Quick Stats
- Annual Giving: $2,900,000 (tax year ending December 2023)
- Grant Range: $50–$100,000 (most grants fall between $100–$10,000)
- Geographic Focus: Berkshire County, Pioneer Valley, Central and Eastern Massachusetts, Connecticut, New York's Capital District and Central New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont
- Application Method: Rolling
- Number of Grants: 615 grants (tax year 2023)
- Median Grant: $3,000 (tax year 2023)
Contact Details
- Website: https://www.berkshirebank.com/about-us/our-impact/community-support/berkshire-bank-foundation
- Email: foundation@berkshirebank.com
- Phone: 413-236-3733
Funding Priorities
- Small Business: Supporting small business growth and entrepreneurship through access to capital, education, and technical assistance
- Financial Inclusion: Investing in programmes that foster upward economic mobility and overall well-being, with a focus on supporting the underbanked and unbanked
- Housing: Providing access to quality affordable housing to help individuals and families gain financial stability and achieve long-term wealth, including pathways to first-time homeownership
- Priority given to programmes whose beneficiaries include more than 51% low- and moderate-income individuals
- Special emphasis areas: Food access, feeding programmes, temporary shelter, transitional housing, quality healthcare, and addiction treatment
What They Don't Fund
- Fraternal, labour, and political organisations (including fraternal orders of police and firefighters)
- Lobbying groups
- Athletic teams or social groups
- Private foundations
- Intermediary organisations that raise and distribute funds in their own name
- Annual memberships and annual appeals
- Underwriting support for conferences or seminars
- Scholarship programmes/funds
- General operating support
- Individuals
- Capital campaigns
- Organisations that have already received a grant or bank sponsorship within the current calendar year
Application Process & Timeline
Organisations apply through an online portal (Blackbaud GrantsConnect/YourCause). The foundation reviews applications on a rolling basis, with decisions generally communicated within two months. Applicants must be IRS-recognised 501(c)(3) non-profit organisations located in or primarily providing service in Berkshire Bank's service areas.
References
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