OVERVIEW: The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation supports education, health care, basic human needs, arts, and the environment in regions of New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts.
FUNDING AREAS: Education, health care, basic human needs, arts, environment
IP TAKE: Under BTCF’s current strategic plan, it has emerged as a significant education and economic development funder in its four-county region.
PROFILE: Established in 1987, the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF) is a community foundation that serves New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts. Four friends from Sharon and Salisbury, Connecticut raised money to form new community foundation for the region in the late-1980s. Initially called the Tri-County Community Foundation, BTCF was originally a New York Community Trust affiliate. Its mission involves “improving life in our region by investing in the vision, passion and expertise of our residents.” BTCF funds local education, health care, basic human needs, arts, and environmental efforts.
The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation awards hundreds of competitive grants each year and is the largest private scholarship source for students in the region. Education grants focus on increasing educational attainment to spark economic mobility, which translates to grants for all age groups from early childhood through adult education. Community engagement grants aim to increase community involvement, connect residents, and utilize residents’ skills to solve local issues. Economic opportunity grants address entrepreneurship needs, while philanthropic stewardship is also a priority for BTCF under its current strategic plan.
Grants range between about $3,000 and $10,000. Learn more about this funder’s local giving in the grantee stories section of the funder’s website. Grantmaking focuses on Columbia and Dutchess counties in New York, Litchfield County in Connecticut, and Berkshire County in Massachusetts. Past local grantees include the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Hudson Opera House, and the McCall Center for Behavioral Health.
This foundation accepts unsolicited grant applications from nonprofits. BTCF lists current grant and scholarship opportunities on its website with the relevant deadlines. Grantseekers should submit applications for funding via the foundation’s online system. The foundation typically provides notification of award decisions within six to eight weeks after application deadlines. Direct general questions to the staff at info@berkshiretaconic.org or 413-229-0370.
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