Lee Bank Foundation Distributes Final Grant Funding Round of 2022

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LEE, Mass. — Lee Bank Foundation has awarded $45,670 to ten Berkshire area organizations for their fourth-round of 2022 community funding.
 
Recipients were awarded grants ranging from $1,000 to $10,000 to support their local programming. Included in the awards are a series of Arts Access Grants for arts and culture organizations to expand access to programming for underserved audiences.
 
The following organizations received funding from Lee Bank Foundation:
  • 18 Degrees
  • Berkshire Community Action Council
  • Berkshire County Head Start
  • Berkshire Grown
  • Berkshire Immigrant Center
  • Berkshire Pulse
  • Business Professionals of America, Massachusetts Association
  • Extra Special Teas
  • Latinas 413
  • Literacy Network of South Berkshire
 
The deadline to apply for the first round of 2023 Foundation funding is March 1st. The application and more information can be found on the Community Impact section of Lee Bank's website (https://www.leebank.com/community-impact/donations-sponsorships.html)
 
To be considered for grant awards, applicants must be a (501)(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Foundation is focused on funding programs that work to bridge income and opportunity gaps in our region. Funding requests should reflect one or more of Lee Bank Foundation's primary focus areas:
  • Education and literacy
  • Food security and nutrition
  • Economic growth and development
  • Health and human services
  • Mentorship, internship and “school to work” initiatives
  • Arts and culture
Applicants are only eligible for funding once in a 12-month period.
 
Lee Bank Foundation was established in 2021 to support Lee Bank's long-standing mission of community reinvestment. In its second year, 2022, the Lee Bank Foundation contributed a total of $248,720 in grants into the community. Since its 2021 inception, the Foundation has distributed 93 grants totaling $477,330.

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Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund Songwriter Series Continues

LEE, Mass. — The Sandy McKnight Songwriters Fund will host the second event of its new bi-monthly Songwriter Series on Friday, Jan. 17, at Appetito, located at 54 Main Street in Lee.

The event begins at 6:30 p.m. and features Pittsfield-based singer-songwriter Christine Bilé, followed by an open mic session for original songwriters.

According to a press release:

Christine Bilé is a singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Pittsfield, Massachusetts, blending acoustic pop and folk influences. Playing instruments like guitar and ukulele, she writes, composes, and arranges songs that explore themes of relationships, self-love, and empowerment. Influenced by artists such as Michael Jackson, John Mayer, and Beyoncé, Christine plays music across Massachusetts and beyond, with notable performances including a set at the Ladybug Music Festival in Wilmington, Delaware.

The Songwriter Series, held on the first and third Fridays of each month, celebrates the legacy of Sandy McKnight, a beloved local musician and advocate for the arts who passed away in May 2024. The series offers a platform for seasoned and emerging songwriters to share their work, fostering community and creativity in McKnight’s memory.

 

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