GRANT GUIDELINES

WHO CAN APPLY

Young people ages 13 to 19 who are residents of the Berkshire Taconic region, interested in participating in summer enrichment programs that foster their interest in the arts. Only individuals are eligible to apply.

SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

Bill Crofut was a folk singer who brought his talent into the world of international exchange with music. He had an unusual career and an unusual life, traveling and sharing his passion for music with others.

In the last months of his life he made an extraordinary CD, “Dancing on a Moonbeam.” It is his gift of music to raise money for the Simple Gifts Fund at the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. This final work fulfills a vision of Bill’s life – to make a recording with some of the many artists he worked with during a long and illustrious career and give the proceeds to aspiring young people.

Bill had deep understanding and empathy for the dreams and aspirations of young people. He wanted to do something that could help them achieve their goals. He knew that even small amounts of money could help someone to purchase an instrument, study dance and participate in a summer program. He loved to foster those small steps to further great passions.

The Simple Gifts Fund was established at Berkshire Taconic in 1998.

ELIGIBILITY

The Simple Gifts Fund will support the participation by young people aged 13 to 19 who are residents of the Berkshire Taconic region in summer enrichment programs that foster their interest in the arts.

The region served by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation consists of Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess* and northwest Litchfield** counties.
* refers to Amenia, Dover, Northeast (Millerton), Pine Plains, Stanford and Washington (Millbrook).
** refers to Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren, Conn.

It is up to you, the applicant, to make the case that the program you want to participate in will offer you an opportunity to explore new ventures. For example, you might request funds to do an artistic apprenticeship, internship with a dance or theater company, learn a musical instrument, or experiment in a new art form.

Your request might be for the cost of tuition, art supplies, or travel/living expenses: these grants are intended to make it possible for you to participate in a program that will have significance to you in some way. The fund does not support requests for equipment or sports programs. Preference is given to projects taking place within the Berkshire Taconic region.

Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation does not support organizations that 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.

AWARDS

Generally the awards will be from $200 to $800. Payments will be made directly to the organization or vendor.

Recipients will be required to complete a grant report about their experiences.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed using the following criteria:

• The quality of the enrichment program that you have chosen.
• The potential impact of the program on your life and studies/work.
• Evidence of your ambition to pursue your studies/work through engagement in this enrichment program.

Preference for projects and programs taking place within the Berkshire Taconic region and New England. Programs in foreign countries not considered.

Applications will be reviewed by members of the Simple Gifts Fund Committee. Their recommendations will be reviewed by Berkshire Taconic’s board of directors.