NEWS & UPDATES | OCTOBER 2024

Youth in Democracy Projects Off and Running in 2024

Youth fellows work with mentors, community-focused nonprofits and local officials on projects to create positive change in their communities. Recently launched projects include a voter registration drive, a Harvest Festival, a drone program to assist firefighters and a community garden. Read More.

Pictured: Youth Fellows Angel Camargo (second from left) and Zaina Aboueid (second from right) organized a Harvest Festival for residents of Millerton, NY. Left to right: Erin Chirevas (North East Community Center), Angel, Katie Cariello (NECC) , Zaina, Paul Marienthal (Youth in Democracy program organizer, Bard College).

Grantee Spotlights

Twenty-Nine Regional Artists Supported by Two Grant Programs Totaling $215K - Applications Now Open

L. Fensterstock, "When a Fourth Sun..."

Berkshire Taconic has two grant programs that nurture artists at every stage of their artistic development; The Martha Boschen Porter Fund and the Artists Resource Trust (A.R.T.). Grantees create work from a wide array of perspectives in photography, sculpture, collage and more. We spotlight Merik Goma, Lauren Fensterstock and John Lawson. Read more.

Applications open. Deadline is October 15 for The Martha Boschen Porter Fund, The Artists Resource Trust for Individuals and The Artists Resource Trust for Organizations.

Hudson Hall: A Community-Focused Arts Nonprofit Revitalizing Downtown and Serving Youth

Hudson Hall in Hudson, N.Y., is a community-focused nonprofit with a mission to promote the arts and contribute to the revitalization of downtown Hudson. Berkshire Taconic’s Fund for Columbia County supports two unique youth programs, The Live Arts and Media Workforce Development Program and the Community Arts Program for Youth. Read More. Pictured: Hudson Hall performance, Live Arts and Media. Photo by David McIntyre.

Sharon Hospital Introduces Highschoolers to Careers in Healthcare

Fall Grant Opportunities-Education Enrichment Grants

In Memoriam

Bob Norris, Beloved Leader and Friend

It is with great sadness that we share the passing of Bob Norris on September 12, 2024. He was a treasured friend and former member and Chair of the Berkshire Taconic Board. Most recently, he continued his service on the advisory committee of the South Berkshire County Fund. Bob was a beloved teacher, benefactor, community leader, and mentor. He was a kind and generous soul whose leadership left a legacy at Berkshire Taconic and across our region.

Grantee News

Equity Fund Launch Party at St. James Place Celebrated Our First Grantees!

In September, we celebrated the first Equity Fund grantees. We gathered at St. James Place, in partnership with The Dubois Freedom Center, to connect with community, share some delicious food, and present the story of the Equity Initiative. Congratulations to our inaugural grantees Who We Be!, Blackshires, African American Archive of Columbia County, Rock Steady Farm, Choices Mentoring Initiative, Brianna Christie and Greater Hudson Promise Neighborhood, Inc. Look for a full feature story on The Equity Initiative in our upcoming print publication BTCF News.

Pictured, left to right: Gwendolyn VanSant, fund architect, Alÿcia Bacon, BTCF CEO for Equity & Inclusion, Devin Shea, Ari Zorn, John Lewis, (Blackshires), Tanya Jackson (Who We Be!), Dubois Thomas (Blackshires), Lisa Fludd-Smith, Victoria S. Jimpson-Fludd (African American Archive of Columbia County), Elena Mosley (Operation Unite), Peter Smith, Ny Whitaker (DuBois Freedom Center), Rica Bryan (Rock Steady Farm), Monti Lawson (Catalyst Collaborative Farm). Photo by Kristen Blush.

In the News

‘Nonprofit workers are essential workers’: The fight continues for pay equity for arts organizations: The Berkshire Edge explores the release of the second Pay Equity Project report. Employees and representatives of Berkshire and Columbia counties’ arts organizations gathered to present their findings to the public on Wednesday, Sept. 25, at Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center.

Our Home, Our Future: Voices from our Salisbury community about the housing we need for a healthy, economically vibrant future. The Lakeville Journal spoke with the Vega family, whose daughter Yaritza is a BTCF 2023 Derwin Scholarship winner. This prestigious scholarship supports up to $5,000 for a national or overseas community service program and up to $25,000 for tuition and associated costs of attending a United States college for up to four years.

Staff News

We have welcomed Kara Mikulich as our Interim President of Berkshire Taconic for a one-year term. Kara has been with us since 2018 as Chief Philanthropy Officer and brings a deep understanding of our mission and operations to her new role. With more than 30 years of leadership in the nonprofit sector, Kara will provide guidance and strategic insight during her term. Congrats Kara!

Program Director Maeve O'Dea was selected for Berkshire Magazine's "Berkshire 25"! The award recognizes "individuals who work to make a better Berkshires." and who "get to 'yes we can' with unmatched determination." Maeve's work at the foundation has touched the lives of many people across our region. Her contributions over the past thirty years have been instrumental to the foundation's--and our communities'-- growth and success. Read More.

Kelly Sweet, Interim Director of Philanthropic Services, presented "Funding, Sustainability & the Future of Public Libraries" as a panelist at the Association of Rural and Small Libraries National Conference in Springfield, Mass. The conference brought together grantmakers from the Mellon Foundation, IMLS, Mass Humanities, and others to discuss their current support for rural and small public libraries, and to consider funding strategies for the future.

We're Hiring! BTCF seeks a Senior Accountant (Investment Accounting) possessing experience in investment accounting to augment our finance and accounting operations by maintaining accurate financial records and reporting. This role reports to the Controller, and is intended to be a full-time, hybrid role. View listing.

Upcoming Events Supported by BTCF

October 5 Festival, Noir Roots: A free festival Saturday, October 5th presented by Berkshire Black Economic Council. Say hello to BTCF and stop by our table! Get community resources and enjoy food, fun, a basketball tournament, a fashion show and more at Clapp Park in Pittsfield, MA. 11 am-4 pm: family -friendly activities. 5-7 pm: events are catered to adults.

October 22 Small Business Seminar:

Business Model Canvas II: A free Small Business Seminar focused on the Business Model Canvas, a crucial tool for developing and testing business ideas. The workshop, led by John Schnyder, will help you refine your business plan, identify key market segments, and minimize risk. Register.