PITTSFIELD, MA May 12, 2016 – Berkshire Bank Foundation announced that it has awarded $293,904 in grants and pledges to fifty-one nonprofit organizations in the Berkshires during their first quarter grants cycle.
The funding from Berkshire Bank Foundation supported a variety of organizations, some of which include:
- Berkshire Theatre Group based in Pittsfield, MA received a grant to support their BTG Plays school education program.
- Berkshire United Way based in Pittsfield, MA received a grant to support their earliy childhood literacy and teen pregnancy prevention programs.
- Hancock Shaker Village based in Hancock, MA received a grant to support their Kids 12 & Under Free program.
- Community Access to the Arts based in Gt. Barrington, MA received a grant to support their CATA in Schools arts education programming.
- Norman Rockwell Museum based in Stockbridge, MA received a grant to support their Love A Vet exhibit and education programs.
- Barrington Stage Company based in Pittsfield, MA received a grant to support their Playwright Mentoring Program.
- Mass MOCA based in North Adams, MA received a grant to support their assets for artists program.
- Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center based in Gt. Barrington, MA received a grant to support their educational programs.
- Stockbridge Bowl Association based in Stockbridge, MA received a grant to support efforts to revitalize Stockbridge Bowl.
- Boys & Girls Club of the Berkshires based in Pittsfield, MA received a grant to support the purchase of a new Zamboni.
Lori Gazzillo, Vice President and Director of the Foundation said, “We are proud to partner with these great organizations as we work collaboratively to make our communities stronger. It’s only through broad based support from individuals, foundations and businesses working alongside these non-profits that we’ll successfully improve our community. We’re proud to play a small role in that effort.”
In addition to financial support, the XTEAM®, the bank’s nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program, provides employees with paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours. In 2015, over 70% of Berkshire Bank’s employees provided more than 40,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations across the bank’s service area. The volunteer program is another way for the bank to give back to the communities where it does business.
About Berkshire Bank Foundation
Through foundation grants to nonprofits, scholarships to students, environmental programs, and employee volunteerism, Berkshire Bank is making a difference. Each year the Foundation donates over $1.8 million to nonprofits in the Bank’s footprint and employees provide over 40,000 hours of volunteer service. In 2015, Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts’ Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal. This year, Berkshire Bank and NESN are teaming up to raise $50,000 for Habitat for Humanity by donating funds to the Hockey 4 Housing campaign each time the Boston Bruins achieved a penalty kill. To learn more about Berkshire Bank Foundation, visit www.berkshirebank.com/community
About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting Bank®. The Company, recognized for its entrepreneurial approach and distinctive culture, has $7.8 billion in assets and 93 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services Berkshire Bank is the home financing and retail banking provider for the Massachusetts Teachers Association Benefits, MTA. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Berkshire Bank, is the official bank of NESN’s Boston Bruins coverage
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Media Contact:
Heidi Higgins
AVP Marketing
hhiggins@berkshirebank.com
(413) 236-3756