Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc is a private independent foundation and the philanthropic arm of Berkshire Bank, headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. Established in 1997, the foundation strengthens and improves quality of life in communities where Berkshire Bank operates by supporting nonprofit organizations across a five-state footprint. The foundation resulted from a 2009 merger of Berkshire Bank Foundation and Berkshire Bank Foundation - Pioneer Valley into Greater Berkshire Foundation, Inc., which was subsequently renamed Berkshire Bank Foundation, Inc. in December 2009.
Financial Overview
From 2024 IRS Form 990-PF · View filing
Total Assets
$17.1M
-8.4% YoY
Annual Giving
$2.0M
-20.6% YoY
Grant Count
478
-20.6% YoY
Avg Grant Size
$4K
+0.0% YoY
Under IRS private-foundation payout rules, Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M for 2024 — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
Mission & Focus Areas
The foundation supports organizations involved with:
- Arts and culture
- Environmental education
- Employment and workforce development
- Housing and affordable housing
- Mentoring
- Human services
- Immigrant advocacy
- Military and veterans support
- Programs serving economically disadvantaged people
Special emphasis is directed toward programs designed to promote education and community economic development, including financial literacy, job readiness, small business support, and neighborhood revitalization.
Grantmaking
The foundation does not support:
Grant Range
$100 to $100,000, with typical grants between $100-$10,000
How to Apply
**
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Geographic Focus
Where this funder awards grants
The foundation operates across a five-state footprint:
- Massachusetts (61% of grants)
- New York
- Connecticut
- Rhode Island
- Vermont
Grants are distributed within counties served by Berkshire Bank's operations.
Grant Distribution by State
States
Cities
Financial History
Multi-year comparison from IRS filings
As of 2023:
- Total assets: $18.6 million
- Total revenues: $2.01 million
- Total expenses: $3.3 million
- Total liabilities: $637,000
As of 2024:
- Total assets: $17.1 million to $21.9 million (varying reports)
- Total giving: $1.7 million to $3.4 million (varying reports)
Investment Income: The foundation generates revenue through investment income and dividends.
| Metric | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Assets | $17,076,020 | $18,644,149 | $19,742,211 |
| Revenue | $1,005,693 | $2,013,457 | $1,247,630 |
| Expenses | $2,258,440 | $3,296,244 | $3,375,653 |
| Qualifying Distributions | $2,139,631 | $2,998,033 | $3,359,878 |
| Net Investment Income | $899,384 | $1,901,946 | $1,120,724 |
| Distributable Amount | $1,002,510 | $1,018,036 | $1,184,045 |
Giving Over Time
Total grant dollars and number of grants per year
Grant Insights
How this funder distributes its grants
Top Recipients
Top 10 recipients in 2024
Grant Size Distribution
152 grants across all recorded years
Giving History
Grant recipients and amounts by year
Among its reported 2024 grants, the largest include Berkshire Family Ymca Inc ($25,000), Barrington Stage Company Inc ($20,000), Berkshire Black Economic Council Inc ($15,000).
| Recipient | Purpose | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 18 DEGREES PITTSFIELD, MA | ECONOMIC MOBILITY PATHWAYS (EMPATH) | $2,500 |
| 1BERKSHIRE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOUNDATION PITTSFIELD, MA | BLACKSHIRES LEADERSHIP ACCELERATOR PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| 1BERKSHIRE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOUNDATION PITTSFIELD, MA | BLACKSHIRES GRADUATION EVENT | $1,500 |
| 1BERKSHIRE STRATEGIC ALLIANCE FOUNDATION PITTSFIELD, MA | CELEBRATE THE BERKSHIRES AND YOUTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM | $13,000 |
| 518 ELEVATED INC PITTSFIELD, MA | BUSINESS PARTNERSHIP SUPPORTING THE PATHWAYS TO COLLEGE PROGRAM | $2,500 |
| ACADEMY OF THE HOLY NAMES PITTSFIELD, MA | PARTNERS IN EDUCATION PROGRAM | $10,000 |
| ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC RIM CHARTER SCHOOL PITTSFIELD, MA | ACADEMY OF THE PACIFIC RIM'S TRANSFORMATION DINNER | $5,000 |
| ADAPTX INC PITTSFIELD, MA | 2024 UNIFIED 5K | $1,000 |
| AFFORDABLE HOUSING PARTNERSHIP INC PITTSFIELD, MA | HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING PROGRAM | $1,000 |
| AIDS PROJECT WORCESTER INC PITTSFIELD, MA | PRIDE WORCESTER | $2,000 |
Leadership & Key People
Leadership team and compensation from IRS filings
- Sean A Gray – Chairman
- Thomas R Barney – Vice-Chair
- Michael King – Treasurer
- Lorelei Kiely – Secretary (40 hours/week, $218,000 compensation)
- Donna Evan – Trustee
- Erin Boggan – Trustee
- Laurie Norton Moffatt – Trustee
- Angela Dixon – Trustee
- Lori Kiely – Managing Director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation
Compensation Overview
From 2024 IRS filing
From 2024 filing
| Name | Title | Hours | Compensation |
|---|---|---|---|
| DONNA EVAN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| JOHN LAFLEUR | TREASURER | — | — |
| LORELEI KIELY | SECRETARY | 40 | $249,710 |
| SEAN A GRAY | CHAIRMAN | — | — |
| ERIN BOGGAN | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| LAURIE NORTON MOFFATT | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| GARY LEVANTE | TRUSTEE | — | — |
| THOMAS R BARNEY | VICE-CHAIR | — | — |
Recent News & Activity
Recent developments and announcements
**2024:**
Invested more than $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits across its five-state footprint
Berkshire Bank Foundation grants $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits inIn Q3 2024, invested more than $350,000 in 100 nonprofit organizations across Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont
Nearly $400,000 Invested in Local Nonprofits by Berkshire Bank FoundationIn Q2 2024, provided nearly $400,000 in grants and giving
Berkshire Bank Foundation grants $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits in**2023:**
Distributed nearly $2.5 million to over 500 organizations
Berkshire Bank Foundation grants $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits inAnnounced nearly $2.5 million in total philanthropy for the year
Berkshire Bank Foundation grants $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits in**Distribution by Sector (Recent Years):**
Social & Human Services: approximately 28% of giving
Community Development: approximately 17% of giving
Education: approximately 16% of giving
Subject Areas
Focus areas based on grantmaking activity
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc fund?
The foundation supports organizations involved with: • Arts and culture • Environmental education • Employment and workforce development • Housing and affordable housing • Mentoring • Human services • Immigrant advocacy • Military and veterans support • Programs serving economically disadvantaged people Special emphasis is directed toward programs designed to promote education and community economic development, including financial literacy, job readiness, small business support, and neighborho…
How do I apply for a grant from Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc?
**Grant Activity:** • Annual giving: $2.5 million+ (2023); $1.7 million to nearly 400 nonprofits (2024) • Number of grants: 500-600 annually • Grant range: $100 to $100,000, with typical grants between $100-$10,000 • Median grant: $2,500 • Maximum grant observed: $50,000 **Recent Grant Examples:** • $50,000 to Berkshire Family YMCA Support Corporation • $33,333 to Common Capital (multi-year grant) • $25,000 to Norman Rockwell Museum at Stockbridge • $30,000 to Green Path Financial Wellness • $1…
Where does Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc make grants?
The foundation operates across a five-state footprint: • Massachusetts (61% of grants) • New York • Connecticut • Rhode Island • Vermont Grants are distributed within counties served by Berkshire Bank's operations.
What size grants does Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc award?
In 2024, Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc awarded 478 grants totaling $2.0M — an average of about $4K per grant, based on its IRS Form 990 filings.
How much is Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc required to give away each year?
Private foundations must generally distribute about 5% of their assets annually. For 2024, Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc reported a distributable amount of $1.0M on its IRS Form 990-PF — the minimum it must pay out in qualifying distributions.
What is Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc's EIN?
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc's EIN (Employer Identification Number) is 04-3365869. IRS Form 990 filing data is available on this page for 2020–2024.
Explore Open Grants
Browse active grant opportunities in Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc's focus areas in our free grants database
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Data last updated June 2026. Sourced from IRS Form 990-PF filings. Research dossier generated April 2026.
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