Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation

March 1 Application Deadline for James and Robert Hardman Fund

January 18, 2012

SHEFFIELD, MA—Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation announced today that March 1 is the application deadline for the James and Robert Hardman Fund for North Adams. The Fund supports nonprofit groups, community organizations and public agencies that enrich the lives of residents of North Adams and the neighboring communities of Florida and Clarksburg, MA, and Stamford, VT. Last year the fund distributed $45,434 to 19 organizations.

The James and Robert Hardman Fund for North Adams was established at Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in 2000 in honor of James A. Hardman, Jr. (1909-1990) and Robert Hardman (1911-1978) by members of the Hardman family. Applicants may request grants for projects and programs relating to the arts, culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education and the environment.

Grants will be awarded to organizations that demonstrate the potential to expand or deepen their impact or to those that are already achieving a significant impact. This includes efforts that involve flexible partnerships among non-profit, public and private sectors. The Fund is particularly interested in initiatives that take a long term view of what is required to support people in difficult economic circumstances and to assist them in moving out of poverty and those that enrich the cultural and natural environment of the Fund area.

Applications will be reviewed by a committee of community residents using the combined criteria of: excellence of the project or service, impact on the organization or community and ability of the organization to carry out the project.

Applications are available online or if an applicant does not have access to a computer, please contact the North Adams Public Library at 413.662.3133 for assistance.

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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