Getting to Know Your Community Foundation
Did you know that the Branch County Community Foundation is your Community Foundation?
Whether you’ve been involved with BCCF for years or are just getting to know us, we want you to know that the Community Foundation exists for you, and for the causes and community you care about.
Maybe you’re passionate about education. Maybe healthcare, social services, the arts, workforce development, childcare, or creating more opportunities for young people. Whatever causes matter most to you, BCCF can help you turn your generosity into meaningful impact right here at home.
One of the unique things about a community foundation is that it brings people together around a shared commitment to making their community better. At BCCF, individuals, families, businesses, and organizations have established charitable funds that are all part of something bigger. Some donors create funds to support their favorite nonprofits or causes. Others establish scholarship funds to open doors for local students. Some create donor-advised funds, giving them a simple and flexible way to recommend grants to charitable organizations they care about.
There are many ways to give, but the goal is the same: to make a difference in the community you call home.
As a public charity recognized by the IRS, contributions to BCCF are eligible for the most favorable charitable deductions available under tax law. But the value of your Community Foundation goes well beyond the tax benefits of charitable giving.
One of BCCF's greatest strengths is our connection to this community.
Every day, our team works alongside our Board of Directors, nonprofit organizations, civic leaders, donors, businesses, and community members to understand what is happening across Branch County and where help is needed most. Because communities change, the needs we see today may not be the needs we see tomorrow. A community emergency might require immediate resources after a disaster. Local students may need scholarships to pursue their education. Families may need greater access to childcare. Employers may need a stronger workforce. Nonprofits may need resources to meet growing demands. Our community may identify new challenges that we haven't even anticipated yet.
We believe philanthropy works best when it understands the community it is serving.
That's why BCCF isn't simply a place where charitable dollars are held. We are a connector, convener, funder, and partner, bringing people and resources together to address the issues that matter most.
Investing in today and tomorrow.
There is something special about a community foundation's ability to think beyond the immediate moment. Some gifts help meet today's needs. Others are invested to create resources for generations to come. Endowed funds can continue supporting a cause, organization, or community priority year after year, long after the original gift was made.
That is the power of community philanthropy: your generosity can become a lasting part of the community's future.
At BCCF, our goal isn't simply to give money away. It's to help grow philanthropy and make thoughtful investments that strengthen Branch County for the long term.
So, what does that mean for you?
It means the Branch County Community Foundation is your Community Foundation.
It belongs to the donor who wants to create a scholarship in memory of a loved one. It belongs to the family looking for a meaningful way to give back. It belongs to the business that wants to invest in a stronger community. It belongs to the nonprofit working to make a difference. And it belongs to every person who cares about making Branch County a place where people want to live, work, raise a family, and visit.
You don't have to know exactly what your charitable giving should look like. You don't have to have millions of dollars to make a difference. And you don't have to navigate it alone.
That's what we're here for.
The Branch County Community Foundation is your partner in philanthropy, helping you give with purpose, connecting you to the needs of our community, and working alongside you to create possibilities for generations to come.
There is so much more to know! Contact the office by phone, email, or stopping by at 2 W. Chicago St., Suite E1 in Downtown Coldwater.
