Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

New Tupelo Award Fund Established at Berkshire Taconic: October 15 Deadline

September 14, 2011

SHEFFIELD, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation today announced the establishment of The Tupelo Award for residents of the Berkshire Taconic region. The Tupelo Award offers individuals an opportunity to deepen and enrich an abiding passion or serious interest through study and research of a specific topic and/or development of a project. The opportunity must be one that will broaden the applicant’s view of the world and expand their horizons. These grants are intended to make it possible for individuals to participate in an experience that will have significant potential to enrich the applicant’s lives through travel, study or research. The fund will award up to $1,500 this year.

“The Tupelo award is an opportunity for a special person to make a step toward fulfillment of his/her aspirations and dreams. I have been blessed in the past with people who have believed in me and have supported me through many endeavors. The Tupelo award is a manifestation of my wish to share such opportunities with others,” said the anonymous donor who established the fund.

The deadline for applications is October 15, 2011. Individuals between the ages of 16 and 36 who demonstrate financial need and other sources of support for their chosen project are eligible. Applications are available online and will be reviewed by Berkshire Taconic staff to ensure that eligibility requirements are met. A selection committee will then review them and make its determination based on established criteria.

“The establishment of this award is a wonderful example of how Berkshire Taconic can work with a donor to turn their passion into a reality” stated Maeve O’Dea, program director at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. “We welcome this addition to our family of funds and look forward to watching the creative work the recipients infuse into our communities over time.”

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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