MONTHLY NEWS / FEBRUARY 2022 |
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Program, Philanthropy & Leadership Highlights
Ukraine Crisis: CARE, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee and the Center for Disaster Philanthropy are among the organizations with new charitable funds prioritizing support for women and girls, families, seniors, at-risk internally displaced peoples and refugees in Ukraine. A list of resources for providing support and assistance can be found on the Philanthropy Massachusetts website, where it will be updated.
Community Engagement: Our strategic priorities are the building blocks for a stronger region. They help us sharpen our direction, identify and fund community projects, and create partnerships for lasting change. Read a brief progress report on our investments in community engagement from BTCF Director of Strategy, Evaluation and Learning Tim Wilmot. He explains how we are working to increase involvement, foster connections and harness the skills and expertise people can bring to organizations and communities.
Economic Opportunity: EforAll Berkshire County has extended to Columbia County in its mission to help residents turn their promising ideas into successful businesses and stimulate inclusive economic growth. This month, a group of entrepreneurs—including four Columbia County residents—joined a 12-week intensive spring accelerator program to hone their pitches, participate in classes and receive guidance from volunteer mentors. Also, local small business owners will share their stories during an in-person panel and networking event at the Hudson Free Library on March 10.
Two Funds Support Artists: The Artist's Resource Trust (A.R.T.) Fund and the Martha Boschen Porter Fund recently awarded nearly $190,000 in grants to support the work of local and regional artists. Recipients use this opportunity to explore new creative paths in all forms of media. Read more on our blog, and watch a short video to hear about the impact of these gifts in the words of a Williamstown artist.
Helping the Helpers: Our partnership with Berkshire United Way, Northern Berkshire United Way and Williamstown Community Chest continues with a round of $500 grants for well-being activities for nonprofit staff. This funding through our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County is available to organizations that are consistently providing direct services to vulnerable residents during the pandemic and the recent surge. Applications are due March 15, and grants will be disbursed quickly.
New Fund to Note: The new Becket Arts Center Secure Fund is a nonprofit agency fund to provide reliable financial support for the organization's mission to ensure that creative expression is part of community life.
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Board, Staff & Committee News
Board Member Supports Hudson Organizations: BTCF board member and Fund for Columbia County Chair Peter Frank is participating in the March 5 Oakdale Plunge to raise funds for The Hudson Youth Department Waterfront Program and the Hudson Fire Department's Water Rescue and Dive Team.
Bridging Communities Projects and Fellowship: The Center for Inclusion and Belonging has issued an open call for Bridging Communities Projects to crowdsource the best ideas and activities underway across the U.S. that bring people together to work for the common good while building relationships to help bridge differences. An honorarium will be paid to the 10 highest-ranked ideas, and nonprofits may be invited to apply for a fellowship opportunity. BTCF Board Member Suzette Brooks Masters is a senior strategist for the center, a project of the American Immigration Council.
New Staff Members: We welcome Administrative Coordinator Jane Naylor of Copake Falls, N.Y., and Tech Operations Manager Jennifer Windram of Housatonic, Mass., to our team. Jane supports the operations of our office, and Jen manages our information technology projects.
New Committee Members: Griffin Labbance and Annie Rodgers of North Adams have joined the volunteer advisory committee of our James and Robert Hardman Fund, which funds projects that enrich the lives of residents of North Adams, Florida and Clarksburg in Massachusetts, and neighboring Stamford, Vt.
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Grants in the News
Fund Honors Fallen Capitol Officer: A fundraising campaign for the Billy Evans Memorial Scholarship Fund at BTCF, named in honor of Capitol Police Officer William Evans, who died in the line of duty, was featured by ABC News 10. Billy was born in North Adams, and the “$42 for 42” fundraising campaign recognized his 42nd birthday, which would have taken place on Feb. 18.
Housatonic River Access: As it looks to make river access more equitable, the Housatonic Valley Association has received a grant from the Northwest Corner Fund (and partner Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation) to expand its internship program. Learn more in a Litchfield County Times article.
Affordable Housing in Millerton: The Millerton-North East working group of the Tri-Town Coalition met with residents to discuss changing the narrative about affordable housing, as outlined in The Millerton News. The coalition recently received funding from the Northeast Dutchess Fund through Hudson River Housing to host a series of three community trainings on affordable housing.
Affordable Housing in Litchfield County: The new Litchfield County Center for Housing Opportunity will facilitate a coordinated, regional response to address housing affordability in the Northwest Corner. It is a strategic partnership among multiple nonprofits, with funding from Berkshire Taconic and the Foundation for Community Health. Read a profile of Jocelyn Ayer, the director of the center, in the Republican-American.
Bright Morningstar Kitchen: Berkshire Dream Center is opening a restaurant-style free meal site in Pittsfield called Bright Morningstar Kitchen with support from a Berkshire Taconic grant. Read more about the kitchen and a program to provide workforce training in iBerkshires.
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Coming Up
Institute for Trustees: The Institute for Trustees invites nonprofit leaders across our four-county region to gather virtually for 25 educational workshops and networking opportunities from April 11 to May 26. The discounted early bird rate of $110 is available until March 11. Full board registration is available for $500. Learn more and register today. We present this conference in partnership with Essex County Community Foundation, the Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts and SouthCoast Community Foundation.
Webinars for Berkshire Nonprofits: Programming from our Massachusetts Community Foundations Partnership continues with two free webinars. Berkshire County nonprofits can register for "The Great Resignation: Exploring Ways to Retain Nonprofit Employees" on March 9, and "The Power of Equity in Fundraising" on March 15. Register and watch recordings of previous sessions.
Musical Performances: The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center is hosting two performances with Colombian musician Diana Burco with support from our Arts Build Community initiative. Enjoy a concert at the theater on March 13, and a free community event at Berkshire Community College on March 14.
Early Literacy and Learning: Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood provides free early learning programming for children ages 1-4 every week in Columbia County with support from our Talk Read Sing Columbia initiative.
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