Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires seeks Nominations for Berkshire Nonprofit Awards

GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass.—The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, will present the ninth annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards breakfast on Tuesday, May 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Pittsfield.

The awards recognize individuals who work in the nonprofit sector to serve the Berkshire community.

"In the midst of some challenging years for the nonprofit sector, it's imperative that we make space to honor those in our community who are doing incredible work day in and day out," said McCaela Donovan, Associate Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires. "This event creates space for joy and recognition, which is essential in this moment. If you know someone making a difference, please take the time to nominate them."

Nominations are being solicited from across the Berkshires in seven categories: Executive Leadership, Board Leadership, Unsung Hero, Volunteer, Rock Star, Lifetime Achievement, and the Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership Award. 

Honorees—one in each category—will be selected by a committee of business and nonprofit leaders. Nomination forms are available at npcberkshires.org/nominate. The deadline for submissions is March 13.

The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires is an infrastructure and support organization for the Berkshire nonprofit sector- which employs one in four people in Berkshire County. Now in its tenth year, NPC is currently seeking sponsors for this celebratory event. For more information about sponsorship opportunities, contact McCaela Donovan at mccaela@npcberkshires.org.

Greenagers Founder Will Conklin Honored as Business Person of the Year

By Breanna Steele12:17PM / Saturday, October 03, 2026

Casey Pease of state Sen. Paul Mark's office presents William Conklin, right, with a state Senate proclamation.

EGREMONT, Mass. — The Southern Berkshire Chamber of Commerce honored a local businessman and nonprofit leader on Sept. 24 at Catamount Mountain Resort.

 

William Conklin was this year's Business Person of the Year, recognizing his work as founder and executive director of Greenagers, a nonprofit that helps youth and children engage in work in environmental conservation, sustainable farming, natural resource management, and vocational skills building. 

 

Conklin and his family also run Sky View Farm and he is a managing partner of Konkapot Tree and Timber, a small-scale forest products business.

 

"If you spent any amount of time in Southern Berkshire, chances are you've heard his name, whether you realize the connection at the time or not," said board member Sierra King Watson, who emceed the event. "You might be having a conversation about farming, a new barn or structure that was built, students learning hands-on skills in sustainable agriculture, or a family that receives donated firewood to help keep their home warm through a cold Berkshire winter, or maybe you're simply talking about one of those community leaders who somehow manages to show up, support everyone, and seemingly be everywhere all at once.

 

"Well, one name has a way of continuously popping up, and that is Will Conklin."

 

Board President Mark Rulison said the region has more than 1,200 nonprofits. One in four jobs in the county is in the nonprofit sector, which ranks 27th nationally for nonprofit employment. He said the economic impact on the community is huge, thanking those who help.

 

For the event on Thursday, Conklin requested that as much of the food as possible was sourced locally. Most of it came from Greenagers, Sky View Farm, Indian Line Farm and Fancy Feast Supper Club, creative dinner series.