WHO CAN APPLY

Nonprofit organizations serving North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida or Stamford.

GRANT INFORMATION

The Hardman Fund was established by the families of James A. Hardman, Jr. (1909-1990) and Robert Hardman (1911-1978) to honor their memories and enrich the lives primarily of the residents of North Adams, but also of the neighboring communities of Florida and Clarksburg, MA, and Stamford, VT.

The fund supports projects that cover all aspects of these communities, including the arts, culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education and the environment. 

ELIGIBILITY

Grants will be awarded to nonprofit organizations serving North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, MA or Stamford, VT that demonstrate the potential to expand or deepen their impact, or to those that are already achieving a significant impact. 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.

While the Hardman Fund typically supports a wide range of projects, the fund’s grantmaking committee has prioritized projects that meet basic or emergency needs—including food pantry, health insurance counseling and victim assistance services—and organizations that are the sole providers of vital services for vulnerable populations in the region. Preference is given to collaboration between organizations, particularly those providing food to people in need.

Neither the Hardman 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, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively by the Hardman Fund advisory committee. This committee is comprised of residents of North Adams, MA and Stamford, VT who are active in community affairs. Decisions will be made based on where grants can have the largest impact and leverage. 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? 

AWARDS

The number and size of grants awarded will depend on the amount of funding available from the Hardman Fund, as well as the number and quality of applications received. The Hardman Fund Committee will consider large grants if a project is deemed to be of seminal importance to the North Adams, Clarksburg, Florida, MA and Stamford, VT community.

NOTIFICATION

Applicants will be notified of the Foundation’s decision within two months of the deadline date.

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 Hardman Fund for funding. Interim reports may be required for multi-year grants. The Hardman 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