Central Berkshire Fund

The Central Berkshire Fund is a grantmaking program managed by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, an established philanthropic organization headquartered in Sheffield, Massachusetts. The fund was initiated in 2001 by a Dalton native with the intent of supporting nonprofit activities that improve the quality of life for residents in the Central Berkshire region. Specifically, the fund benefits the towns of Becket, Cummington, Dalton, Hinsdale, Peru, Washington, and Windsor. As an endowed fund, it serves as a long-term resource for community support across town lines and emphasizes aiding low-income and underserved adults and children. The fund supports new or existing projects, programs, or services that directly impact the target communities in the areas of arts and culture, education, environment, and health and social services. Applicants may propose projects of various types, including programmatic initiatives, capital improvements, and general operating support. Previous grantees are eligible to reapply, making the fund a viable option for both first-time applicants and organizations with established relationships. Eligibility for funding is limited to nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community organizations providing services to residents of the seven towns mentioned. Additionally, teachers, students, or parents may submit applications for educational initiatives not eligible for support from the Seven Towns' Education Partnership (STEP) Fund, provided they include a letter of support from a school principal or superintendent. Public agencies may also apply for community enrichment projects, though grants are not designed to replace tax funding. Grant awards typically range between $2,000 and $5,000. A one-to-one match is required, which may come in the form of cash, services, or in-kind contributions. The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation reserves the right to modify this matching policy in certain cases. Applications are reviewed by the Central Berkshire Fund Committee, primarily composed of residents from the Central Berkshire towns. Final recommendations are reviewed and approved by the foundation’s Board of Directors. Review criteria include impact, equity, and feasibility. Priority is given to projects that serve underserved populations, including BIPOC, low-income, LGBTQIA+, refugee, immigrant, disabled, and geographically isolated individuals. Applications are typically accepted starting in early September, with a current submission deadline of October 15, 2025. The fund does not operate on a rolling basis but is recurring annually. An assessment report on funded projects is required upon completion before applicants may be considered for future funding. Interim reports may be required for multi-year projects. Interested applicants can access the application portal through the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation website. For general inquiries, contact the foundation via email at info@berkshiretaconic.org or by phone at 413.229.0370. The mailing address is 800 North Main Street, Sheffield, MA 01257-9503. The foundation’s Tax ID number is 06-1254469.