New Funds at BCCF

The Branch County Community Foundation is excited to share information about three new funds opened in the spring of 2025! The Wings to Fly Scholarship, Coldwater Main Street Fund, and the Union City Society for Historic Preservation Fund will impact Branch County in various ways.

Wings to Fly Scholarship

(Donovan Sharpley presenting for the Coldwater Noon Club)

At the Branch County Community Foundation, we offer scholarship opportunities for graduating seniors and current college students. Our scholarship program reaches students from various backgrounds and academic status providing opportunities for all to pursue their dreams of attending college or trade school and obtain a degree or certification.

With the help of 2023 Coldwater High School graduate Donovan Sharpley, BCCF is excited to announce a new scholarship, Wings to Fly! This scholarship supports graduating seniors of Branch County who are on the Autism spectrum.

I named the scholarship “Wings to Fly” because I believe every student deserves the chance to rise and to reach their full potential — especially those with autism, who often face unique challenges that can make the journey to higher education even harder. The name symbolizes freedom, possibility, and hope. Just like wings give a bird the ability to lift off and soar, this scholarship is meant to give students with autism the support they need to take that next step. I am hoping this scholarship spreads awareness and am excited to support students on the spectrum in Branch County.

-Donovan Sharpley

While the scholarship is new to BCCF, Donovan has already been out in the community sharing his desires to support neurodiverse students and raise awareness. Donovan has presented to The Coldwater Noon Club and has been on WTVB Radio, with plans on providing more presentations in the future.

Coldwater Main Street Fund

Downtown Coldwater is known for its historical brick buildings, beautiful landscapes, family friendly businesses, and bustling festivals. Over the past several years, the economic growth of downtown has been a major focus for the Coldwater Main Street Program. Projects positively impacted through the Coldwater Main Street Program include the Children's Museum of Branch County, multiple business-front updates, public artwork, seasonal festivals & events, and so much more. The Coldwater Main Street Fund will allow support for the continued work happening throughout Downtown Coldwater through the Coldwater Main Street Program.

Currently, the city is working through plans to update the streetscapes of downtown Coldwater. BCCF is proud to partner with the Coldwater Main Street Program in enhancing the community we love!

Union City Society for Historic Preservation Endowment Fund

(The last known buggy to exist, built in Union City at the Walsh and Engle Buggy Co. in Union City, built in 1868)

The Union City Society for Historic Preservation (UCSHP) is dedicated to bringing the village's rich history to life. In 2024, the society was gifted the only known doctor's buggy still in existence built at the Walsh and Engle Buggy Co. in 1868, located in Union City. The Walsh and Engle Buggy Co. existed in the village building buggies. Unfortunately after nearly three years in production, the firm was destroyed by a fire.

Since obtaining the buggy, the UCSHP has worked diligently with local partners building the Walsh and Engle Buggy House, located next to the Hammond House Museum. The House will preserve the buggy for viewing by community members for many years to come, allowing shared knowledge of 1800s history in Union City across multiple generations.

"The Union City Society for Historic Preservation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving and educating the community of Union City about its rich history and heritage. Our amazing volunteers work to keep the Hammond House museum running as a dedicated place for research, education, and community pride. Without this organization, much of the history of Union City would be lost or remain undiscovered to our community members. We seek to instill an appreciation and love of our Village's history, as well as involve the community in our ever-ongoing projects. We are excited about our most recent acquisition, a restored doctor's carriage that was built in 1875 in Union City at the Walsh and Engle Buggy Co. This is the last known buggy to exist from one of our earliest businesses and we want to ensure that it can be enjoyed by the public for many years to come."

  -Bobbie Mathis, Union City Society for Historic Preservation President

The new The Union City Society for Historic Preservation Endowment Fund at BCCF will provide support for the The Union City Society for Historic Preservation to continue their journey of educating the community and preserving the history of the Village of Union City. Community members can join them by donating to the The Union City Society for Historic Preservation Endowment Fund and staying updated on their many projects!

The Branch County Community Foundation is proud to support many different causes in Branch County and Colon. If you would like to personally be part of the impact one of the new funds at BCCF, we offer several convenient ways to make donations: in-office, checks by mail, or online!