Lee Bank Foundation Awards $55K In First Grant Cycle of 2026

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LEE, Mass. — The Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $55,000 in its first grant cycle of 2026 to support thirteen Berkshire-based nonprofit organizations.

Grant awards in this cycle ranged from $500 to $10,000 and will support initiatives aligned with the Foundation's core focus areas, including education, food security, economic development, health and human services, and workforce development.

"The strength of our community comes from the organizations doing the work every day to support Berkshire County residents," said Chuck Leach, President and CEO of Lee Bank. "Through the Foundation, we are proud to invest in programs that create opportunity, address critical needs, and make a meaningful difference across the region."

The recipients in this grant cycle are:

  • AdLib
  • Berkshire Community Diaper Project
  • Berkshire Film & Media Collaborative
  • Berkshire Humane Society
  • Berkshire Innovation Center
  • Hilltown Village
  • Lee Youth Association
  • Literacy Network of South Berkshire
  • Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center
  • Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Arts
  • Momentum Ag
  • Railroad Street Youth Project
  • The Mount

Nonprofit organizations interested in applying for the next round of funding, due by June 1, 2026, can find application details in the Community Impact section of leebank.com.

To be considered, applicants must have 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. The Foundation prioritizes program-based grants aligned with one or more of the following focus areas:

  • Education and literacy
  • Food security and nutrition
  • Economic growth and development
  • Health and human services
  • Mentorship, internship, and school-to-work initiatives

Organizations are eligible to receive funding once during a 12-month period.

 

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Ribbon Cut on Lee's Long-Awaited Housing Development

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff

LEE, Mass.— After more than a decade of work, tenants will move into the Eagle Mill Lofts this fall. 

On Tuesday, Hearthway and Rees-Larkin Development held a ribbon-cutting for the first 56 apartments in the former paper mill.  Sitting on the banks of the Housatonic River, this development offers one- to three-bedroom, mixed-income units in the heart of the downtown. 

Lead Developer Jeffrey Cohen said the apartments are "unbelievable."  The building's original brick is celebrated in the units, which feature different layouts and are contrasted with modern appliances and features. 

"I saw the apartments when they first got done, and I couldn't understand really how they look so good," he said during a ceremony in the foyer. 

"And I think that is so good for the town of Lee, for affordable housing in general." 

This project has been ongoing since 2012.  Individuals and families will begin to move in next month.  This is the first phase; another 44 apartments will be built onsite. 

President and CEO of Hearthway Eileen Peltier said projects like the Eagle Mill are important to addressing the need for housing at varied income levels.  These units will house families of varied incomes, with rent-assisted units for people making 30 percent of the area median income, and affordable units for those in the 60-80 percent AMI. 

Rents under these guidelines range from $1,360 for a one-bedroom to $2,100 for a three-bedroom. 

"What that means is that people with varied life resumes will be living here in this beautiful community," Peltier said. 

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