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.

Parks Commission OKs Wahconah Park Event, Clapp Park Dugouts

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Baseball dugouts are planned for Clapp Park, and in April, the community will have one last look inside the historic Wahconah Park grandstand before it is demolished. 

On Tuesday, the Parks Commission approved a "Farewell to the Grandstand at Wahconah Park" event to be held on April 11 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. 

Recreation and Special Events Coordinator Jennifer VanBramer explained that the event will allow the community to see the more than 100-year-old structure before it comes down later in the spring. 

"Attendees will be able to go up to the top of the ramp to get a look into the grandstand for one last chance and quick photo op, but they can't get any further due to safety concerns," she explained. 

The property at 105 Wahconah St. has drawn attention for several years after the grandstand was deemed unsafe in 2022. Planners have determined that starting from square one is the best option; a $15 million rebuild is on the table. 

There will be speeches from city officials and Baseball in the Berkshire Director Larry Moore, a slideshow with old photographs and memories shared from the community, a table with renderings of the new grandstand, a memory table, and a story booth where short interviews can be recorded. 

"Ernie the Hot Dog Guy" is also confirmed as a food vendor. 

"We're looking forward to great weather, and unfortunately, we won't be able to get everyone fully into the grandstand, but certainly we'll be able to have folks view the grandstand from the safe areas of the grandstand," Parks, Open Space, and Natural Resources Manager James McGrath explained. 

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