Deadline: 10-Oct-20
The Central Berkshire Fund committee acknowledges that nonprofits are facing unique challenges due to the implications of COVID-19 and will consider applications for critical needs of nonprofits in this grant cycle.
A Dalton native created the Central Berkshire Fund in 2001 to support nonprofit activities that improve the quality of life for all residents of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor.
The endowed fund serves as an ongoing resource that can look across town borders and combine resources to achieve maximum benefit for the residents of these towns. Under the guidance of a group of community advisors, it will review grant applications and award grants, provide support to nonprofit organizations and initiate projects to provide services that do not exist.
Funding Information
- Grants usually range between $2,000 and $5,000.
Who can apply?
Nonprofit organizations, public agencies or community organizations that provide services to the residents of the communities of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor.
Eligibility Criteria
- Nonprofit organizations, public agencies or community organizations that provide services to the residents of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington or Windsor are eligible to apply for grants.
- Projects that benefit the community in any of the following areas will be considered:
- arts and culture
- education
- environment
- health and
- social services.
- Requests will be considered for projects, programs, capital improvements and general operating support.
- Education: one current area of focus for the fund is early childhood development. The Central Berkshire Fund’s intentions are to promote the well-being and overall development of young children in all areas, including cognitive, language, pre-literacy, social-emotional and physical, so that children are ready to learn when they enter kindergarten.
- Public agencies may apply for projects that enrich the experience of their residents. Grants are not intended to replace tax dollars but rather to offer additional opportunities for public improvements.
- Neither the Central Berkshire Fund nor Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation supports organizations which in their constitution, by-laws or practice discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.
Review Criteria
Applications will be reviewed by the Central Berkshire Fund Committee. Members of this committee are primarily residents of the Central Berkshire towns who are active in community affairs. Recommendations will be reviewed by Berkshire Taconic’s Board of Directors.
- Excellence: How worthy is the project or service? Is it the right time for the project? Does it involve qualified individuals and organizations?
- Impact: What is the potential impact of the project or service on the community covered by the proposal?
- Ability: Can the applicant complete the project? Is the applicant capable of meeting the matching requirement? Does the organization exhibit a demonstrated capacity to initiate and successfully execute this project? Are the appropriate staff members or volunteers involved?
For more information, visit https://www.berkshiretaconic.org/bReceivebNonprofitsIndividuals/SearchApplyforGrants/CentralBerkshireFund.aspx