Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation accepts Planning and Technical Assistance (PTA) applications for organizations in all four counties- Columbia County and northeast Dutchess County, NY, northwest Litchfield County, CT, and Berkshire County, MA.

GRANT INFORMATION

Project proposals are expected to demonstrate how grant support will strengthen the organization’s effectiveness, resilience, and sustainability. Proposals should also explain how these improvements will enhance the organization’s ability to advance its mission. For more details, please see Review Criteria below.

ELIGIBILITY

Applicant requirements:

• Be incorporated as a 501(c)(3) organization or operate under fiscal sponsorship of a 501(c)(3) organization.
• Be based in and serve residents of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation region. Fiscal sponsors may be located outside of the region.
• Preference will be given to organizations that have not received Planning and Technical Assistance grant funding in the last year. 
• Grant funding may not be used retroactively. The funding may not be applied to projects already executed.
• Grant funding cannot be used for fundraising, e.g., a gift to a fundraising campaign. However, the grant proposal may request a consultant to work on a Development Plan.
• Support BTCF’s non-discrimination policy, see below. 

NON-DISCRIMINATION POLICY

Neither the Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program nor Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation support 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, gender identity, gender expression, political affiliation or religious belief. 

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed fairly and competitively using the following criteria:

• Potential for funding to strengthen one or more of the following:
  • Organization’s long-term effectiveness
  • Organization’s diversity
  • Organization’s governance
• The extent to which the proposed project will strengthen the organization's ability to effectively serve residents of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation region. 
• Readiness of the organization to implement proposed project (e.g., organization history, organization health and/or capacity goals, leadership commitment, or significant changes to the organization).
• Priority will be given to organizations with operating budgets under $1.5 million annually.
• Preference will be given to organizations whose mission and programs align with the foundation’s strategic priorities.
• Preference will be given to organizations whose project impacts underserved communities.

PROJECT EXAMPLES

For information purposes only (similar projects are not guaranteed funding):

• Hire a consultant to assist your organization in strategic planning
• Hire an outside facilitator to conduct board listening sessions on roles and responsibilities
• Pay for technical assistance training in building organizational capacity (finance, HR, fundraising)
• Hire a consultant to do an organizational assessment
• Training for current staff to implement new technology (CRM, website, database, etc.)
• Potential outcomes may include: stronger governance, clearer strategic direction, improved systems and processes, increased staff or board capacity, enhanced financial management, greater organizational resilience, or strengthened diversity, equity, and inclusion

AWARDS

Grants range up to $10,000 for a single year.

BTCF’s Arts Build Community Initiative has designated funding for Berkshire County arts and culture organizations as part of this grant opportunity. 

GRANT PERIOD

The grant period begins on the award date and continues until the follow-up report is due on June 1.

REPORTING

As part of the foundation's effort to learn and understand the results from this program, participating grantees in the Planning and Technical Assistance Grant Program are required to complete a follow-up report.

APPLICATION TIMELINE

The application opens May 1. Applications are due June 15.