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The Adams Cheshire Educational Partnership (ACE) is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District (ACRSD). ACE wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education in the Adams-Cheshire Regional School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $500 to $2,000.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Alice and Richard Henriquez Memorial Fund was formed in 1995 to “encourage the development of peace among nations and justice for all people by funding international experiences for young men and women in their intellectually formative years.” Mr. Henriquez believed that “an understanding of other people and their cultures, as well as sensitivity to the destabilizing effect of social and economic injustice is what young men and women will need if they are to effectively contribute to a peaceful and just world in their adult lives.”
Who Can Apply:
Students ages 14-22 who are residents of Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess or northwest Litchfield counties who plan to travel internationally to work and live in a community and help promote international peace and justice.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $500 to $1,500 for individuals. Larger amounts are considered for groups.
Apply by October 15, 2024
Artist’s Resource Trust was established in 1996 to provide support to the creative work of mid-career visual artists who have demonstrated substantial commitment, development and quality in their work. A mid-career artist is defined as an artist who has been actively creating work and exhibiting it for at least 10 years. This artist has established a reputation in the art world, exhibits regionally and has built up a large body of work. They may have also participated in prestigious exhibitions and earned various awards or grants. A.R.T’s focus is on visual artists who live in New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and in the towns in NY that are part of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s catchment area as of 2015.
Who Can Apply:
Individual mid-career visual artists living in New England, or Columbia or Northeast Dutchess Counties, NY.
Awards:
Grants awarded generally range from $1,000 to $10,000. They can be applied toward any expense that may enhance the artist’s ability to create his/her work. Awards are counted as income and artists are responsible for all applicable taxes. Berkshire Taconic will file a 1099 with the Internal Revenue Service in December recording each award.
Apply by October 15, 2024
Artist’s Resource Trust was established in 1996 to provide support to the creative work of mid-career visual artists who have demonstrated substantial commitment, development and quality in their work. A mid-career artist is defined as an artist who has been actively creating work and exhibiting it for at least 10 years. This artist has established a reputation in the art world, exhibits regionally and has built up a large body of work. They may have also participated in prestigious exhibitions and earned various awards or grants. A.R.T’s focus is on visual artists who live in New England (CT, ME, MA, NH, RI, VT) and in the towns in NY that are part of Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation’s catchment area as of 2015.
Who Can Apply:
Nonprofit organizations to purchase, exhibit or commission work by mid-career New England, or Columbia or Northeast Dutchess Counties, NY visual artists.
Awards:
Grants awarded generally range from $1,500 to $7,000 and should be matched 1:1 with cash.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Berkshire Hills Fund for Excellence (BHFE) is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Berkshire Hills Regional School District (BHRSD). BHFE wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education in the Berkshire Hills Regional School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $3,000. Larger awards may be considered if funds are available
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Eagle Fund was created in 1998 by the community to help promote excellence in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District through grants to students, teachers, administrators, and members of the community. The fund is not intended to be a substitute for the public funding of the district’s core curriculum. Rather, the fund is intended to make possible exceptional educational opportunities that are designed to take students far beyond the basics and that will distinguish the district in the quality of its educational offerings. The fund also provides a special bridge between the district and the members of the communities it serves. It is intended to foster pride in the district and to generate the excitement and enthusiasm that comes from knowing that through innovative thinking, good ideas, and thoughtful experimentation, dreams can be realized.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education in the Southern Berkshire Regional School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $250 to $5,000. Because the fund expects many worthy projects to be competing for limited funding, it asks that all applicants make a special effort to ask only for that amount actually required and to be diligent in searching for matching funds through in-kind or other cash donations.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Farmington River School District has launched a fund called the Farmington River Initiative for Regional Excellence (FIRE). It is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Farmington River School District. FIRE wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Farmington River School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as FIRE builds its endowment.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Gateway Fund is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the North Adams Public Schools (NAPS). Gateway wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education in the North Adams Public Schools.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range up to $1,000.
Apply by October 15, 2024
Janet’s Fund provides financial resources and goodwill to support creative activities for Mount Everett students. Grants from the fund will enhance and support Mount Everett’s capacity to be a school of excellence and a school that has the capacity to reach those with superior talents, as well as those who are challenged physically, emotionally or mentally. Grants will also help Mount Everett meet the geographic challenges of being one of the largest districts in the Commonwealth, spread across a large, rural landscape.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education at Mount Everett Regional High School.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $250 to $5,000. Because the fund expects many worthy projects to be competing for limited funding, it asks that all applicants make a special effort to ask only for that amount actually required and to be diligent in searching for matching funds through in-kind or other cash donations.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Lanesborough Initiative For Excellence (LIFE) is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Lanesborough School District. LIFE wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that enhance the educational experience of students and teachers in the Lanesborough School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as LIFE builds its endowment.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Lee Fund for Educational Enrichment is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers of the Lee Public Schools. Lee Fund for Educational Enrichment wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that enhance the educational experience of students and teachers in the Lee-Tyringham School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as the endowment builds.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Lee Fund for Educational Enrichment is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers of the Lee Public Schools. Lee Fund for Educational Enrichment wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that enhance the educational experience of students and teachers in the Lenox Public Schools.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as LEEF builds its endowment. Grantees may reapply for funding bearing in mind that continued funding is not guaranteed and that no one project will be funded for more than three years.
Apply by October 15, 2024
School Center, Inc. operated for many years to raise funds for and support projects that benefited Monument Mountain Regional High School. In 2021, as the organization ceased operation and its assets were used to establish an endowment that will carry out the mission of School Center, Inc. in perpetuity.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, staff, administrators of Monument Mountain Regional High School for programs, projects and initiatives that enrich and expand the educational offerings provided by Monument Mountain Regional High School.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from up to $3,000. Larger awards may be considered if funds are available. Projects are competing for limited funding. Applicants are encouraged to seek support from other sources.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Pauline Young Music Fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is an endowed fund whose purpose is to provide opportunities to study and appreciate music to students in the North Adams Public Schools (NAPS).
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators, parents, nonprofits and members of the community for projects that provide opportunities for students in the North Adams Public Schools to study and appreciate music.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $200 to $2,000 for the first several years as the fund builds its endowment.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Pittsfield School District has launched an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers of the Pittsfield School District. The fund seeks to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that sustain excellence in education in the Pittsfield Public Schools.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $500 to $1,000. For larger awards, see website.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Richmond Educational Enrichment Fund (REEF) is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Richmond Consolidated School (RCS). REEF wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators and community members for projects that enhance and enrich the educational experience in the Richmond Consolidated School.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as REEF builds its endowment.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Seven Towns’ Education Partnership Fund (STEP) is an endowed fund whose purpose is to enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Central Berkshire Regional School District (CBRSD). The fund wants to ensure the highest level of achievement for the students and enhance their capacity to achieve excellence both in school and in the community.
Who Can Apply:
Students, school personnel and community members for projects that enhance and enrich the educational experience of the students and teachers in the Central Berkshire Regional School District.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $1,000 for the first several years as the fund builds its endowment.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Sustaining Educational Excellence (SEE) Fund is an endowment fund whose mission is to sustain educational excellence by providing financial support for superior educational initiatives at Mount Greylock Regional School. The fund seeks to support the school’s efforts to: Provide students with challenging, engaging curriculum, Enhance the love of learning, Promote responsible citizenship, Stimulate intellectual and creative endeavors.
Who Can Apply:
Students, school personnel and community members for projects that support educational improvements and innovations that strengthen the students’ learning experience at Mount Greylock Regional School.
Awards:
Grants awarded will generally range from $100 to $2,500 although requests for larger amounts will be considered. Grants may be contingent on matching funds from other sources if this will help the proposed initiative succeed. Multiple year funding will be considered, where appropriate.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Williamstown Elementary School Endowment (WESE) Fund, established in 1997, is an endowed fund of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation (BTCF), designed to support initiatives and activities that enrich the educational experience for students and teachers at the Williamstown Elementary School (WES). The Fund is not intended to be a substitute for public funding of WES’s core curriculum. Rather, the Fund is intended to make possible exceptional educational opportunities designed to take students beyond the basics.
Who Can Apply:
Students, teachers, administrators, parents, nonprofits and members of the community.
Awards:
Grants generally range from $250 to $2,500. Occasionally more depending on the project.
Apply by October 15, 2024
The Elks National Foundation Scholarship Program awards 500 scholarships to high school seniors, ranging from $1,000 to $7,500 annually. The organization will consider financial need, grades and leadership skills when selecting winners.
Eligibility:
Apply by Nov. 12, 2024
While many of the above-mentioned scholarships have high standards and strict application requirements, the Unigo $10K Scholarship is much easier to apply for. Students must write a 250-word essay answering the question, “Would you rather be smart, funny or rich?”
Only legal U.S. residents can apply, but there are no GPA requirements.
Apply by Dec. 31, 2024
National Washington Crossing Foundation’s Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the annual National Washington Crossing Foundation Scholarship Awards for students completing twelfth grade (or final high school year) in 2025 who are planning careers in government service.
Eligibility:
Apply by Jan. 15, 2025
Provides scholarships to high school seniors attending a four-year college.
In addition to demonstrating financial need:
Apply by March 1, 2025
Apply by March 1, 2025
The Equity Initiative Fund is dedicated to supporting BIPOC-owned, BIPOC-centering, or BIPOC-led organizations. Cultural Workers, leaders, artists and entrepreneurs may also apply as individuals for micro grants. This grant opportunity is one component of BTCF’s Equity Initiative.
Who Can Apply:
Nonprofits, community groups or coalitions with fiscal sponsorship, within the Berkshire Taconic region (Columbia and Northeast Dutchess Counties, N.Y., Berkshire County, MA, and the Northwest Corner of Litchfield County, Conn.,) may be eligible to receive funding on a case by case basis; Micro grants for cultural workers, leaders, artists, entrepreneurs will require a W9. Priority will be given to Black, Indigenous, and other communities of color-led initiatives for the Equity Fund; Leadership Development and Community Engagement programs should demonstrate inclusivity and potential for impact.
Awards:
The average for BTCF Grants is $10K; Equity Fund Requests Exceeding $10K will be considered by the Leadership Advisory Committee.
Rolling Deadline
The New World Fund was established in memory of Gerald Dickler, father of the founder, whose immigrant parents struggled most of their lives to provide for their children’s welfare and education. The fund will operate without prejudice and with their principles of selflessness in mind.
Who Can Apply:
Nonprofit organizations providing services to recent immigrants to the Berkshires.
Awards:
The New World Fund was established to give support and encouragement to recent immigrants to the Berkshires (and to programs designed to help them) through small grants usually in the $100 to $500 range that will ease the transition into their new lives.
Rolling Deadline
Neighbor-to-Neighbor provides emergency funding through partner agencies for individuals and families in economic distress throughout the Berkshire Taconic region. Neighbor-to-Neighbor makes small grants to help those with overdue utilities, medical bills, short-term housing costs and transportation problems. Checks are written to the vendor (landlord, utility company, pharmacy or mechanic) on behalf of the community member in need. The funds are not intended for long-term or ongoing assistance, but for strategic intervention to help achieve a measure of stability and avert further crises.
Who Can Apply:
Individuals and families in economic distress may apply through a local social service agency. See list of agencies below.
Awards:
Awards are up to $1,000. If a grant is awarded, the payment is sent directly to the agency not the individual.
Rolling Deadline
More like a lottery drawing than a traditional scholarship. There are two types of drawings: one for $500 and one for $40,000. The scholarship incentivizes students to start the college application process and complete the steps necessary to get accepted and find enough financial aid.
To apply, you must finish each step by the respective deadline. Not only will completing the tasks render you eligible for the scholarship drawing, but they will also help you apply to college and qualify for more financial aid. There is no minimum GPA or test score requirement to be eligible, and there is no essay component.
Applying for Berkshire Community College (BCC) Foundation Scholarships is a simple, online process. You complete one general application and the system automatically recommends scholarships based on answers entered into an application form. There are steps to help guide you through the scholarship application process on their website.
Possibly closed for the 2024/2025 school year.
The YMCA welcomes all who wish to participate and believes that no one should be denied access to the Y based on their ability to pay. Through The John Roger’s Memorial Scholarship program, the YMCA provides assistance to youth, adults and families based on individual needs and circumstances.
Policy:
Filling out scholarship applications can be tedious. Many scholarship awards want students to meet certain college GPA requirements, submit letters of recommendation, and write a thoughtful essay. Needless to say, jumping through all these hoops to earn scholarship dough gets old fast.
Enter: No essay scholarships, an “easy scholarship” that doesn’t require students to write a mind-numbingly boring essay. You just fill in your basic information and boom — you’re done in like five minutes.
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