Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

SEED Planted in Pine Plains

November 30, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation today announced the launch of the Sustaining Education Enrichment and Development Fund (SEED), to support projects that will inspire students and teachers in the Pine Plains Central School District. Local donors Arnold and Audrey Fisher donated $50,000 to inaugurate the fund.

“I don’t want the students of our school district to miss out on important opportunities due to the financial challenges of our times. Audrey and I are happy to support the community where we live,” said Mr. Fisher who took the leadership step to launch the program.

SEED will provide grants for exciting and challenging programs for students in elementary, middle and high school levels. These programs will be above and beyond those normally funded by local, state and federal funding. SEED will supplement, rather than supplant the standard curriculum. A good education requires a broad mix of programs that emphasize excellence, innovation and creativity. The enrichment activities will be designed to enhance students’ capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community. SEED will support students in achieving their highest goals through a myriad of formal and informal programs that will be focused on various academic fields, athletics, cultural programs and community services. Eligible projects may include field trips, artists in residence, projects involving athletics, agricultural or environmental work. SEED envisions building an endowment of $250,000 to be invested by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in perpetuity for the benefit of Pine Plains’ students. SEED will award its first grants in 2012.

Karen Pogoda, Chair of SEED said, “We have been fortunate to be the recipients of the Fisher’s generosity, supporting many of our school sponsored programs for years. We continue to be grateful knowing that their new gift will pave the way for establishing a permanent community fund for Pine Plains’ students.”

The Fisher’s challenge to the community has already been met enthusiastically by a $5,000 anonymous gift to help build the endowment for SEED. It is their hope that their gift will continue to inspire others to contribute.

“We look forward to the exciting developments that we anticipate will come from this fund,” stated Linda Kaumeyer, Superintendent of the Pine Plains School District. “Our students deserve the best and we’re thrilled that SEED is here to help.”

If you are interested in improving the educational experience for students in the Pine Plains Central School District, please send contributions to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (PO Box 400 Sheffield MA 01257-0400) earmarked for the SEED Fund, or go online. Questions may be directed to info@berkshiretaconic.org.

SEED has been launched by a group of community members who are committed to providing enriching opportunities for the students: Don Bartles, Scott Dell’Amore, Jeffrey Levitsky, Victoria LoBrutto, Richard Osofsky, Karen Pogoda (Chair), Patricia Prunty, John Reilly, and David Theringer. SEED is one of 27education enrichment funds throughout the region administered by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. “We’re very pleased to serve as steward for this important new fund,” said Jennifer Dowley, president of Berkshire Taconic. “Investing in the vitality of our young people’s education has been a major initiative of the Foundation for the past 10 years. Our young people need all the opportunities our communities can offer to help them participate successfully in the complexities of the 21st century. SEED is an important next step in this initiative.”

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation builds stronger communities and improves the quality of life for all residents of northwest Litchfield County, CT; Berkshire County, MA; and Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, acting as an agent for positive change in the region. Since 1987, Berkshire Taconic has managed a growing collection of charitable funds created by individuals, families and businesses. Each year, the foundation distributes over $7 million through grants and scholarships for programs in the arts and education, health and human services and environmental protection, helping thousands of donors achieve their philanthropic goals and hundreds of nonprofits carry on their good work. Berkshire Taconic is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit public charity.

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