Berkshire Taconic Funding Opportunities Across Four Counties

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SHEFFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is offering nearly 20 grant opportunities and 80 scholarship programs in its winter funding cycle, providing support for nonprofits, students, and community organizations across four counties.
 
Eligible applicants in Berkshire County, Mass.; Columbia and northeast Dutchess Counties, N.Y.; and northwest Litchfield County, Conn., are encouraged to explore funding opportunities that address a range of needs, from environmental initiatives and the arts, to education and food security.
 
Berkshire Taconic's streamlined scholarship application process connects students with nearly 80 scholarship funds, offering financial support for higher education. The deadline to apply is March 15, and early applications are encouraged, as some scholarships require additional materials. Awards will be announced in June. In 2024, scholarship awards totaled $898,000 through our programs.
 
For details and to apply, visit berkshiretaconic.org/scholarships.
 
This winter's grant cycle includes funding for projects that expand access to fresh food, strengthen the arts, advance environmental initiatives, and support nonprofit innovation.
 
Key opportunities include:
 
  • Planning and Technical Assistance Grants (Deadline: Feb. 15) Provides flexible funding to help nonprofits improve programs and strategy.
 
  • Fund for Columbia County: Grants for Community Impact (Deadline: Feb. 15) Supports youth development, elder services, civic engagement, education, and the arts.
 
  • Fund for Columbia County: School-to-Work Grants (Deadline: Feb. 15) Funds innovative programs that help high school and college-age students transition into the workforce.
 
  • Fresh and Healthy Food for All in Columbia County (Deadline: Feb. 15) Supports efforts to ensure equitable access to fresh, healthy food.
 
  • Northeast Dutchess Fund (Deadline: Feb. 15) Invests in programs serving underserved children and adults in northeast Dutchess County.
 
  • Crane Family Fund (Deadline: Feb. 15) Supports innovative projects that advance environmental sustainability and community health in Berkshire County.
 
  • Arts Build Community: Incubation Grants (Opens Feb. 1, Deadline: Mar. 15) Provides support for Berkshire County arts and cultural organizations to pilot new approaches to engaging residents.
 
A full list of grant opportunities and eligibility details is available at berkshiretaconic.org/winter25.
If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

18 Degrees Event Celebrates Reunified Families

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — For many families involved with the Department of Children and Families, the first feeling is often fear of their child being removed from the home.
 
In reality, its goal is the opposite.
 
Last week, families, attorneys, social workers, and agency staff gathered at the 18 Degrees Family Resource Center to honor four families who overcame obstacles, such as addiction, successfully navigated the system, and were ultimately reunited with their children.
 
According to the event flyer, since 2010, the child welfare community has recognized June as Family Unification Month, formerly Family Reunification Month, to honor families working to strengthen and reunify their families, as well as the advocates who support them and help prevent family separation.
 
Speaking at the podium, some parents reflected on the negative perceptions they once had of DCF – views that changed as they confronted their struggles, persevered, and worked with the agency to access support and become better parents.
 
The setting of the celebration reflected the theme of new beginnings, as the name 18 Degrees symbolizes the height of the sun on a new day, which is filled with new opportunities and possibilities, said Stephanie Steed, 18 Degrees president and CEO. 
 
"It is where the change from darkness to light happens, and all those things are just really symbolic and really a part of everyone's process," she said. 
 
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