Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation - [image of young people in drum circle]
Grant Seekers

Grant Guidelines: Central Berkshire Fund

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.

Eligibility

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, the environment, and health and social services. Requests will be considered for projects, programs, capital improvements and general operating support. Grants from the fund are not to be construed as an ongoing method for funding programs.

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.

2012 Grantmaking

In 2012, a major priority will be on programs or projects that enhance early childhood development for children between the ages of 0-6 years. 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.

Eligible programs might promote:

  • pre-reading skills or pre-literacy skills
  • cognitive skills including problem solving, math and science
  • positive parent-child interactions
  • mental health of children
  • parent involvement activities at a center or family child-care home
  • better nutrition and activities that reduce obesity in young children

    • Eligible activities may include (but are not limited to):

  • Book sharing for parents to read to their children
  • Staff training or intervention to reduce aggressive behavior of children
  • Parent education
  • Dental clinics
  • Staff training in child care settings
  • Enrichment activities or field trips that are not purely recreational
  • Screenings/assessment and referrals services for children with identified needs>
  • Improved newsletters (or social media) for parents with education tips
  • Improved curriculum in child care settings
  • Home visiting programs
  • Case management services to connect betters to community resources
  • Gardening activities at child care settings with accompanying curriculum

    • Awards

    Grants usually range between $1,000 and $3,000 although larger amounts may be considered. All grants will require a one-to-one match either in cash, services or in-kind donations. Berkshire Taconic reserves the right to modify this policy on a case-by-case basis. Each successfully funded program must be able to quantify and document both activities and their outcomes.

    Notification

    Applicants will be notified of funding decision in late December.

    Review Criteria

    Applications will be reviewed by the Central Berkshire Fund Committee. Members of this committee are primarily of 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?

    • If you have any questions about the fund, or need assistance with the online application, email us at grants@berkshiretaconic.org or call 413.229.0370.