Make an Impact
Every year, we work with hundreds of donors to reach their philanthropic goals, make thousands of grants to nonprofits to help them achieve their missions and support students in every school district to pursue their dreams.
Our staff are charitable giving experts and grantmaking professionals with deep knowledge of the region and the nonprofit sector. We are here to help make your giving experience fulfilling, whether you want to simplify your giving, focus on specific causes, establish a new scholarship to honor a loved one or plan your legacy. We can tailor a giving plan just for you.
We invite you to join our family of 550 charitable funds created to strengthen our communities now and long into the future. Each has a unique purpose reflecting the wishes of the donor. Establishing a new fund is an easy and effective way to make an impact in your community.
Whatever your passions, we have giving options for you.
Six Types of Charitable Funds
We offer a range of charitable funds to make your giving easier. Our staff is available to discuss options with you and to help select one that best meets your philanthropic and financial goals.
Simplify your giving and choose what to support, and when
Donor advised funds allow individuals, families or businesses to make grants to their favorite nonprofit organizations at your own pace. You can easily manage your fund from anywhere with online access to your balance and grant history. If you want ideas or recommendations, BTCF can provide them.
Minimum to open a donor advised fund: $10,000 non-endowed, $25,000 endowed
Give through your estate plan and make life even better for generations to come
We welcome the opportunity to talk with donors who wish to make gifts to the foundation in their estate plan or will. We can help you establish a charitable remainder trust, arrange a gift of real estate or discuss other estate planning vehicles. Our Legacy Circle honors individuals who have named Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation in their will or estate plan.
Build your nonprofit’s endowment or reserve to provide lasting support for your mission
Many local nonprofit organizations choose to invest their endowments or reserve funds through Berkshire Taconic. This means gaining access to our investment services and expertise handling gifts of all kinds. Our three decades of experience growing endowments and unique focus on philanthropy can boost donor confidence in your sustainability.
Minimum to open a nonprofit agency fund: $25,000
Change a student's life by helping pay for college or vocational school
Scholarship funds open doors to new opportunities. We invest, grow and administer dozens of scholarships for aspiring artists, engineers, teachers, nurses and more. Funds can honor a family member or loved one, and our team can help you determine criteria that meet your goals. Browse our scholarships.
Minimum to open a scholarship fund: $25,000
Support a personal passion or community need
Donors can focus their philanthropy on a specific cause or community through a field of interest fund. We can work with you to establish criteria and a process for competitive grantmaking as you support emerging needs and nonprofits focused on your passion – now and for years to come.
Minimum to open an endowed field of interest fund: $25,000
Provide permanent support to your charity of choice
Donors with strong ties to a particular organization often establish a designated fund for its long-term benefit. Your gift becomes an endowed BTCF fund, which will support the charity as long as it exists. Designated funds can provide reliable income to schools, historic sites, arts groups and many other organizations and causes, without encumbering them with the management of an endowment.
Minimum to open an endowed designated fund: $25,000
Gift Options
Gifts to Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation come in all forms. You can use any of the following assets to establish a charitable fund or give to an existing fund at Berkshire Taconic.
Cash
A cash gift is the most popular type of charitable gift because of its simplicity. A gift of $25,000 or more establishes an endowed fund of your choice that begins generating income for grants or scholarships and continues in perpetuity. A gift of $10,000 establishes a donor advised fund.
Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds
Long-term appreciated holdings, such as stocks, bonds or mutual funds, may provide greater tax benefits than a cash gift of equivalent value, especially if they have a low cost basis. You receive a charitable deduction for the full market value of your holdings – even if you bought it for far less. You also avoid capital gains tax – money you’d pay if you liquidated the holding. A gift of closely held stock is also a giving option.
Planned Gifts
Private Foundation Conversion
A number of private foundations have chosen to convert to a fund at Berkshire Taconic to reduce administrative burdens and expenses. The private foundation may retain its name and charitable goals with no tax or penalty on the transfer, and advisors can focus solely on the work they love – grantmaking.
Real Estate & Personal Property
Real estate assets can become powerful charitable gifts and Berkshire Taconic can help ensure your generosity does the most good. We accept the gift outright or show you how a charitable trust can be used to convert your asset into a gift that also produces income. Because such gifts are inherently more complex than gifts of other assets, they are governed by more detailed policies and procedures and are subject to BTCF approval. You can also give tangible personal property (e.g., art, antiques, jewelry, etc.).
“Berkshire Taconic makes it easy to give, and it matches organizations with our interests.”
- Michael Riordan, donor advised fund holder
