STOCKBRIDGE, Mass. — The Norman Rockwell Museum was filled with nonprofit members and philanthropists earlier this month to have a conversation centered around the challenges in Western Massachusetts and how Philanthropy Massachusetts can help. 

 

"Part of what I wanted to do was just get out there and meet who is working on behalf of folks in Berkshire County," said the organization's new CEO Mary Skelton Roberts.

 

"The other goals was to talk with them about ... what are the issues that they're facing, and how were they coming together, to discuss these issues, learn together, and then figure out if there is a next step." 

 

The event featured a panel consisting of Roberts and local nonprofit leaders Peter Taylor, president of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, and Jim Canales, president and trustee of the Barr Foundation.

 

Based on the conversations at the event, it seemed that the attendees wanted to hear what Philanthropy Massachusetts' concerns and priorities are, Roberts said. 

 

Philanthropy Massachusetts was established in 1969 with aims to bridge the gap between funders and fund applicants. 

 

Through its network, it provides a number of resources such as research and technical assistance, and convenes funders and non-profits, Roberts said.

 

"Philanthropy Massachusetts has a deep commitment to equity and inclusion. Our goal is to collectively move the field of philanthropy to be more intentional in advancing equity and justice in the sector and across the Commonwealth," according to Philanthropy's website. 

 

"Our primary strategy to achieve this goal is to influence, encourage, support and lead institutional and individual funders in MA to advance equity (racial and other forms), diversity and inclusion systems, policies, practices and structures within their organizations and communities served." 

 

The Barr Foundation is one of Berkshire County's largest funders and strong funder, Roberts said. During the event, Canales talked about "how philanthropy is thinking about some of the issues that are affecting not just Massachusetts, but across the country, that have an impact on Massachusetts," Roberts said. 

 

The event was to find out what the community's needs are so, in the future, the Western Mass. Funders Network working group can discuss next steps and develop a strategy.  

 

They will also conduct research on funding trends and data to identify opportunities in the region and explore ways to facilitate collaboration between the nonprofit, for-profit, and public sectors to improve the quality of life in the region.

 

"Our role is to be facilitators, conveners, connectors and the bridge between the for-profit and the nonprofit sector," Roberts said. 

 

"We bring business along, we bring, decision makers, and public policy makers. When we bring them together and we're able to talk and learn and share and act, that's when you start seeing really interesting good things happen."

 

Another thing that Roberts wants to look at that was not part of the event is how much funding from various foundations in Massachusetts goes to Berkshire County and what issues the funders are supporting. 

 

According to the data from 2022, there are approximately 481 nonprofits in Berkshire County, which is 17 percent of the total nonprofits in Massachusetts, and about $90 million in funding went to those nonprofits, Roberts said. 

 

"One of the things that that number tells me is that we have a lot of funders that are not from Berkshire County, that are actually funding the county," she said.

 

Based on this data, Roberts said the county is "doing a really good job at" looking across the state for funding and working in collaboration in ways that are going to make a difference.

 

According to the data the top funding priorities in 2022 were education at $29.6 million, arts and culture at $26.9 million, human services at $14 million, economic development at $9.1 million, and health at $6.3 million, Roberts said. 

 

This data is important because it shows were the money is going, what the area's priorities are, how these priorities align with the state and future opportunities, what can be done to bring more attention to the Berkshires, and where more can be done, Roberts said. 

 

"So I was curious to talk with them and understand more and really learn from them what can  Philanthropy Massachusetts do going forward that is a benefit to you and a benefit to the field," Roberts said.