Lee Bank Foundation Awards $70,700 to 13 Berkshire Organizations
Lee — The Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $70,700 to thirteen Berkshire area organizations for their second-round of 2022 community funding. Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $12,500 to support their local programming.
The following organizations received funding from the Lee Bank Foundation: Berkshire Black Economic Council; Berkshire South Regional Community Center; Berkshire Bounty; Community Health Programs; Construct; Elizabeth Freeman Center; Flying Cloud Institute; Goodwill of the Berkshires and Southern Vermont; Link to Libraries; South Community Food Pantry. Additionally, Arts Access Grants of $1,000 each were awarded to Berkshire Theatre Group, BODYSONNET, and Norman Rockwell Museum.
The deadline for the next round of 2022 Foundation funding is September 1st. The application and more information can be found on the Community Impact section of Lee Bank’s website (https://www.leebank.com/community-impact/donations-sponsorships.html) To be considered for grant awards, applicants must be a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization.Applicants are only eligible for funding once in a 12-month period.
— S. B.
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WallaSauce and Conscientious Cloth Open in North Adams
North Adams — WallaSauce and Conscientious Cloth celebrate their opening as the second and third businesses in the Pop-Up North Berkshire pilot program. On Friday, July 8th at 1 p.m. join them for a “Cheers to Downtown” at 77 Main Street, North Adams. Hear the two business owners discuss and learn about what their businesses will be doing in the future. This program is funded through a grant from the Massachusetts Office of Business Development.
— S. B.
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Berkshire Economic Recovery Project Launches Training Module
Berkshire County — The Berkshire Economic Recovery Project launches a module to boost women and minority-owned business enterprise certifications. This training module, which will be available in both English and Spanish, provides an overview of what it means to be a certified enterprise, and how a certification can help support small businesses in the Berkshires.
Interested businesses can also schedule a free intake consultation with the Economic Development team at 1Berkshire. 1Berkshire is a country-wide organization focused on economic development.
Businesses and business owners are invited to visit the W/MBE module page at https://bit.ly/3yff8zP for more information and to view the recordings.
— S. B.
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BFAIR Community Event Raised $31,000
North Adams — On June 11th, BFAIR had a successful community event at their First Annual Summer Kick-Off Festival which raised $31,000. 34 sponsors and 28 in-kind donations from local businesses allowed BFAIR to have a fun-filled day of music, food, games and activities. Over $3,000 in prizes and raffles, including the winners in the BFAIR-Way Tournament were distributed.
To learn more about BFAIR: www.bfair.org.
— S. B.
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Berkshire Cider Project Celebrates
North Adams — Berkshire Cider Project celebrates their two-year anniversary with the release of the second vintage of community-sourced donated and wild hard cider. Everyone who contributed apples to the project will receive complementary cider as a “thank you” for their engagement and enthusiasm. All are invited to stop by Berkshire Cider Project’s tasting room and bottle shop to try a glass and pick up a bottle to share.
On July 14th the Berkshire Cider Project will be hosting an upcoming Cidermaker’s Dinner at Hancock Shaker Village. This will celebrate the third vintage of estate-grown hard cider made from apples grown and fermented at the cidery in North Adams.
For more information about the Berkshire Cider Project: https://www.berkshire-cider.com/
— S. B.
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North Adams Farmers Market Receives $30,000 Grant
Great Barrington — Berkshire Agricultural Ventures has awarded a $30,000 grant to the North Adams Farmers Market, one of nine “Market Match” grants totaling $100,000 to markets across the region.
Grants from the Market Match Fund allow farmers markets to match Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits up to $30, giving SNAP recipients up to $60 to purchase fresh, local produce, meat, dairy, and prepared foods. The grants will help relieve food insecurity for low-income families while increasing sales for local farmers and food producers.
For more information on BAV’s low-interest loans, grants, and technical assistance, please contact us at info@berkshireagventures.org or (413) 645-3594.
— S. B.
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Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire Receive $25,000 Grant
Great Barrington — The Community Development Corporation of South Berkshire announces that it has received two grants from local banks, totaling $25,000.
Berkshire Bank approved a $20,000 grant to support the CDCSB in its work to create affordable housing and economic development opportunities. Salisbury Bank approved a $5,000 contribution as well.
The CDCSB has developed 140+ affordable housing units with 40+ additional units under construction with plans for community gardens and green spaces. The CDCSB’s SBTA program has helped more than 43 businesses launch, pivot, or stabilize, and helped secure nearly $1M in funding for these businesses.
— S. B.
