In 2000, Berkshire Taconic created the Fund for the Northwest Corner (FNWC) to focus on the residents of northwest Litchfield County. As the region’s nonprofit organizations strive to meet the increasing demand for services, the Fund for the Northwest Corner is there to support them.

In 2024, FNWC granted almost $96,000 to local nonprofits:

• Basic individual household needs through the Neighbor-to-Neighbor for the NWC Fund
• Continuing and growing the Region One Summer Mountaineer program for middle school students
• Addressing the rural healthcare shortage by supporting the launch of Community Health & Wellness Center in North Canaan
• Creating, with partners, regional and cross-sector support for affordable housing
• Strengthening local nonprofits through capacity-building grants

Jeanine Rose, Region One Superintendent, said, “Without Berkshire Taconic’s Fund for the Northwest Corner, the Summer Mountaineer Experience would not exist. This year, we doubled attendance. The program helps middle schoolers build connections, develop leadership skills, and smoothly transition to our regional high school.” 

FNWC was a key supporter for the newly opened Community Health & Wellness facility in Canaan, Conn., which is expanding access to healthcare for many underserved families in the area. 

Donor-advised fundholders at Berkshire Taconic are also integral partners in the FNWC's work. Their support significantly supplements the strategic grantmaking for the area fund. As with all of BTCF's geographically-specific Area Funds, the Fund for the Northwest Corner benefits from strategic guidance and investment power of BTCF. Through the unique insights, expertise and knowledge of the Foundation’s staff and the highly localized committee, FNWC is uniquely positioned to intervene at critical junctures and ensure that funding is provided to organizations at the most advantageous time.