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.
Stay current with BBEC news & events by subscribing to our List Serve here.
