News

May 12, 2016

Berkshire Bank Foundation Awards Over $80,000 To Twenty Six Capital District Nonprofits

Berkshire Bank Foundation announced that it has awarded $80,500 in grants and pledges to twenty-six nonprofit organizations in the greater Capital District during their first quarter grants cycle.

The funding from Berkshire Bank Foundation supported a variety of organizations, some of which include:

  • Trinity Allinace of the Capital Region based in Albany, NY received a grant to support the Capitol South Campus Center.
  • United Way of the Greater Capital Region based in Albany, NY received a grant to support their programs for low-moderate income individuals.
  • miSci Museum of Science & Innovation based in Schenectady, NY received a grant to support their STEM programs.
  • Northern Rivers, Parsons Child & Family Center & Northeast Parent & Child based in Schenectady and Albany, NY received a grant to support their educational and job training programs.
  • Junior Achievement of Northeastern New York based in Latham, NY received a grant to support their 21st century skills programs.
  • Wildwood based in Schenectady, NY received a grant to support the adult education financial literacy programs.
  • YMCA of the Capital District based in Albany, NY received a grant to support their student society of finance financial education program.
  • Family YMCA of Glens Falls based in Glens Falls, NY received a grant to support their No More Learning Gap program.
  • Colonie Senior Services Center based in Colonie, NY received a grant to support their financial resource center.

Lori Gazzillo, Vice President and Director of the Foundation said, “We are proud to partner with these great organizations as we work collaboratively to make our communities stronger. It’s only through broad based support from individuals, foundations and businesses working alongside these non-profits that we’ll successfully improve our community. We’re proud to play a small role in that effort.”

In addition to financial support, the XTEAM®, the bank’s nationally acclaimed Employee Volunteer Program, provides employees with paid time off to volunteer during regular business hours. In 2015, over 70% of Berkshire Bank’s employees provided more than 40,000 hours of service to benefit community organizations across the bank’s service area. The volunteer program is another way for the bank to give back to the communities where it does business.