Low Family Foundation grants $150K to four local nonprofits

Berrien Community Foundation administers the foundation's donations to support community projects.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 1:00am

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A photorealistic studio still life featuring a stack of grant award certificates, a fountain pen, and a checkbook arranged on a clean white background, symbolizing the abstract concepts of corporate philanthropy and community investment.A philanthropic foundation's grants provide vital support to local nonprofits serving the community.Niles Today

The Joseph and Rosemary Low Family Foundation has announced $150,000 in grants to four nonprofit organizations in the region, including Fernwood Botanical Garden, the Chicago History Museum, the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan, and WNIT Public Television. The Berrien Community Foundation administers the Low Family Foundation's donations, which aim to support impactful community projects.

Why it matters

The Low Family Foundation's grants provide crucial funding to local nonprofits that serve the community in diverse ways, from preserving nature and history to supporting animal welfare and public media. This type of philanthropic investment helps strengthen the region's nonprofit ecosystem and enhances the quality of life for residents.

The details

The grants include $50,000 each for Fernwood Botanical Garden and the Chicago History Museum, $25,000 for the Humane Society of Southwest Michigan's cat patio project, and $25,000 for WNIT Public Television. The Low Family Foundation was established in 2023 with a donation to the Berrien Community Foundation, which now administers the foundation's grant program.

  • The Low Family Foundation announced the grants on April 19, 2026.
  • The deadline to apply for the foundation's $5,000 'We See You Grants' is June 1, 2026.

The players

Joseph and Rosemary Low Family Foundation

A philanthropic organization established in 2023 that provides grants to support community projects in the region.

Berrien Community Foundation

A nonprofit organization that administers the Low Family Foundation's grant program and accepts applications for its community-focused donations.

Fernwood Botanical Garden

A nature preserve and botanical garden located in Niles, Michigan that received a $50,000 grant from the Low Family Foundation.

Chicago History Museum

A museum dedicated to preserving and sharing the history of Chicago, which received a $50,000 grant from the Low Family Foundation.

Humane Society of Southwest Michigan

A nonprofit animal welfare organization that received a $25,000 grant from the Low Family Foundation to support its cat patio project.

WNIT Public Television

A public television station serving the region that received a $25,000 grant from the Low Family Foundation.

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What they’re saying

“'Mr. Low practiced law all his life, and he and his family really just wanted to support projects that were going to benefit the community.'”

— Susan Matheny, Berrien Community Foundation

“'In these challenging times, the foundation is honored to support these organizations for the impact they make in their community.'”

— Dr. John Low, Chair, Low Family Foundation

What’s next

The Berrien Community Foundation is now accepting applications for the Low Family Foundation's $5,000 'We See You Grants' until the June 1, 2026 deadline.

The takeaway

The Low Family Foundation's grants demonstrate the power of strategic philanthropy to uplift a diverse array of local nonprofits and strengthen the community's social fabric. By partnering with the Berrien Community Foundation, the foundation is able to identify and support impactful projects that improve quality of life for residents across the region.