Berkshire Taconic’s Community Fund granted over $331,000 in 2024 to address issues ranging from supporting local fire departments fighting the Butternut wildfire to engagement in democracy and strengthening local journalism. 
 
The flexible resources of our Community Fund amplify our ability to respond to emergent needs, seize opportunities to lead on issues, and launch new projects with the potential for powerful results over the long term.
 
Other issues supported by the Community Fund this year include affordable housing initiatives, conservation, community leadership initiatives for BIPOC residents and professional development for youth. Our Youth in Democracy fellowship and Local Journalism programs laid the groundwork for deeper civic engagement by keeping the community informed and connected to issues they care about.    

Youth in Democracy

This twelve-month fellowship engages students in advocating for change at the local level by addressing an issue that stirs their passion. Through hands-on workshops and ongoing mentorship, Fellows are connecting with local government and building skills to bring their visions to life. This program—a collaboration between the Center for Civic Engagement at Bard College and five regional youth organizations—evolved out of BTCF’s commitment to engage young people in civic life, recognizing their potential to drive change and the importance of nurturing the next generation of public leaders.

Local Journalism 

Local journalism is critical to a healthy democracy because it provides quality information and transparency on the issues that impact our everyday lives. To that end, the Community Fund is supporting a High School Journalism program that engages students in working directly with editors and reporters at the Lakeville Journal. Students develop their writing, editing, and reporting skills while meeting local leaders and gaining an understanding of how their community functions, helping to foster a generation of voices equipped to tell the truths of our communities. 

The Community Fund is also underwriting a reporter at the Berkshire Eagle focused on the housing affordability crisis. This in-depth reporting by the Eagle will foster greater shared understanding and inform advocacy and action by residents and elected officials. This support builds on BTCF’s partnership with the Berkshire Eagle Local Journalism Initiative and similar collaborations with the Lakeville Journal/Millerton News and the Columbia Paper, which help preserve local reporting, shine a spotlight on critical issues, hold authorities accountable and foster vibrant public debate. 

Response to Emerging Needs

The flexible resources in the Community Fund enable a quick response when pressing issues arise. Following the onset of the Butternut forest fires that ignited on November 18, 2024 in Great Barrington, Massachusetts, Berkshire Taconic was able to draw on the Community Fund for donations to the fire departments in Sheffield and Great Barrington, and to the assisting fire departments of New Marlborough, Otis, Egremont, Hinsdale, Windsor, Lee, and Pittsfield as well.