Local Impact
The Hardman Fund was established by the families of James A. Hardman, Jr. (1909-1990) and Robert Hardman (1911-1978) to honor the memory of these two dedicated citizens of North Adams, Massachusetts and to enrich the lives of residents by supporting projects in the arts and culture, historic preservation, health, human and social services, education and the environment.
For over 100 years, the Hardman family owned and published The North Adams Transcript, a daily newspaper for the Northern Berkshires founded in 1843. The Hardman brothers came of age in an era when civic duty was the highest calling. Both men deeply loved the City of North Adams and the surrounding Berkshire Hills, and their lifelong commitment to the welfare of local residents was second only to their devotion to family. They were honored to serve the community, and their children decided to honor their legacy by establishing the James and Robert Hardman Fund.
$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
Griffin Labbance, North Adams, Mass.
Annie Rodgers, North Adams, Mass.
Candace Wall, Stamford, Vt.
Pamela Wax, North Adams, Mass.
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.
