Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc, and Berkshire Bank Foundation ‘Legacy Region have announced they awarded $682,496.00 in grants from January 1, 2012 to June 30, 2012 to nonprofit organizations in Berkshire County and the Pioneer Valley in Massachusetts, New York State, and Southern Vermont.
While Berkshire Bank Foundation’s priorities are education and community/economic development projects, it also donated to youth, cultural and human service organizations. A complete list of all the 177 Berkshire Bank Foundation supported organizations in 2012 can be found by visiting www.berkshirebank.com/foundation.
Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director of Berkshire Bank Foundation, Inc. and Berkshire Bank Foundation ‘Legacy Region, stated ‘We are so pleased to support these many nonprofit organizations doing important work in all of the communities that Berkshire Bank serves. As a community partner, we seek to improve lives of people and communities to help both grow stronger through our financial support and volunteer efforts.’
In addition to monetary giving, the Foundation oversees the bank’s large Employee Volunteer Program that carries out group community service projects benefiting schools, non-profit organizations and communities within the bank’s service area. In 2011, Berkshire Bank employees completed 67 volunteer projects in which over 50% of Berkshire’s employees participated donating over 26,000 hours of service through both company-sponsored and individual volunteer efforts to help their local communities. The American Bankers Association honored Berkshire Bank with National Recognition through their Community Bank Awards program in early 2012. Currently, the Foundation is also holding their Summer of Excitement $25,000 Giveaway promotion, which runs through August 31st. Through the promotion the foundation will award $25,000 in grant funds to non-profit organizations decided on by the community. To vote, individuals are encouraged to visit www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank.
Background
Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc. and Berkshire Bank Foundation ‘Legacy Region the charitable arms of Berkshire Bank, America’s Most Exciting BankSM, are leaders in philanthropy and community involvement. The foundations’mission is to enhance the quality of life in Berkshire Bank’s footprint by providing priority funding to education and community/economic development projects. They also fund programs dedicated to the arts, education, and human services. Each year the two foundations award nearly $1.3 million to nonprofit organizations in their footprint. For more information, visit www.berkshirebank.com/foundation, ‘Like’them on www.facebook.com/BerkshireBank or call Peter J. Lafayette, Executive Director at 413-447-1722.
Berkshire Hills Bancorp is the parent of Berkshire Bank - America's Most Exciting Bank(SM). The Company has more than $4 billion in assets and 68 full service branch offices in Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, and Vermont providing personal and business banking, insurance, and wealth management services.
PITTSFIELD, MASS, July 9, 2012 ‘Berkshire Bank Foundation Inc
Berkshire Bank Foundation, Berkshire Bank Foundation - Legacy Region announce grants
Submitted by tim
on