MONTHLY NEWS / APRIL 2022 |
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Adamah, a farm and educational program in Falls Village, Conn., distributed fresh local produce to food pantries with support from the Northwest Corner Fund, in partnership with Northwest Connecticut Community Foundation. Photo: John Dolan |
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Program, Philanthropy & Leadership Highlights
Speaker Series: New Yorker staff writer and National Book Award and Pulitzer Prize winner Evan Osnos explores the underlying causes of growing political divides through the lens of three American communities in his most recent bestselling book. He will discuss his work on Tuesday, May 10, at 7 p.m. at Shakespeare & Company's Tina Packer Playhouse with Renée Loth, an opinion columnist and former editorial page editor at The Boston Globe. Registration is required for this in-person event, which is free and open to the public. Attendees must adhere to the venue's COVID-19 policy. This event is presented by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, the Authors Guild Foundation, the Berkshire Eagle and Berkshire Bank.
Nonprofit Support: We have launched a new Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program to help our region’s nonprofit staff, board members and volunteers better achieve their missions. Grants of up to $10,000 are available to assist organizations as they refine strategies, invest in board development and evaluate program delivery. The application process is now open and will be considered on a rolling basis until all funds are expended.
Food Access: Thanks to the generosity of donors, our Fresh and Healthy Food for All initiative awarded $47,000 to 10 organizations for projects that provide access to fresh and healthy food for Columbia County residents, especially households with limited resources. Learn more about these projects on our blog.
BTCF News: The spring issue of our BTCF News publication contains stories of generosity and service from each of our four counties. Read about a mother and son who are creating connections across race and culture in Columbia County; a program to give nonprofit leaders the tools to adapt and thrive in northwest Litchfield County; grantees who are changing lives for the growing immigrant community in northeast Dutchess County; and a generous Berkshire County couple who is committed to the arts and agriculture.
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Board, Staff & Committee News
We're Hiring: Berkshire Taconic seeks an Administrative Coordinator to maintain office and building operations, provide data and administrative support, and support the foundation’s senior staff. This is a part-time, temporary position, with the possibility to increase hours and transition into a permanent position. Learn more and apply.
Community Engagement: As part of our Arts Build Community initiative, we co-hosted a virtual event last month that provided a forum on the power and potential of the arts for healing and social justice. BTCF President Peter Taylor kicked off the session, which featured a deep dive on Berkshire County and a discussion on how to activate research findings in the county's arts and culture sector with guest speakers from Community Access to the Arts, Jacob’s Pillow and BRIDGE. Read more on our blog.
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Grants in the News
Lake Cleanup: Friends of Oakdale Lake in Hudson will bring together community members to remove invasive species and plant more than 100 new trees with support from a Bridging Divides, Healing Communities grant. Details are in the Register-Star.
Bridging Divides, Healing Communities: BTCF President Peter Taylor and Beth Francis, president and CEO of Essex County Community Foundation, highlight efforts across Massachusetts to use art to address social issues in CommonWealth Magazine. The piece shares the work of Berkshire County grantees Sheffield Historical Society, Clinton Church Restoration and Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.
Health Center: A Community Health and Wellness Center will be built in North Canaan with support from the Foundation for Community Health and Berkshire Taconic. Read about the plans for the center in the Republican-American.
Helping the Helpers: Our COVID-19 Emergency Response Fund for Berkshire County awarded grants to 23 nonprofits for staff well-being activities. Read more about the recipients in the Berkshire Eagle. These grants were distributed in partnership with Berkshire United Way, Northern Berkshire United Way and Williamstown Community Chest.
Education Enrichment: The Eagle Fund and Janet's Fund awarded a combined $36,950 to support activities and projects in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District. These grants are featured in the Berkshire Edge.
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Coming Up
Golf Tournament: The Taconic Hills Education Enrichment Fund will host a benefit golf tournament at Undermountain Golf Course in Copake on May 7.
Art Exhibit: The work of painter Duane Slick is on display at the Aldrich Contemporary Art Museum in Ridgefield, Conn., through May 8, thanks in part to a grant from the Artist's Resource Trust Fund.
Health Center: Grand opening ceremonies for the Webutuck School-Based Health Center will be held during Community Day at Webutuck High School on May 14. The Foundation for Community Health helped fund construction costs.
Drum Class and Performance: Central Berkshire Fund grantee Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center will host its Caribbean Fest on May 21 at Zion Lutheran Church of Pittsfield.
Nonprofit Awards: The annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards will recognize seven honorees and all Berkshire County nonprofits during a virtual event on May 24.
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