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Berkshire Bank’s Foundation Announces Nearly $600,000 To Support 87 Nonprofit Organizations

Berkshire Bank’s Foundation Announces Nearly $600,000 To Support 87 Nonprofit Organizations

Pittsfield, MA - Thurs., Mar. 3, 2022 –Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community-dedicated bank with branch locations in New England and New York, announced $596,800 in philanthropic investments from its Foundation during the fourth quarter of 2021 (October 1 – December 31). The grants awarded cover a wide range of projects that help foster upward economic mobility, support overall well-being, and enhance opportunities for individual success in the communities the Bank serves. The investments also support the Company’s BEST Community Comeback which includes a planned $15 million in community contributions by the end of 2024.

Eighty-seven (87) local nonprofit organizations received grants at the end of last year to assist with a wide range of critical projects in the areas of housing, education, economic revitalization, and health. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work towards providing equitable opportunity for economic prosperity.

“Being a dependable community partner to financially empower communities is an important part of the culture and fabric at Berkshire Bank,” stated Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. “We are proud to help so many organizations, which provide vital services to the communities that Berkshire Bank serves.”

The grant recipients listed below are just a sample of the projects that Berkshire Bank has supported to strengthen organizations within its regions:

  • Albany Housing Coalition’s Affordable Permanent Housing Case Management for Homeless Veterans (NY)
  • American Heart Association’s Heart Walk (MA)
  • Asian American Civic Association Business Training and Mentorship Program (MA)
  • Bennington Area Habitat for Humanity (VT)
  • Berkshire Homeless Shelter with ServiceNet, Inc. (MA)
  • Boston Police Activities League, Inc -PAL Life Skills (MA)
  • E for All Rhode Island: Addressing Racial Income Disparities Inclusive Entrepreneurship Training (RI)
  • Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC) Connecticut and Equitable Community Revitalization (CT)
  • Main South Minority Business Economic Empowerment Project (MA)
  • Neighbors Helping Neighbors, Inc. (MA)
  • New Urban Arts’s Youth Mentorship in the Arts (RI)
  • NPC’s Inclusive Leadership Program (MA)
  • Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York’s 37th Annual Holiday Hunger Appeal (NY)
  • Rhode Island Community Food Bank’s Hunger Relief for Low-Income Individuals and Families (RI)
  • Sociedad Latina’s Academy of Latinos Achieving Success (MA)
  • Thames Valley Council for Community Action, Inc- Homeless Prevention/Diversion Financial Assistance Program (CT)
  • The Massachusetts LGBT Business Network, Inc. (MA)
  • The Major’s Office of Financial Empowerment (OFE) Boston Saves Family Champions (MA)
  • The Reading League, Inc- Reading Buddies Parent Outreach Program (NY)

Since the onset of the pandemic, there is a tremendous need to support many organizations facing financial challenges and staffing shortages. “Berkshire Bank’s consistent support for our core programs such as the Giving Back guide, Berkshire Nonprofit Awards, and volunteer fairs has enabled the NPC to grow our impact substantially, providing infrastructure and support to hundreds of Berkshire nonprofits,” says Liana Toscanini, executive director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires.

Additional details on the Foundation’s grant programs and focus areas can be found at berkshirebank.com/foundation.


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