Berkshire Bank’s Foundation Announces Over $563,000 in Contributions to Support 103 Nonprofit Organi

Berkshire Bank’s Foundation Announces Over $563,000 in Contributions to Support 103 Nonprofit Organizations

 

Pittsfield, MA - Fri., April 15, 2022 – Berkshire Bank, a leading socially responsible community-dedicated bank with branch locations in New England and New York, announced over $563,000 in philanthropic investments from its Foundation during the first quarter of 2022 (January 1- March 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.
 
Over one hundred regional nonprofit organizations received grants during the first quarter of 2022 to assist with a wide range of critical projects in the areas of housing, health, wellness, education, economic revitalization, small business, community building, and workforce readiness. The Berkshire Bank Foundation is committed to supporting programs that work towards providing equitable opportunity for economic prosperity.
 
“We are proud to help so many organizations, which provide vital services to the communities that Berkshire Bank serves,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation “As we have all faced a very challenging couple of years, we are pleased to play a small role to support individuals, families, and small businesses with these grants.”
 
The grant recipients listed below are just a sample of the projects that Berkshire Bank has supported to strengthen organizations within its regions:
 

  • Always Home, Inc’s homeless prevention shelter for low-income families with minors (CT)
  • Budget Buddies, Inc’s financial empowerment program for women with low income (MA)
  • Dress for Success in Hartford (CT) & Western Massachusetts (MA)
  • English for New Bostonians’ allies for immigrants’ program (MA)
  • Equinox, Inc’s transitional living program for homeless youth (NY)
  • Glens Falls Area Youth Center’s health and wellness program (NY)
  • Goodwin University, Inc’s entrepreneurial network program (CT)
  • Goodwill Industries of Berkshire & Southern Vermont, Inc employment training through technology program (MA)
  • Hartford Area Habitat for Humanity, Inc (CT)
  • Josephs House and Shelter’s emergency shelter services (NY)
  • Norman Rockwell Museum’s perceptions of race in illustration multi-year project (MA)
  • Seven Hills Foundation’s workforce readiness and employment program (MA)
  • Southern Vermont Arts Center, Inc’s youth arts and education program (VT)
  • State University of New York Polytechnic Institute Foundation’s pantry and student emergency fund (MA)
  • Stratton Community Foundation (VT)
  • The ARC Eastern Connecticut program for inclusion for people living with disability (CT)
  • The Downtown Pittsfield Cultural Association’s small business growth and entrepreneurship program (MA)
  • The College of Saint Rose’s student emergency loan fund (NY)
  • The Mahaiwe Performing Arts Center education and community engagement (MA)
  • United Way of Central Massachusetts women’s initiative scholar program (MA)
  • Waterfire Providence’s revitalization of the urban experience (RI)
  • YMCA of Greater Springfield ‘s achieve program (MA)

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

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About Berkshire Bank
Berkshire Bank is transforming what it means to bank its neighbors socially, humanly, and digitally to empower the financial potential of people, families, and businesses in its communities as it pursues its vision of being the leading socially responsible omni-channel community bank in the markets it serves.
 
Berkshire provides business and consumer banking, mortgage, wealth management and investment services. The Bank has approximately $11.6 billion in assets and operates 105 branch offices in New England and New York. Headquartered in Boston, Berkshire Hills Bancorp (NYSE: BHLB) is the parent of Berkshire Bank and is a member of the  Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index. To learn more, call 800-773-5601 or follow us on FacebookTwitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn
 
Contact:
Alicia Jacobs, AVP, Public Relations Officer,
[email protected]