Berkshire Bank Foundation Invests Over $300,000 in Education, Economic Development, and Basic Needs

PITTSFIELD, MA, April 20, 2017 – Berkshire Bank Foundation is excited to announce that it has awarded $314,901 in grants and pledges to 88 nonprofit organizations through their 3 main grant programs, which focus on community and economic development, education and basic needs. The funding was awarded during the first quarter grants cycle.

In 2017, Berkshire Bank Foundation implemented refined priorities focusing on specific outcomes. The organizations and programs receiving funding best achieved these outcomes in the areas of early childhood literacy, financial education, job training, affordable housing, small business development, neighborhood revitalization, food access, health care access and addiction treatment, among others.

"We are so pleased to continue supporting many nonprofit organizations making great strides in the areas outlined within our new priorities," said Lori Gazzillo, Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation. "We look forward to continuing to enhance the impact of our support as we work with the various deserving organizations to address our most pressing issues."

Additional details about the Foundation's philanthropic strategy and application criteria can be found online at www.berkshirebank.com/foundation

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 Berkshire Hills Bancorp 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 a network of financial services including personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services. The company believes life is exciting, and we are driven to exist at the critical moments in our customers' life. Through providing our customers big bank resources with small bank attention, we help turn what is exciting to them into reality. Berkshire Bank is the official bank of NESN's Boston Bruins coverage and the community partner of Boston Seasons at City Hall Plaza. To learn more, visit www.berkshirebank.com, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on: Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.