GRANT GUIDELINES

WHO CAN APPLY

Nonprofit organizations, public agencies or community organizations that provide services to the residents of the communities of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor.

GRANT INFORMATION

A Dalton native created the Central Berkshire Fund in 2001 to support nonprofit activities that improve the quality of life for all residents of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington and Windsor.

The endowed fund serves as an ongoing resource that works across town borders to support innovative projects and services for maximum benefit for the residents of these towns, with particular emphasis on low income and/or underserved adults and children. 

The fund invites applications for new or existing projects, programs or services that benefit the community in the following areas: arts and culture, education, the environment, and health and social services.

ELIGIBILITY

Nonprofit organizations, public agencies or community organizations that provide services to the residents of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington or Windsor are eligible to apply for grants.

Requests will be considered for projects, programs, capital improvements and general operating support. Projects that have received prior support from the Central Berkshire Fund may reapply.

Nonprofits, teachers, students or parents may apply for projects that enhance the educational experience for the children of the hilltowns and that are not eligible for funding from the Seven Towns' Education Partnership (STEP) Fund. Requests must be accompanied by a letter of support from the school principal or superintendent.

Public agencies may apply for projects that enrich the experience of their communities or offer additional opportunities for public improvements. Please note that grants are not intended to replace tax dollars.

We believe in projects that develop and maintain community connections and look for organizations that incorporate diverse cultures, philosophies and experiences across their programming.

Neither the Central Berkshire Fund nor Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation supports organizations which in their constitution, by-laws or practice, discriminate against a person or group on the basis of age, race, national origin, ethnicity, gender/gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief. 

AWARDS

Grants usually range between $2,000 and $5,000, although larger amounts may be considered. All grants will require a one-to-one match either in cash, services or in-kind donations. Berkshire Taconic reserves the right to modify this policy on a case-by-case basis.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively by the Central Berkshire Fund Committee. Members of this committee are primarily residents of the Central Berkshire towns who are active in community affairs. The selected recommendations will be reviewed by Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors.

Selections are based on the review criteria stated below:

• Impact: What needs are being addressed? What is the potential impact of the project or service? Is it well conceived? Is it innovative?
• Equity: We believe in projects that foster trust and community engagement and look for organizations that incorporate a diversity of culture, philosophy and experience in their work. Priority will be given to projects and organizations serving underserved and marginalized communities, including populations that are BIPOC, low-income, geographically isolated, LGBTQIA+, living with disabilities, refugees, or immigrants.
• Feasibility: Does the applicant demonstrate the capacity to successfully execute the project? Does it involve leaders or organizations with relevant experience? Will there be appropriate staff or volunteers involved? Is it cost effective?

REPORTING

• An assessment of the project’s outcomes will be required once the program or service funded is complete, and before any future applications are submitted to the Central Berkshire Fund for funding. Interim reports may be required for multi-year grants. The Central Berkshire Fund strives to ensure the most effective programs and services for the grants awarded.
  
  SAMPLE APPLICATION
• The application opens in early September. If you would like a general sense of the types of questions to expect on this application, please see below.

• Please note: The questions can change from year to year, so the actual application may differ somewhat from this example. 

  
  Sample Area Fund Grant Application