GRANT GUIDELINES

GRANT INFORMATION

Centering mental health and wellness, our Better Together Grants support projects that help South County residents build resilience and replenish personal and collective well-being through community-building, positive social interaction, creative expression, physical activity, self-care, and mutual support.

The South Berkshire County Fund Committee invites applications for new or existing projects, programs or services that have a deep, lasting, and positive impact on members of the community, with particular emphasis on low-income, underserved, and/or historically marginalized adults and children. We look for organizations that incorporate diverse cultures, philosophies, and experiences across their programming.

Grants will be awarded for activities with a minimum of 10 participants. Examples include:

• Counseling services
• Respite services
• Educational programs
• Outdoor/park activities
• Parent Groups (i.e. Parent Cafés, playgroups)
• STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) and environmental programming
• Summer Educational/Camp programming
• Youth and adult Peer-to-Peer Groups
• Arts and Cultural programming

DEADLINE

Applications are due by October 15, 2024.

AWARDS

Grants of up to $5,000 will be awarded.

ELIGIBILITY

The fund considers proposals from nonprofit organizations, public agencies, or community organizations that provide services to the residents of Alford, Egremont, Great Barrington, Lee, Lenox, Monterey, Mount Washington, New Marlborough, Otis, Richmond, Sandisfield, Sheffield, Stockbridge, Tyringham, and West Stockbridge. Community groups may apply under the fiscal umbrella of a nonprofit organization.

We welcome applications from a single organization or collaborative partnerships.

The South Berkshire County Fund does not 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/gender identity, socioeconomic status, disability, sexual orientation, political affiliation or religious belief.

REVIEW CRITERIA

Applications will be reviewed by the South Berkshire County Fund Committee, a volunteer committee of South Berkshire residents. Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s Board of Directors will review the selected recommendations.

Selections are based on the review criteria stated below:

• Quality: How worthy is the project? Is it the right time for this project? Does it involve qualified individuals or organizations? Is it well conceived? Does it fit well with other related activities and priorities? Is it cost-effective?

• Extent of Impact: What is the potential impact of the project or service on the community? Does it engage the community? Does it address an unmet need in the community? Is it a critical program or initiative at this time?

• Feasibility: Can the applicant complete the project? Does the organization or individual exhibit a demonstrated capacity to initiate and successfully execute similar projects? Are the appropriate staff members or volunteers involved? Is the staff/group capable and stable enough to perform the tasks necessary to complete the proposed project?

• Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion: Priority will be given to projects serving marginalized, underserved and under-resourced populations, including communities of color, low-income, geographically isolated, LGBTQIA+, individuals with disabilities, refugees, and immigrants.

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 South Berkshire County Fund for funding.