Recently, Samantha Anderson, Executive Director, Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires, brought to our attention that these are dire times for nonprofits due to government cuts.

I commend Anderson for articulating the problem. Solutions can only follow the acknowledgement of problems. The best solutions follow the most accurate definitions. Sometimes pointing out the problem is a brave step. People may not like to hear it. Nevertheless, it is a mandatory step to take.

Change is inevitable, and for better or worse, as a country, we are changing. One of the ways we can track the nature of change is by how we spend our money. If we are more concerned about low taxes and less about governmental services – we reflect that. How the government collects and spends money reflects our values. Our spending may reflect that we have become less charitable – not as individuals — but collectively as a government.

Anderson allied with Massachusetts Council of Nonprofits CEO Jim Klocke and brought together representatives from approximately 100 nonprofits at the Norman Rockwell Museum to make the problem clear. In mid-2025, I founded Berkshire Preservation Inc (BPI) to address the problem. BPI is there for all Berkshire nonprofits: to help them as they protect what is uniquely Berkshire.

BPI has had a strong beginning. Recently we raised $100,000 for the Southern Berkshire Ambulance Squad. Even after costs, we delivered a check to SBAs for almost $100,000. We stand ready to do the same for any of our nonprofits.

BPI respects that SBAS can get an ambulance out in answer to a call. We can’t, but BPI can write grants, design program and financial plans, and produce great fundraising events. We will do our job to enable our nonprofits to do theirs.

BPI will join forces with, and work on behalf of, every nonprofit and every Berkshire municipality that invites us to. We will raise their stature as we raise money. 

Get to know BPI better at www.preservationinc.org