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Business Briefs: United Way seeks community investment proposals; Nonprofit awareness workshop; Stockbridge Cultural Council seeks grant proposals; Greylock introduces ChaChing app; BCC launches job search website

Workshop participants will learn how to use a multi-channel approach to increase awareness about an organization, be it for- or nonprofit, via the topics of marketing, advertising, publicity and outreach.

Berkshire United Way seeks proposals for community investment in economic prosperity

Pittsfield — Berkshire United Way is seeking proposals to address its economic prosperity goals including connecting residents to available work and advancing career opportunities through exposure to various employment opportunities. An online request for proposal is available.

Instructions for completing on-line eligibility as well as a complete list of eligibility requirements are included in the RFP. Organizations must be financially stable; located in and primarily serving residents of Berkshire County; structured as not-for-profits; governed by active, locally based, volunteer boards of directors; and deliver programs and outcomes that align with one or both of the strategies of Employment Match Maker (Family Sustaining Employment-Pathways) and Adult Work-Based Experiences (includes College Internships).

All applicants must confirm eligibility. After submitting the required eligibility documents to jsingley@berkshireunitedway.org, eligible applicants will receive email confirmation with instructions on completing the application and details on registering for the mandatory bidder’s conference Tuesday, Oct. 3. All applications are due by midnight Friday, Oct. 20. For technical assistance, contact Julie Singley at jsingley@berkshireunitedway.org no later than noon Friday, Oct. 6.

–E.E.

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Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires to present awareness workshop

Liana Toscanini. Photo courtesy Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires

Great Barrington — Liana Toscanini of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires will present the workshop “Getting the Word Out about Your Small Business or Nonprofit” on Tuesday, Sept. 19, from 8:30 to 10:30 a.m. at the Berkshire Community College South County Center.

Workshop participants will learn how to use a multi-channel approach to increase awareness about an organization, be it for- or nonprofit, via the topics of marketing, advertising, publicity and outreach.

Toscanini has been helping both non- and for-profit organizations get the word out in the Berkshires for 20 years. Once a small business owner and now a nonprofit founder, she brings has a history of community engagement as well as a corporate marketing background.

The cost is $25 for NPC members and $35 for non-members. For more information or to register, contact NPC at (413) 441-9542 or liana@npcberkshires.org.

–E.E.

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Stockbridge Cultural Council seeks funding proposals

Stockbridge — Stockbridge Cultural Council chair Karen Marshall has announced that SCC is accepting proposals for grants for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs from organizations, schools and individuals.

Applicants may apply for grants for programs that take place during an 18-month window of eligibility from July 1 through Dec. 31 of the following year. Applicants should submit their applications electronically. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applications must be received by Monday, Oct. 16. Members of the SCC will evaluate the proposals and, if approved for grants, grantees will expend their own money on their projects. Once the projects are complete, grantees will submit paperwork for reimbursement to SCC.

The exact amount of money available at this time is unknown due to the vetoing by Gov. Charlie Baker of part of the funding in the state budget. Local representatives in Boston are determining the feasibility of overriding the governor’s veto. In the 2017 fiscal year, SCC awarded 16 grants ranging from $60 to $500.

All applicants will be notified by email on or shortly after Monday, Jan. 15, 2018, if their applications were approved, approved for lesser amounts than requested, or denied. All funded programs must comply with the requirements defined by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For more information, contact Karen Marshall at (413) 298-7050.

–E.E.

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Greylock Federal Credit Union introduces ChaChing app

Pittsfield — Greylock Federal Credit Union has announced the introduction of its new ChaChing app. The free app works on iPhone and Android devices, alerting members to a variety of perks, benefits and discounts available at a range of merchants around Berkshire County. Using the GPS on members’ phones, ChaChing sends mobile alerts offering instant discounts whenever they are near participating merchants.

Said Greylock president and CEO John L. Bissell: “We are partnering with local and national retailers throughout Berkshire County that will be participating in the program. Greylock is happy to help the local economy by driving traffic to local businesses while giving our Members opportunities for discounts and benefits through ChaChing.”

–E.E.

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Berkshire Community College launches new job search website

Pittsfield — Berkshire Community College has announced that its Career Development Center has launched new career management software with the College Central network. BCC students past, present and future now have access to the latest resources and job opportunities at regional and national levels. Additionally, the tool will enhance communication among various BCC departments that routinely collaborate with employers in the community. The new website offers exclusive job postings targeting the BCC student and alumni populations as well as access to hundreds of career articles, podcasts and career advice documents. Students and community members can upload or build resumes on the site as well as register for career-related events around the area and receive alerts for their ideal jobs.

–E.E.

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