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.

Baseball in the Berkshires Museum in Residence in Lee

Community submission
LEE, Mass. – Berkshire County’s newest Museum is now open.
 
Baseball in the Berkshires Museum is free and open 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays in the Lee Premium Outlets.
 
The Museum is located in Suite B 55, between Lindt Chocolate and Johnston & Murphy. Its present exhibit is titled - "The Fascinating Story of Baseball in the Berkshires.”
 
This multi-media exhibit features stories that tell about the rich history of baseball in the Berkshires. Artifacts related to important dates, landmarks, events, teams or persons are displayed throughout the exhibit.
 
Visitors will find interesting stories about many of our local “heroes” as well as some about baseball legends and their connection to the Berkshires.
 
Visitors of all ages are drawn into this exhibit not only by the subject matter but its interest to people of all walks of life. Our young visitors are attracted to the interactive children's display where they are able to touch, feel, compare and try-on the artifacts. Reading stations for our younger generation or our young at heart are created to share a story, baseball memory or a picture book.
 
This exhibit ensures that memories will be made here and remembered for years to come.
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