Berkshire First Five

April 17, 2023

Be the first each week to receive news about state and federal grant opportunities, training, webinars, and options for advocacy from Berkshire Funding Focus! 

In 2023, non-profits are newly eligible to apply for the National Park Service's Underrepresented Community Grants. Projects can include surveys and inventories of historic properties associated with communities underrepresented in the National Register, as well as developing nominations to the National Register for specific sites and districts. Proposals for between $15,000 and $75,000 are due by July 18, 2023.

The Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs seeks proposals from municipalities and Regional Planning Agencies to plan, regulate (zone), and act to conserve and develop land consistent with the Massachusetts Sustainable Development Principles. Proposals for FY24 Planning Assistance Grants are due by May 26, 2023.

Fundraising Friday: Full Cost Budgeting and How it Advances Equity

Friday, May 5th from 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. via Zoom.

Register Here by 2:00 p.m. on the day before the session.

Full cost refers to the true cost of doing business for nonprofits, including total expenses, working capital, and reserves. In this interactive session, Philanthropy Massachusetts' guests from the Nonprofit Finance Fund®️ will walk through the full cost framework and offer ideas for communicating those needs to funders.

Community One Stop for Growth

Friday, April 21st from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. via Zoom.

Register Here.

Officials from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Economic Development, Department of Housing and Community Development, and Mass Development will share details about the Community One Stop for Growth programs (applications due on June 2, 2023). First in a series of workshops for municipalities co-organized by the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Franklin Regional Council of Governments, Pioneer Valley Planning Commission, and Congressman Jim McGovern, and co-sponsored by members of the western Massachusetts state legislative delegation. 

As part of its implementation of 60505, Environmental Review Implementation Funds, of the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act, the U.S. Federal Highway Administration (FWHA) is seeking detailed information on ways in which FHWA can make resources available to the eligible entities described in 23 U.S.C. 178(c)(2), including local governments, while promoting equity and maximizing the opportunity to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of the environmental review process. Comments must be received by June 1, 2023 - see Docket Number FHWA-2023-0004 for a copy of the full notice and how to comment.

Berkshire Funding Focus (BFF), a regional initiative housed at BRPC, supports Berkshire County towns, businesses, nonprofits, and schools seeking state and federal funds to aid with recovery and rebuilding efforts. Learn more here: www.berkshirefundingfocus.org.

Have questions? Contact Recovery Grant Specialist Karen Pelto. We look forward to helping you find opportunities and resources that are right for your municipality or school.

Berkshire Funding Focus

www.berkshirefundingfocus.org