2026 Berkshire Nonprofit Awards Honorees Chosen

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GREAT BARRINGTON, Mass. — The Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, in partnership with The Berkshire Eagle, has announced the names of 7 honorees receiving recognition at the 9th annual Berkshire Nonprofit Awards on May 19.

The Berkshire Nonprofit Awards recognize the accomplishments and dedication of the people who work in the nonprofit sector.

A panel of 22 judges from the business and nonprofit sectors deliberated via Zoom to choose honorees in each of 7 categories from among over 65 nominations. The honorees are: 

Board Leadership: 

Liliana Atanacio/ Latinas413

Executive Leadership: 

Sabrina Allard/ Railroad Street Youth Project

Samya Rose Stumo Youth Leadership: 

Gloria Williams/ R.O.P.E. & Price Memorial AME Zion Church

Rock Star:

Jennifer Golin/ Child Care of the Berkshires

 Unsung Hero:

Kathryn Benson/ Berkshire Food Project

Volunteer:

Lisa Alberti/ Literacy Volunteers of Berkshire County

Lifetime Achievement:

Cathy Marchetto, RN/ Berkshire Health Systems

"If there was ever a year that revealed the true impact and necessity of our Berkshire County nonprofits, this was it. From food insecurity and housing shortages to disruptions in healthcare and challenges facing our arts and cultural organizations, so many in our community have felt the strain—and witnessed the unwavering commitment of those working behind the scenes to meet it," said Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires Associate Director McCaela Donovan. "On May 19, with the support of our sponsors, NPC will honor seven of these dedicated and creative leaders who continue to inspire their organizations and strengthen our communities. We hope you’ll join us for an uplifting morning as we come together to express our deep gratitude for the nonprofit sector and all who sustain it."

The 2026 Berkshire Nonprofit Awards are made possible by  sponsors: Adams Community Bank, Acrisure/Toole Insurance, 1Berkshire, Beacon Bank, The Berkshire Eagle, Berkshire Healthcare Systems, Berkshires Tomorrow Inc/Berkshire Regional Planning Commission, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, BlackRock/Donald C. McGraw Foundation, Doctor Sax House, Feigenbaum Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Jane & Jack Fitzpatrick Trust, Keiter Construction, Liz Albert Fundraising, Mazzone Hospitality, Mungy Design, NBT Bank, Pryjma Petals, Renaissance Investment Group, Tricia McCormack Photography, Warrior Trading and the Wright Collective. 

The Berkshire Nonprofit Awards breakfast will take place on May 19 from 8:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. at the Country Club of Pittsfield. The celebration will feature breakfast and networking, a performance by hip hop artist Jackson Whalan, and presentation of awards. NPC founder Liana Toscanini will be honored, and incoming Executive Director Samantha Anderson will be introduced.

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased online at npcberkshires.org.

If you would like to contribute information on this article, contact us at info@iberkshires.com.

Berkshire Bounty Sets Pickleball Fund-Raiser

PITTSFIELD, Mass. -- It’s back: the third annual Fun(D)raising Pickleball Tournament for the benefit of Berkshire Bounty.
 
Pickleball players are invited to rally against food insecurity at this fun and friendly benefit fo Berkshire Bounty, a Great Barrington-based non-profit organization with the mission to creatively advance community food security through food rescue and delivery.
 
Registration is open through Sept. 18th with the tournament taking place, rain or shine, on Saturday, Sept. 26, at Bousquet Sport Club in Pittsfield.
 
Berkshire Bounty co-founders Mark Lefenfeld and Jay Weintraub expressed their gratitude to the community in a news release announcing the tournament.
 
Teams of two may register in either the Beginner/Intermediate or Intermediate/Advanced Divisions. Entry Fee is $120 per team, with all proceeds going to Berkshire Bounty. 
 
Current event sponsors include the Gilson Family Foundation, Osteo Strong, Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, Lance Vermeulen Real Estate, Berkshire Money Management, Beacon Bank, Ethan Kelpetar Law Firm, and October Mountain Financial Advisors.
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