Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

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

Grant Guidelines: Anne Sanford Legacy Fund

Anne Sanford loved life. She loved her family, her friends and her community; she loved business and politics. She was an inspiring friend and a generous mentor.

A native New Yorker who later retired to Amenia, New York, Anne was also a pioneer. She achieved remarkable professional success during her 30-year corporate career—at a time when there was little support for women in business. In her later years, motivated by a deep commitment to civic engagement, Anne gave many years of service to her town and her larger community. She also provided support and guidance to many small businesses. She was deeply committed to helping others along the way, empowering them and celebrating their accomplishments.

To honor her spirit and to continue that work, The Women’s Times has created a scholarship fund in her memory under the auspices of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation.

Eligibility

The Anne Sanford Legacy Fund will provide scholarships to enable women to attend political or professional leadership training.

Examples of training programs are those run by the following organizations:

The Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership
The White House Project
Women’s Campaign School at Yale

Applicants must be:

  • women of 18 years or older;
  • currently living or working in the Berkshire Taconic region (Berkshire County, MA, Northwest Litchfield County*, CT, Columbia and Northeast Dutchess Counties**, NY) or the Pioneer Valley, Massachusetts.
  • Women of color and those from underrepresented or disadvantaged groups are encouraged to apply.

    • * Northwest Litchfield County: refers to Bantam, Canaan, Cornwall, Cornwall Bridge, Falls Village, Kent, Lakeville, Lime Rock, Norfolk, Salisbury, Sharon, Taconic and West Cornwall, CT.

    ** Northeast Dutchess County: refers to Amenia, Clinton Corners, Dover Plains, Millbrook, Millerton, North East, Pine Plains, Stanford, Washington, Wassaic and Wingdale, NY.

    Berkshire Taconic does not support organizations that, 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.

    Awards

    Awards will generally range between $100 and $1,500.

    Review Criteria

    The committee will select the candidates that best meet the vision of the fund and will use the following criteria in their review:

  • Quality of the training program
  • Potential impact of the program on the applicant’s life and studies/work
  • Evidence of the applicant’s ambition to apply this training

    • The Anne Sanford Legacy Fund selection committee will review all applications. The committee comprises area residents with demonstrated expertise in the field of education and leadership development. Their recommendations will be sent to the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors for approval.

    In its discretion, the selection committee may request further information, including interviews of candidates and writers of reference letters.

    If you have any questions about the fund, email us at grants@berkshiretaconic.org.