BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant

The BTCF: Simple Gifts Fund Grant supports young artists aged 13-19 in the Berkshire Taconic region, providing financial assistance for summer enrichment programs in the arts. Established in 1998 in memory of folk singer Bill Crofut, the fund aims to empower youth through small grants that can cover costs for tuition, art supplies, or living expenses. The grant fosters creativity and personal growth, ensuring that young individuals have opportunities to pursue their passions.

We are a public charity improving our region by encouraging philanthropy, pooling and investing resources, addressing urgent needs, and supporting individuals and nonprofits through grants and scholarships.
We provide a variety of giving options, investment management and back-office strength to help make giving easy and grantmaking transformative.
Bill Crofut was a folk singer who brought his talent into the world of international exchange with music. He had an unusual career and an unusual life, traveling and sharing his passion for music with others.
In the last months of his life he made an extraordinary CD, “Dancing on a Moonbeam.” It is his gift of music to raise money for the Simple Gifts Fund at the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation. This final work fulfills a vision of Bill’s life – to make a recording with some of the many artists he worked with during a long and illustrious career and give the proceeds to aspiring young people.
Bill had deep understanding and empathy for the dreams and aspirations of young people. He wanted to do something that could help them achieve their goals. He knew that even small amounts of money could help someone to purchase an instrument, study dance and participate in a summer program. He loved to foster those small steps to further great passions.
The Simple Gifts Fund was established at Berkshire Taconic in 1998.
AWARDS
Generally the awards will be from $200 to $800. Payments will be made directly to the organization or vendor.
ELIGIBILITY
It is up to you, the applicant, to make the case that the program you want to participate in will offer you an opportunity to explore new ventures. For example, you might request funds to do an artistic apprenticeship, internship with a dance or theater company, learn a musical instrument, or experiment in a new art form.
Your request might be for the cost of tuition, art supplies, or travel/living expenses: these grants are intended to make it possible for you to participate in a program that will have significance to you in some way.

Eligibility

Young people ages 13 to 19 who are residents of the Berkshire Taconic region, interested in participating in summer enrichment programs that foster their interest in the arts. Only individuals are eligible to apply.The region served by the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation consists of Berkshire, Columbia, northeast Dutchess* and northwest Litchfield** counties.

• refers to Amenia, Dover, Northeast (Millerton), Pine Plains, Stanford and Washington (Millbrook).

** refers to Canaan, Cornwall, Goshen, Kent, Norfolk, North Canaan, Salisbury, Sharon, and Warren, Conn.

Ineligibility

Programs in foreign countries not considered.The fund does not support requests for equipment or sports programs.