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Values

The Branch County Community Foundation (BCCF) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) dedicated to improving the quality of life in the communities of Branch County and Colon, Michigan.

The Community Foundation was established in 1991 by a group of individuals that connected from local Rotary clubs who saw the need for a community foundation supported by donors from all walks of life.

The Community Foundation offers professional services and a place to begin for people who want to work together to create strong, prosperous communities.

Our endowment funds are preserved, invested, and managed to assure a steady stream of income for grants to organizations that serve our community.

Donors can contribute to one of over 90 funds or establish a new charitable fund at the foundation. Our mission at the Branch County Community Foundation is to promote community philanthropy, build endowments and other charitable funds, and connect community resources.

The Community Foundation has grown to its present size because of gifts and bequests from hundreds of individuals, families, organizations, and corporations.

Today the Community Foundation has total permanent assets of over $7 million!

The 2020 ILE Memorial Music Scholarship Committee had special guests for the committee meeting! Irma's son and world renowned trumpet player and the trumpet soloist for the U.S. Army Band, Woody English, and Irma's Daughter, Carol English Parker, and longtime friend Karen Wilkins joined the committee to review the 2020 ILE Memorial Music Scholarship Applications. We were honored to have them be part of the process.

Branch County Community Foundation staff got to celebrate President & CEO, Colleen Knight, for receiving the 2020 Coldwater Area Chamber of Commerce Public Service Professional of the Year award!

We believe in

Working together to build strong communities:

Openly sharing who we are and how we operate:

Honoring donor intent:

Creating beneficial outcomes for all of our constituents:

And creating mission-based financial sustainability so that we can continue to serve in perpetuity.

Our Mission

We promote and inspire community generosity and giving, by bringing together passionate people and resources in our collective efforts to make an enduring difference in the community we love.

Our Long Term Vision for 2026

BCCF is well-established as a community leader and viewed as an important resource for key community initiatives focused on making Branch County and Colon places people want to live, work and visit. We have a reputation as a strong community partner who is willing to innovate and collaborate to address important community needs. The community understands who we are, what we do and how to connect with us. Our Board and staff are proud of the work we are doing, and are energized and comfortable representing us and serving as ambassadors. We have a diverse Board and team of volunteers representing a range of ages, backgrounds and interests. We have a culture of success and serve as a role model for best practices and performance.