Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

April 9 Deadline for Fund for Williamstown

March 3, 2010

WILIAMSTOWN, MA—The Fund for Williamstown announced today that April 9 is the deadline for 2010 applications. The fund invites applications for projects and services that benefit residents of Williamstown and help create a vibrant community responsive to diverse needs and voices.

In recognition of a changed economic landscape, the fund encourages applications that not only offer an enhanced Williamstown, but also are critical to sustaining the community in difficult times. “We are expanding our mission beyond improving the quality of life in Williamstown to include programs and initiatives that will relieve the hardship on those of our neighbors who are suffering,” notes Fund chair, Liz Costley. “We know it is ambitious to try to do both, but we truly believe that this two-pronged approach will create the best outcome for our community.”

Past grants have included equipment for the Williamstown Youth Center, seed money for the preliminary work on affordable housing at St. Raphael’s Church, programming funds for the Milne Public Library, improvement of the Broad Brook softball field and the creation of the Neighbor-to-Neighbor program that provides emergency funding for Williamstown residents in need.

Individuals, nonprofit organizations, community organizations and public agencies may submit applications. Applications and guidelines are available at Williamstown Town Hall, at the Milne Public Library and online. For more information contact Berkshire Taconic at 413.528.8039 or Liz Costley at 413.458.5894.

The Fund for Williamstown, an endowment of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, was created in 2006 and began grant making in 2007. The Fund has approximately $25,000 available for grants this year.

A nine-member advisory committee of local residents will review applications and award grants based on the merit of the proposed project or service, its impact on the organization or community, and the ability of the applicant to carry out the project.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of Berkshire County, MA; Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY; and northwest Litchfield County, CT. Thanks to its generous donors, in 2009 Berkshire Taconic distributed nearly $7 million in scholarships and grants for programs in the arts and education, health and human services, and environmental protection. Berkshire Taconic is a 501 (c)(3) charitable organization.

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