Local Impact

The William J. and Margery S. Barrett Fund was established in 1995 by local teacher and accomplished photographer Margery Barrett to strengthen the communities of Adams, Cheshire, and Savoy by improving education, health, and quality of life. 

Mrs. Barrett was born in North Adams in 1910 and moved to Adams as a child. As a long-time educator in the local school system, she loved her community and felt great joy in giving back, anonymously supporting the organizations that served the people she dedicated her life to teaching. Only upon her death in 2000 was her name announced publicly for the first time. 

The fund supports elder services, health and human services, arts programs, after school activities, environmental protection and a wide variety of community education programs. It also offers a public service award to celebrate individuals who make a significant contribution to the well-being of these towns through paid or volunteer work. 
 

$3.3M

Total amount of grantmaking since 1995

484

Total number of grants since 1995

 

Read about the fund's grantmaking guidelines and how to nominate someone for a public service award.

Grantmaking Nominations

  • Arts in Recovery for Youth, Spring project, $5,000
  • BART Charter Public School, BART Presents: Javier Zamora, $4,000
  • Berkshire Community Action Council, Elf program, summer children's adventure program, $5,000
  • Berkshire Nursing Families, Lactation support project, $19,000
  • Child Care of The Berkshires, Targeted family engagement and support, $6,000
  • Community Health Programs, Creating access to dental care, $25,000
  • Elizabeth Freeman Center, Berkshire Violence Prevention Program, $11,000
  • Louison House, Housing stability support program, $7,000
  • MASS MoCA, Art education at MASS MoCA, $2,410
  • Tamarack Hollow Nature and Cultural Center, Nature and cultural education opportunities for adults, youth and educators, $4,000

“We provided warm clothing, boots, hats and mittens to many families. Without this funding, we would not be able to increase the number of children we serve.”

- Aleta Moncecchi, Berkshire Community Action Council

Advisory Committee

Dawn Canales, Cheshire, Chair

Dianne Cutillo, Adams

Gwen DeBlois, Savoy

Tyler Bissaillon, Adams

Donate to the Fund

Make a secure online gift to the William J. and Margery S. Barrett 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 William J. and Margery S. Barrett 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.