Foundations

We have been fortunate to receive continuing generous support from several local foundations.

The Alice Shaver Foundation provides grants for charitable, scientific and educational purposes. The grants generally benefit organizations that serve the elderly, the very young or the disadvantaged, and which involve a significant investment of time by their staff and volunteers.

The Berkshire Bank Foundations are guided by the values of the financial institutions that created them, a strong commitment to community, to leadership, and to preserving the character of our communities while fostering change that will keep communities strong and vital. The Foundations share a vision of healthy, vibrant, sustainable communities where educational and economic opportunity abound.

The Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is the community foundation serving Berkshire County, MA Columbia County and northeast Duchess County, NY, and northwest Litchfield County, Ct. Among its many activities, the Foundation identifies and developments resources to address community issues, including the creation of a regional entity to increase housing options for working families.

The Legacy Banks Foundation was created to formalize the process of sponsoring the vital work of non-profit organizations throughout the community. Established in 2005, the Foundation is committed to continuing the philanthropic tradition of Legacy Banks and its associates who have generously contributed their time, talent and treasure for the betterment of the communities in which they have worked and lived for well over a century. Focusing in five major areas – affordable housing; economic development; education; health and human services; and arts & culture, The Foundation has distributed more than $600,000 since its inception.

The Makepeace Foundation is administered by the First Congregational Church of Williamstown. Both the Foundation and the Church are long time supporters of Northern Berkshire Habitat, and Church members have been personally involved in our work. The Makepeace Bequest calls for support of specific projects that meet human needs and alleviate suffering.