Sponsorships

Community Sponsorship Requests

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank is dedicated to supporting community organizations that contribute to the quality of life in the communities in which we serve. Like most giving organizations, we receive far more requests for support than we can approve.

Organizations applying for sponsorships must complete the required information in the online application and adhere to the guidelines below. Not-for-profit (501(c)(3) organizations seeking funding should apply for donations through the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s application (linked).

Funding decisions are based on available resources and the degree to which proposals meet Pittsfield Co-op’s sponsorship priorities and funding criteria. Completed online applications are reviewed on a monthly basis. You will be notified via email of request approval or denial.

ELIGIBILITY

To be considered for funding, organizations must:

Be located in or primarily provide service in Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s service area.

Submit a completed online application and provide documentation as requested.

Response date deadline must be 60 or more days from your sponsorship deadline, in order to ensure that we can maximize all marketing and promotional benefits.

PRIORITIES

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank gives greater consideration to the following:

Services/events that occur within and benefit communities located in the Pittsfield Cooperative Bank’s footprint. This includes: Berkshire County Massachusetts, northwestern Connecticut, Columbia County New York, and southern Vermont.

Offer assistance and/or collaborate with existing community resources that offer programs supporting early childhood intervention, youth activities and team-building athletics.

Offer assistance and/or collaborate with existing community resources that offer programs supporting diversity, inclusion and belonging.

Evaluate on measures that ensure mutually beneficial and equitable results.

+ LIMITATIONS

Pittsfield Cooperative Bank will consider no more than one application per year from any single organization.

Any organization that has received either a charitable donation OR bank sponsorship within the current calendar year is not eligible for another contribution until the following calendar year. This guideline is intended to help encourage and ensure that agencies and organizations remain entrepreneurial in their efforts to obtain funds from a variety of funding sources.

EXAMPLES OF RECENT SPONSORSHIPS

Mentoring programs for at-risk students and youth

Cultural enrichment programs in schools and museums

Early childhood development educational programs, youth athletics, library programs, professional skills programs

Financial literacy programs

Events supporting diversity, inclusion and belonging

Regional events with proceeds being donated to charitable research nonprofits

WE GENERALLY DO NOT SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING

Organizations outside of our defined market area

Fraternal, labor and political organizations, including fraternal orders of police and firefighters

Lobbying groups

Religious organizations