Applications are now available for the next round of Heart of Cook grants.
Administered by the Berrien Community Foundation, the Heart of Cook is the Cook nuclear power plant’s charitable arm, awarding thousands of dollars to non-profits each year. The BCF’s Kelly Gampel tells us the program seeks to support projects that will enhance the quality of life in Southwest Michigan and northwestern Indiana.
“The Heart of Cook grant seeks to support the projects and programs that have a focus on environmental protection and preservation, human services, and educational projects,” Gampel said. “While those are the focus areas of this grant program, non-profits are welcome to apply if they have another idea that they’re looking for funding for.”
Projects that involve Cook plant employees also get special consideration. The recipients are selected by a panel of Cook employees once the Berrien Community Foundation has collected all of the applications.
Gampel says applications for Heart of Cook grants are due June 9. Winners will be notified in late August and a reception to celebrate will be held in September.
In a round of grants last year, the Heart of Cook program awarded a total of $75,000 to 24 organizations. Since it started in 2003, the program has given out more than $1.2 million in grants. The grants range from $500 up to $10,000, but there are also some mini grants of less than $500.
