Local Impact
The Hardman Fund was established by their families, all of whom are descendants of the earliest settlers of the area that eventually came to be known as North Adams. For over 100 years, the Hardman family owned and published The North Adams Transcript, a daily newspaper founded in 1843. The last members of the family to carry on this honorable tradition, brothers James and Robert demonstrated a lifelong commitment to the welfare of the residents of northern Berkshire County, second only to their devotion to family.
The Hardman Fund for North Adams enriches the lives of residents by supporting projects in the arts and culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education and the environment.
$799K
Total amount of grantmaking since 2000
359
Total number of grants since 2000
Read about the fund's grantmaking guidelines and how to apply.
- 18 Degrees, Kids 4 Harmony North Adams, $3,000
- Arts in Recovery for Youth, Program support, $4,400
- Berkshire Food Project, Program support, $6,000
- Berkshire Grown, Program support, $6,000
- Berkshire Nursing Families, Northern Berkshire Lactation Support Program, $5,000
- Berkshires Tomorrow, The Berkshire Opioid Addiction Prevention Collaborative, $5,000
- City of North Adams Office of Community Events, Farmers market, $6,000
- Community Access to the Arts, Programs in North Adams, $5,000
- Ecu-Health Care, Program support, $3,000
- Louison House, Program support, $10,000
- Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Foundation, MCLA Food Pantry, $3,000
- Northern Berkshire Interfaith Action Initiative, Partnership with Al Nelson Friendship Center Food Pantry, $7,000
- ROOTS Teen Center, Program support, $2,500
- The Brien Center, Program support, $5,000
"People eat lunch with us for many reasons. All are made welcome and enjoy a good meal thanks to support like this grant."
- Berkshire Food Project
Advisory Committee
Ellen Janis, Chair, North Adams
Griffin Labbance, North Adams
Annie Rodgers, North Adams
Valerie Schwarz, North Adams
Candace Wall, Stamford, Vt.
Donate to the Hardman Fund
Make a secure online gift to the James and Robert Hardman Fund on our donate page.
Are you 70 ½ years old or older? A qualifying charitable distribution (QCD) allows you to donate up to $100,000 per year to the Hardman Fund (or any eligible charitable organization) directly from your IRA and exclude it from your income. Please email our Philanthropic Services team at PS@BerkshireTaconic.org to learn more.
Double the size of your gift! Many employers offer matching gift programs, allowing you to double the amount you give just by filling out a simple form. Check with your employer to learn more. Berkshire Taconic’s tax ID # is 06-125-4469.
