$20,000 in Grants to Address Nonprofit Capacity
PITTSFIELD, MA - Berkshire Bank Foundation is excited to announce a new grant opportunity to help meet the evolving needs of nonprofit organizations in communities served by Berkshire Bank. Through the Xtraordinary Day Grant Request For Proposal, (RFP), Berkshire is inviting concise proposals that seek to build the capacity of nonprofit organizations by funding a variety of activities that will improve the organization's performance and impact. If selected, the organization will be eligible for one of four grants of up to $5,000.
Capacity building is that which is needed to bring a nonprofit to the next level of operational, programmatic, financial, or organizational maturity. Capacity building is not just about the capability of a nonprofit today but about the organization's ability to deliver on its mission into the future. Examples of projects that will be considered through the grant opportunity include, but are not limited to, the developing of a communications strategy, refining program design, improving volunteer recruitment, enhancing corporate partnerships, upgrading technology, and delivering professional development, including conference attendance.
"We often hear from our nonprofit partners that one of the challenges to achieving more robust outcomes and dramatically improving the lives of members of our communities is their limited capacity," stated Lori Gazzillo, Vice President and Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. "Many organizations are doing incredibly impactful work, but lack the funding to support initiatives such as professional development or technology upgrades to enhance their programs. We're excited to offer this grant opportunity to help provide some of these organizations with the funding they need to take their operations to the next level."
To be eligible for support, organizations must be a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization located in or directly providing services in communities served by Berkshire Bank. Organizations must also submit an application through the online process. Applications for the grant opportunity are now available at www.berkshirebank.com/rfp . The short application includes basic organization and contact information as well as an open response field to address a series of questions. Organizations will have until April 30, 2017 to submit their requests.
All submissions will be reviewed by a group of Berkshire Bank employee volunteers as part of their Xtraordinary Day of Service on June 7, 2017. Employee volunteers will evaluate each submission using an electronic scoring system. Each submission will be reviewed a minimum of three times with the average of the scores being tallied as the final score. The organizations with the highest score(s) will receive funding in late June 2017.
Questions about this grant opportunity should be directed to foundation@berkshirebank.com
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 $2 million to nonprofits throughout the Bank's footprint and 100% of bank employees provide over 40,000 hours of service through their XTEAM® corporate volunteer program. Berkshire Bank was named one of Massachusetts' Most Charitable Companies by the Boston Business Journal in 2016. 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 $9.2 billion in assets and 97 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, New Jersey and Pennsylvania providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. 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 and the community partner of Boston Season at City Hall Plaza.
Contact: Heidi Higgins
Berkshire Bank
Phone: (413) 236-3756
E-Mail: hhiggins@berkshirebank.com
Vanessa Pesa
Berkshire Bank
Phone: 413-281-4532
E-Mail: vpesa@berkshirebank.com