The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $17.5 million (2023)
• Total Assets: Over $200 million
• Decision Time: 6-8 weeks
• Grant Range: $5,000 - $10,000+ (varies by program)
• Geographic Focus: Tri-state region (Berkshire County MA, Columbia & NE Dutchess Counties NY, NW Litchfield County CT)
• Number of Funds: 550+ funds, approximately 95 making competitive grants

Contact Details

Address: 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257
Mailing Address: PO Box 400, Sheffield, MA 01257
Phone: 413-229-0370
Email: [email protected]
Website: https://berkshiretaconic.org
Grants Portal: https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=berkshire

Program-Specific Contacts:

• Equity Fund: Alÿcia Bacon, Community Engagement Officer ([email protected], 413-429-8414)
• General Grant Inquiries: [email protected]

Overview

Founded in 1987 in Salisbury, Connecticut with an anonymous $100,000 donation, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation became an independent public charity in 1990. Today, BTCF manages over $200 million in charitable assets across 550+ funds, distributing approximately $17.5 million annually in grants and scholarships. The foundation serves a unique tri-state region of 2,200 square miles encompassing Berkshire County, Massachusetts; Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties, New York; and northwest Litchfield County, Connecticut—home to nearly 230,000 people across 70 towns and three cities. In 2022, BTCF celebrated its 35th anniversary by delivering an unprecedented $20 million in grants, a 74% increase from 2021. Under President Kara Mikulich's leadership (appointed July 2025), the foundation emphasizes place-based philanthropy, equity, and opportunity, with recent strategic focus on BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations. In 2023, BTCF awarded over $850,000 in scholarships to 250+ students through 80+ scholarship funds.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Equity Fund

• Amount: Average $10,000; grants over $10,000 considered
• Focus: BIPOC-owned, BIPOC-centering, or BIPOC-led organizations
• Priority Areas: Racial and social justice, economic empowerment, educational equity, health equity, leadership development
• Deadline: June 15 annually
• Application: Online portal, includes community conversation component

Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program

• Amount: Up to $5,000 (general); up to $10,000 (Berkshire County arts/culture organizations)
• Focus: Organizational capacity building including strategic planning, board development, organizational assessments, technology enhancements, fundraising strategies
• Eligibility: Preference for organizations with budgets under $1 million and first-time applicants
• Deadline: February 15 annually
• Geographic Area: Berkshire County and northwest Litchfield County

Arts Build Community: Incubation Grants

• Amount: Up to $7,500 per project; $65,000 total available
• Focus: Testing new ideas to increase community engagement through arts and creative process, especially among communities of color, youth, immigrants
• Application: Online portal

Resident Leadership Engagement Grants

• Amount: Up to $15,000 per project
• Deadline: March 15
• Application: By invitation only

Fund for Columbia County: Grants for Community Impact

• Focus: Youth development, education, services for the elderly, health and social services, arts/culture/civic engagement programming
• Priority: Low-income and/or underserved adults and children in Columbia County

Artist's Resource Trust (A.R.T.) Fund

• Focus: Mid-career artists residing in New England
• Deadline: October 15 (applications open September 1)

Additional Area Funds: Approximately 95 competitive grant funds, each with own guidelines and deadlines

Priority Areas

• Education
• Arts and culture
• Health and social services
• Environment
• Youth development
• Services for the elderly
• Economic empowerment
• Racial and social justice
• Leadership development
• Organizational capacity building

What They Don't Fund

• Organizations that discriminate based on age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation, or religious belief (in constitution, by-laws, or practice)
• Fundraising efforts (under Planning and Technical Assistance program)
• Retroactive funding (under Planning and Technical Assistance program)

Governance and Leadership

Key Leadership

President: Kara Mikulich (appointed July 2025)
Kara Mikulich became the fifth president of BTCF after serving as interim president since September 2024. As former Chief Philanthropy Officer, she led a six-person team that raised $95 million over five years, doubled the number of new funds, and increased annual giving by 80%.

Key Quotes from Leadership:

Kara Mikulich on her approach: "I've spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector—working in, advocating for, and raising support for organizations that community foundations like BTCF exist to uplift. That grounding shapes how I approach philanthropy."

On the foundation's mission: "This foundation is grounded in the values of place-based philanthropy, equity, and opportunity. I look forward to building on that legacy by working closely with donors, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to strengthen our collective impact."

On equity work: "It is our call to center the work of BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations in our region who, too often, have been outside the sphere of our giving."

Board of Directors

The volunteer board consists of 20 members from across the region who set strategic direction and ensure sustainability. Recent additions include Karen Byers (former Managing Director and CFO of The John & Mary R. Markle Foundation), Carol Flaton (banking and finance professional), Matthew King (Senior Counsel for Google), and Michael Obasohan (Chief Diversity Officer for the City of Pittsfield).

Senior Staff

• Kara Mikulich - President
• Joseph R. Baker - Vice President, Finance & Administration
• Kelly Sweet - Director of Philanthropic Services
• Maeve O'Dea - Program Director
• Jenn Frederick - Director of Communications & Marketing
• Emily Bronson - Senior Community Engagement Officer for Initiatives & Special Projects
• Caitlin Healy - Grants and Scholarships Operations Manager
• Alÿcia Bacon - Community Engagement Officer, Equity & Inclusion
• Leila Kaplan - Community Engagement Officer, Columbia & Berkshire Counties
• Aileen Meehan - Community Engagement Officer for Northeast Dutchess County and Northwest Litchfield County
• Eric Jette - Community Engagement Officer for Education and Scholarships

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

BTCF uses a three-step online application process:

1. Review Eligibility: Check individual fund guidelines at https://berkshiretaconic.org/grants-scholarships/search-grants. Each of the approximately 95 competitive grant funds has specific eligibility criteria and deadlines.

2. Create/Log into Account: Visit the online grants portal at https://www.grantinterface.com/Home/Logon?urlkey=berkshire. First-time users create an account with email (all application communications sent to this address).

3. Complete Online Application: Click "Apply" link in portal. Most applications open 6 weeks before deadline. Submit by 11:59 PM Eastern on deadline date.

Application Tips from BTCF:

• Applicants can apply for multiple grants simultaneously
• Save drafts during the application process
• Preferred file formats: PDF, Word, Excel
• Name attachments clearly (e.g., "OrgName-budget FY2024")
• Recommended: Have someone review your application before submission to ensure clarity
• Most funds accept applications at specific times of year; a few have rolling deadlines

Decision Timeline

• Applications reviewed by fund advisory committees
• Board of directors reviews recommendations
• Typical decision timeframe: 6-8 weeks from submission to decision
• Notification sent via email
• Scholarships: Decisions generally made within 8-12 weeks of application deadline

Success Rates

BTCF does not publicly disclose specific success rates or application statistics. However, the foundation awards hundreds of competitive grants annually. In 2022, BTCF granted $20 million to area nonprofits; in 2023, $17.5 million was distributed. Each fund's competitiveness varies based on its specific focus and available resources.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed and likely vary by individual fund. Applicants are encouraged to contact grants@berkshiretaconic.org or the relevant Community Engagement Officer for guidance on reapplication after an unsuccessful submission.

Application Success Factors

Based on BTCF's publicly available guidance and program priorities, successful applications demonstrate:

For the Equity Fund

• Community-centered approach: The fund operates on the principle that "Those closest to the issues are also closest to the solutions"
• BIPOC leadership at the organizational level
• Clear alignment with one or more priority areas (racial/social justice, economic empowerment, educational equity, health equity, leadership development)
• Participation in community conversations (part of application process)

For Planning and Technical Assistance Grants

Applications are evaluated on:

• Potential to strengthen organizational governance
• Potential to enhance organizational diversity
• Impact on regional residents
• Long-term organizational effectiveness
• Organizational readiness to implement the proposed project
• Preference given to organizations with budgets under $1 million and first-time applicants

General Success Factors Across Programs

• Geographic alignment: Clear demonstration that the organization serves the Berkshire Taconic region (specific towns and counties matter)
• Mission alignment: Strong connection to BTCF's priority areas and the specific fund's focus
• Clarity: BTCF recommends having someone review applications before submission to ensure clarity
• Community impact: Emphasis on deep, lasting, positive impact on residents, particularly low-income and/or underserved populations
• Non-discrimination: Organizations must not discriminate based on protected characteristics

Recent Funded Projects (Examples of Successful Applications)

• Stanton Home: Kitchen equipment upgrades (food security program)
• Elder Services of Berkshire County: Nearly $120,000 for kitchen equipment replacement to serve 225,000+ meals annually
• Hudson Area Library, Columbia Greene Community College, Questar III, Hudson City School District: $20,000 in follow-up grants for workforce development
• Berkshires' Academy for Advanced Musical Studies (BAAMS): Multi-fund support from Barrett Fund, Gateway Fund, and Pauline Young Music Fund

Capital Project Requirements

For capital projects, BTCF requires a one-to-one match either in cash or in-kind services/donations.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Know your fund: With approximately 95 competitive grant funds, each with unique guidelines and deadlines, research the specific fund that best matches your organization's mission and geographic focus before applying
• Geographic specificity matters: Clearly demonstrate how your organization serves the specific towns/counties within BTCF's tri-state region (Berkshire County MA, Columbia & NE Dutchess Counties NY, NW Litchfield County CT)
• Equity is central: Under President Kara Mikulich's leadership, BTCF has emphasized centering BIPOC-led and BIPOC-serving organizations; consider the Equity Fund if your organization fits this profile
• Capacity building is valued: First-time applicants to the Planning and Technical Assistance program receive preference; don't hesitate to apply for organizational strengthening support
• Timeline planning: Most funds have specific annual deadlines (not rolling); plan 6-8 weeks for decision timeframe
• Relationship building: With multiple Community Engagement Officers serving different geographic areas and program focuses, connect with the appropriate officer for your region or program area
• Community impact focus: Emphasize deep, lasting impact on residents, particularly underserved populations, rather than broad or surface-level outcomes

References

1. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Official Website - Homepage. https://berkshiretaconic.org/ (Accessed January 2026)
2. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - About Page. https://berkshiretaconic.org/about (Accessed January 2026)
3. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Grants & Scholarships. https://berkshiretaconic.org/grants-scholarships (Accessed January 2026)
4. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - How to Apply for Grants. https://berkshiretaconic.org/grants-scholarships/grants-how-to-apply-and-faq (Accessed January 2026)
5. ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer - The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation Inc. https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/61254469 (Accessed January 2026)
6. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Equity Fund. https://berkshiretaconic.org/grants/equity-fund (Accessed January 2026)
7. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program. https://berkshiretaconic.org/grants/planning-and-technical-assistance-grant-program (Accessed January 2026)
8. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Our Staff. https://berkshiretaconic.org/about/our-staff (Accessed January 2026)
9. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Kara Mikulich Named President. https://berkshiretaconic.org/news/kara-mikulich-named-president-of-berkshire-taconic-community-foundation (Accessed January 2026)
10. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Year in Review: 2022. https://berkshiretaconic.org/news/year-in-review-2022 (Accessed January 2026)
11. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Contact Us. https://berkshiretaconic.org/about/contact-us (Accessed January 2026)
12. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - Our Region: A Closer Look. https://berkshiretaconic.org/initiatives-impact/strategic-plan/our-region-a-closer-look (Accessed January 2026)