Local Impact

Berkshire Taconic established the South Berkshire County Fund in 2005 to improve the quality of life for its residents. The fund serves as a permanent resource for nonprofits and schools, with a focus on addressing disparities in educational and economic opportunities and boosting the social, economic, mental and physical well-being of vulnerable residents.

The South Berkshire County Fund supports strategic initiatives that can have a lasting impact on its communities. The fund currently works in partnership with select grantees to support a proven early childhood program, help youth make a successful transition from school to work and relieve pandemic-related stresses among school staff. A new grants program, “Better Together,” is funding new or existing projects and programs that support positive mental health and wellness for residents.

$1.3M

Total amount of grantmaking since 2005

185

Total number of grants since 2005

Read about the fund’s grantmaking guidelines and how to apply.

Learn More

  • Arts in Recovery for Youth (AIRY), Youth Suicide Prevention Program
  • Berkshire Botanical Garden, Scholarships for Educational Programming
  • Berkshire County Kids' Place & Violence Prevention Center, Trauma Recovery Program
  • Berkshire Hills Regional School District, W.E.B. Du Bois Middle School: Author Visit with Jarrett Krosoczka
  • Berkshire Lyric Theatre, Inc., Educational Programs and Concerts
  • Berkshire Nursing Families, South County Lactation & Parenting Counseling Support Services
  • Berkshire Pride, Berkshire Regional School District GSA Unification and Support Network
  • Berkshire Pulse Inc., Intergenerational Community Wellness Classes in Dance and Fitness
  • Berkshire South Regional Community Center, Berkshire Ukulele Band (BUB) and Berkshire Sings! (Sings!)
  • Community Access to the Arts, CATA Art & Tea Program for Children with Disabilities and their Families
  • Construct Inc., Construct Staff Wellness Program
  • Community Health Programs, ParentChild+ Program
  • Families Like Ours, Families Like Ours
  • Greenagers, Pathways to the Trades and Community Work Initiative
  • Literacy Network of South Berkshire, LitNet's First Gen
  • MassHire Berkshire Workforce Board, South County Career Readiness Coordination Project
  • Music Art Puppet Sound Inc., Mobile Music Recording Studio in South Berkshire Public Parks
  • NAACP Berkshire County Branch Unit #2044, White Learning Circle for Berkshire County K-12 Teachers
  • Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires Inc., Student Philanthropy Curriculum Project with the Southern Berkshire Regional School District
  • Q-MoB, South Berkshire Queer Men's Diversity Leadership Project
  • Railroad Street Youth Project, South County Career Readiness Project
  • Stockbridge Council on Aging, Classes, Lecture Series, and Cultural Activities
  • TriTown Connector, Free Rides for Veterans
  • Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires, Inclusive Outdoor Recreation Program
     

“When we come together to meet the mental health needs of our staff, I believe that we get natural byproducts of physical and psychological wellness.”

- Michael Richard, Lee Public Schools

Advisory Committee

Ellen Boyd, West Stockbridge, Chair

Peter Dillon, Great Barrington

Dennise Garcia Sevilla, West Stockbridge

Matthew King, Sandisfield

Charles Leach, Lee

America Lopez, West Stockbridge

Robin McGraw, Sheffield

Ted Okun, Great Barrington

Sarah Steven, Sheffield

Ari Zorn, South Egremont

Donate to the South Berkshire County Fund

Make a secure online gift to the South Berkshire County Fund on our donate page.

Are you 70 ½ years old or older? A qualifying charitable distribution (QCD) allows you to donate up to $105,000 per year to the South Berkshire County 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.