Flying Cloud Institute receives funding from the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation
GREAT BARRINGTON — Flying Cloud Institute recently announced it received funding from the Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation to support its programs in Pittsfield and Community Learning in the Berkshires or “CLuB.”
Pittsfield programming support includes funding a virtual Girls Science Club, with guest scientists to inspire the next generation of innovators. The Club was recently visited by Carrieanne Petrik, a geologist and the Municipal Vulnerability Preparedness (MVP) Berkshires and Hilltowns regional coordinator. Petrik is working with communities to find strategies to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Girls learned how rural towns, with dirt and gravel roads, reduced access to medical treatment, lack of emergency shelters, and aging populations, are more vulnerable to our changing planet.
Funding also supports CLuB, a coalition of nonprofit organizations including Flying Cloud, Greenagers, Berkshire South Regional Community Center, and Volunteers in Medicine, offering remote learning sites for academic support and cultural enrichment during the pandemic. CLuB serves students from Kindergarten through 8th grade in the Berkshire Hills and Southern Berkshire Regional School Districts, at two locations in southern Berkshire County.
The Josephine and Louise Crane Foundation is a fourth-generation private family foundation established in 1956, which supports nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts.
—A.K.
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Free last-minute tax prep available in Pittsfield
PITTSFIELD — Central Berkshire Habitat for Humanity is offering free tax preparation at its main office, located at 314 Columbus Ave. in Pittsfield. The tax deadline has been extended and the Habitat site is accepting tax documents until May 10, 2021. Drop off your documents at this no-contact site and a certified volunteer will prepare your tax return. No appointment necessary; stop by Monday, Wednesday, or Thursday from 8 a.m.–7 p.m. or Saturday from 10 a.m.– 2 p.m.
This service is courtesy of the IRS’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. The VITA program provides free basic income tax return preparation to qualified individuals, with basic returns, making $57,000 or less per year. Visit the Habitat website or call 413-442-3184 for information and a list of documents to drop off.
—A.K.
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Incoming funds help CHP assist residents facing economic challenges
GREAT BARRINGTON — A series of new grants is allowing CHP Family Services to offer more help to area residents facing financial challenges, including troubles caused by COVID-19.
Awards from Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), the Women’s Fund of Western Massachusetts, the Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and the Gilson Family Foundation will help CHP answer a range of client needs.
“Even before COVID, the economic challenges facing some of our area families were quite tough, and [the pandemic] has only made life harder for many who have lost jobs, fallen behind on rent, or had trouble keeping the refrigerator stocked,” said Michelle Derr, director of CHP Family Services.
Funding includes a $40,000 cash award from BTCF (through the state’s Community Foundations Grant Program for COVID-19 Relief). This money will help CHP clientele with rent, utilities, food access, emergency childcare, technology needs for work and school, transportation, and other expenses. A $10,000 grant from the Women’s Fund will support Family Services outreach to women and girls in need of assistance and support. A grant of nearly $2,000 from the Food Bank will pay for a new freezer for Family Services, which collects food donations and distributes hundreds of bags of groceries each month. A $10,000 gift from the Gilson Family Foundation will also support CHP’s response to food insecurity.
—A.K.
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Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires programs address priorities
GREAT BARRINGTON — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) is hosting several events for nonprofits addressing priorities brought about by the pandemic.
The Massachusetts Nonprofit Network’s (MNN) regional meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, March 31 from 10–11:30 a.m., via Zoom. The event is free and open to all Berkshire nonprofits. The theme of the 2021 meetings is “Stronger Together: Regional Dialogues.” They will cover policy updates of importance to the sector, new and expanded MNN services and programs, regional nonprofit data, guided conversations by regional leaders, and time for moderated virtual networking.
On Tuesday, April 6, consultant Andrea Sholler will offer one-hour consultations on staff and board development. NPC’s Office Hours events give nonprofits the opportunity to meet with professionals at an affordable price. Also in April, NPC will offer a four-part series, How to Build the Right Board for Organizational Growth, facilitated by nonprofit growth strategist Vicki Burkhart. The 75-minute sessions run from 9:30–10:45 a.m. every other week through May 27.
Stress Management: Time Out for Me, led by Christine Singer, will run from 9–11 a.m. on April 22. Introduction to Grants and Grant Writing, taught by Diane Gedeon-Martin, will be offered on April 28 from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.
—A.K.
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Transition in Jewish Federation Leadership
PITTSFIELD — Jewish Federation of the Berkshires President Amy Lindner-Lesser recently announced she will be stepping down as president effective April 1. Lindner-Lesser said she recently sold the Rookwood Inn, and will now retire and move closer to her children, but will visit the region often.
Federation Vice President Elisa Schindler Frankel will become President. Schindler Frankel has served in senior development positions with HUC-JIR School of Education, the Skirball Center for Adult Jewish Learning (Temple Emanu-El Streicker Center), and the Jewish National Fund (JNF). Prior to joining JNF, she spent 25 years as an executive in brand marketing and merchandising.
A member of Hevreh of Southern Berkshire, Schindler Frankel has been active in the Federation for five years as a member of the Executive, Allocations, Development, and Nominating Committees. She and her husband Larry have also served as Super Sunday, Community Campaign, and Major Gifts co-chairs. In her role as Secretary of the Jewish Women’s Foundation of the Berkshires, she sits on the Governance, Grant, Publicity/Marketing, and Nominating Committees.
Lindner-Lesser thanked the Federation’s donors, board, and staff for their support and said she is grateful for having had the chance to be a part of “such a warm and welcoming Jewish community which helped me find my spiritual home and voice.”
—A.K.
