Berkshire Bank Announces Nearly $600k in Community Investments in Q1 2023

Pittsfield, MA – Berkshire Bank, a leading, socially responsible community bank with financial centers in New England and New York, announced its foundation provided $584,361 in philanthropic investments during the first quarter of 2023 (January 1- March 31) to foster upward economic mobility, racial equity, and enhance opportunities for success in the regions Berkshire 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.

In total, the Berkshire Bank Foundation assisted 120 nonprofit organizations during the quarter with grants to support a wide range of critical projects including small business entrepreneurship, housing, food insecurity, homelessness, educational advancement, youth, arts, culture, diversity, and inclusion. Ultimately, funding helped support the overall health and well-being of communities across New England and New York, particularly for underrepresented populations.

“We are proud to continue our strong support of the communities that Berkshire Bank serves. Beyond our financial contributions, we continue to amplify our impact though our XTEAM employee volunteer program, regularly assisting with projects to help those in need in our communities,” said Lori Gazzillo Kiely, Managing Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation. She continued, “We are pleased to make these contributions to support individuals, families, and small businesses within our markets.”

The grant recipients listed below are just a sample of the projects Berkshire Bank supported to strengthen organizations throughout Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont. They include:
Angel of Edgewood, Inc. (CT)
Berkshire Immigrant Center Inc (MA)
Berkshire Resources for the Integration of Diverse Groups and Education, Inc. (MA)
Berkshire Pride (MA)
Berkshire Agricultural Ventures (MA)
Blackshires Community Empowerment Foundation (MA)
Boys & Girls Club of Worcester (MA)
Capital District Women’s Employment & Resource Center, Inc. (known as WERC) (NY)
Community Access to the Arts (MA)
Community Catalyst, Inc. (MA)
Community Loan Fund of the Capital Region, Inc (NY)
CNY Jazz Central (NY)
Economic Mobility Pathways (MA)
Enfield Pride (CT)
Goodwill Industries of the Berkshires & Southern Vermont, Inc (VT)
Habitat for Humanity of Eastern Connecticut (CT)
Hillcrest Educational Centers, Inc.
Homeless and Travelers Aid Society (NY)
Literacy Volunteers of Greater Hartford (CT)
Make-A-Wish Foundation of Massachusetts and Rhode Island (MA & RI)
Make-It Springfield (MA)
Massachusetts Affordable Housing Alliance (MA)
Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition Inc (MA)
Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) (MA)
Rhode Island Community Food Bank (RI)
Saint Francis Hospital and Medical Center Foundation (CT)
Senior Citizens Center of Saratoga Springs Inc (NY)
Seven Hills Foundation (MA)
Soldier On, Inc. f/k/a United Veterans of America, Inc. (MA)
State University Of New York Polytechnic Institute Foundation (NY)
ToLife! Inc (NY)
The Arc Eastern Connecticut (CT)
The Stratton Mountain & Valley Community Benefit Foundation (VT)
UMass Medical School Foundation (MA)
Vermont Green-up Inc (VT)
Vermont Works for Women (VT)
Wildwood Foundation (NY)
Why Me, Inc (MA)