IL, $50,000
· The History Museum, South Bend, IN $10,000