Sheffield, Mass.— The board of directors of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) has unanimously appointed Kara Mikulich as president. Mikulich has served as interim president since September 2024, a period marked by renewed clarity, values-driven action, and strong collaboration.
“I’ve spent my entire career in the nonprofit sector—working in, advocating for, and raising support for organizations that community foundations like BTCF exist to uplift,” said Mikulich. “That grounding shapes how I approach philanthropy. I love being rooted in community and working at the intersection of generosity and impact.”
Mikulich joined BTCF in 2018 as Chief Philanthropy Officer, leading a six-person team that raised $95 million over five years, doubled the number of new funds, and increased annual giving by 80%. These expansive increases took place through the difficult pandemic years, when many nonprofits struggled to maintain organizational momentum.
“Kara leads with integrity, deep philanthropic expertise, and an unwavering commitment to community,” said Dave Offensend, chair of the BTCF board. “The board is confident that she will lead BTCF through the opportunities and challenges ahead with vision, clarity, and care.”
Mikulich added, “There’s something extraordinary about being able to sit down with a donor, have a conversation about urgent needs in our region, and see that lead to a $100,000 gift for a new fund.”
She continued, “At BTCF, we have the resources and community trust to help fund meaningful solutions. That’s the kind of institution I want to lead—and the kind of impact I want to help create.”
Originally from Connecticut, Mikulich brings over 30 years of leadership in national service, grassroots organizing, and philanthropic strategy. Her career has spanned legal advocacy in Chicago, public school reform in New Orleans, and national service leadership in 25 cities across the U.S.—all unified by a belief in equity and the power of community-led change.
In her role as interim president, Mikulich oversaw the foundation’s operations and served as team leader for 20 staff members. She invigorated the foundation’s strategic focus on economic opportunity with the launch of BTCF Guaranteed Income for Columbia County.
Before joining BTCF, Mikulich served as Vice President of Strategy and Development at Public Allies, a national service organization that prepares young adults for careers in public service. There, she led national fundraising, built a strong development team, and mentored local leaders to diversify support across 25 cities.
Her earlier roles include program officer at the Joyce Foundation in Chicago, director of the Jesuit Grants Collaborative in New Orleans, and regional development director at Single Stop USA, where she supported students at community colleges in the Gulf South. She began her career as a staff attorney at the Legal Assistance Foundation of Chicago, representing low-income clients in public benefits appeals and contributing research to a landmark class action suit defending access to care for women and children.
Mikulich holds a law degree from Stanford Law School, where she focused on social change lawyering and served as associate editor of the Stanford Law Review, and a bachelor’s degree from the College of the Holy Cross, where she graduated magna cum laude, was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and received a Fulbright Fellowship.
“This foundation is grounded in the values of place-based philanthropy, equity, and opportunity,” said Mikulich. “I look forward to building on that legacy by working closely with donors, nonprofit leaders, and community partners to strengthen our collective impact.”
Mikulich lives in Norfolk, Conn., with her husband, Alex, a social ethicist, award-winning author, and anti-racism facilitator and activist. They have two adult children, a son and a daughter, who live in New York.
