MONTHLY NEWS  /  JUNE 2022
Laura Didyk of Great Barrington received a Martha Boschen Porter Fund grant last year to work on a book-length memoir. Applications for this year's grant cycle are due July 15.
Photo: John Dolan
Program, Philanthropy & Leadership Highlights 

Economic Opportunity: EforAll Berkshire County continues to help residents turn their promising ideas into successful businesses and stimulate inclusive economic growth. Earlier this month, EforAll celebrated the accomplishments and progress of its spring accelerator cohort and awarded nearly $10,000 in prizes to participating entrepreneurs. EforAll's July 27 pitch contest and fall accelerator are both accepting applications. Meanwhile, previous participants are succeeding in their missions. Roxie's Barkery is offering homemade dog treats at a new storefront in North Adams, and Erin Laundry, owner of Bottomless Bricks, will be on season 3 of LEGO Masters this fall.

Strengthening Nonprofits: We launched a new Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program this year to help organizations refine their strategy, invest in board development and improve fundraising capacity to better achieve their missions. We recently awarded nearly $125,000 to 17 nonprofits throughout our four-county region for projects such as strategic planning assistance, board development, organizational assessments and database enhancements.

Area Fund Grants: Our regional network of area funds provides hands-on leadership to build stronger and more equitable communities. The Fund for Columbia County recently awarded over $110,000 to 30 organizations through Community Impact and Aging with Dignity grants. Last month, the Northeast Dutchess Fund granted over $185,000 to 24 organizations, including an increase in awards to nonprofits that provide fresh and healthy food to those in need.

Kapteyn Prize: After pausing due to the pandemic, the selection committee of the James C. Kapteyn Prize has recognized two educators for excellence in teaching. Jolyn Unruh, an English and drama teacher at Monument Mountain Regional High School, and Kimberly Karlin, a math teacher and drama director at the Academy at Charlemont, will each receive $10,000 for study or travel to enrich their teaching. Each school will be awarded a $2,000 grant in honor of their respective recipients.
Board, Staff & Committee News

New Board Members: The BTCF board welcomes two new members following June elections. Gregg Osofsky is operations director of the Watershed Center in Millerton, and chief financial officer of Hammertown, his family's home and lifestyle store with locations in Pine Plains, Rhinebeck and Great Barrington. Daniel S. Sternberg, who lives in the town of North East, counseled U.S. and international clients on corporate issues and transactions over his 30-year career as a corporate lawyer. We thank outgoing board members Bob Norris and Emilie Pryor for their many years of dedicated leadership.  

Board Member Elected Corporator: Pamela Green, vice chair of the BTCF board, was recently elected as a corporator of Community Bancorp of the Berkshires. She is a partner at the law firm Smith Green & Holmes in Pittsfield.

We're Hiring: Berkshire Taconic seeks a full-time Administrative Coordinator to maintain office and building operations, provide data and administrative support, and support the foundation’s senior staff. Learn more and apply.

Outgoing Staff: We thank outgoing Senior Staff Accountant Lisa Mlynarczyk for 15 years of service with BTCF. As one of the foundation's longest-serving employees, Lisa supported our staff, donors and grantees with a winning combination of diligence, problem solving and unmatched knowledge of our funds and operations. We wish her the best as she embarks on a new chapter.
Grants in the News

Bridging Divides: Salisbury School student Clarence Nurse published an article in Main Street Magazine that reflects on the recent Troutbeck Symposium in Amenia. Our Bridging Divides, Healing Communities initiative supported this event, which shed light on the area's role in civil rights through art exhibitions, documentaries and conversations with young people from nine local schools. 

Fresh and Healthy Food: The Berkshire Edge takes an in-depth look at how local nonprofits and individuals are addressing food insecurity in southern Berkshire County. The article highlights the generosity of Bob and Mary Ann Norris, who made a multi-year gift from their BTCF donor advised fund to create a new food coordinator position at Fairview Hospital’s Rural Health Network.

Student Art: Young students worked with two artists to create a new mural in Hudson that expresses diversity, identity and community, thanks to a grant from the Hudson Schools Arts and Humanities Fund. Learn more and view a photo of the mural in the Register-Star.

Nature Programs: The Crane Family Fund awarded a grant to Berkshire Environmental Action Team to connect children with nature at parks in Pittsfield's West Side. Read more in the Berkshire Eagle.
Coming Up

Summer Music: The NorthEast-Millerton Library is hosting a Twilight at the Pond concert series with support from the Northeast Dutchess Fund. Concerts are scheduled for July 9, July 23 and Aug. 13 at Rudd Pond State Park.

Food Fundraisers: Two of our partners are hosting food-related fundraisers this month. The Sylvia Center's farm dinner will be held in Kinderhook on July 16. North East Community Center's annual Chef & Farmer Brunch is coming to Lime Rock Park in Lakeville on July 24.

Clambake Fundraiser: The Jane Lloyd Fund's annual clambake will be held in Salisbury on Saturday, July 30, from 2-8 p.m. This popular community event provides resources to help meet the basic needs of cancer patients and their families who live or work in northwest Connecticut.

Community Concert: The Hudson Festival Orchestra will host a free community concert at the Henry Hudson Riverfront Park on Saturday, July 30, from 4-9 p.m. The event is funded in part by the Fund for Columbia County.

STAY CONNECTED  /  berkshiretaconic.org