1935 - 1944
On November 14, 1935, a temporary Community Chest Organization was founded to
support agencies which serve residents of North Adams and Clarksburg. While
one of the most important goals of the Chest was to coordinate the fundraising
activities of its nine agencies, it also served to increase public understanding
of its agencies' services and include new agencies as community needs grow.
On January 7, 1936, Herbert B. Clark, vice president of the Berkshire County
Branch of the MSPCC, motioned to adopt a constitution and by-laws for creation
of a permanent organization. This motion was carried unanimously, thus creating
the North Adams Community Chest Association. The Community Chest was reorganized
in 1943 to include the National War Fund. This new organization, the North Adams
Community War Chest, decided for the first time in the Chest's history to conduct
its annual fund drive without the services of a professional fundraising organization.
The next year, 1944, the Chest raised a record $67,331.
1945-1954
1946 was an important year for the North Adams Community Chest Association.
After dissolving the War Chest and taking back its former name, the Chest began
its second decade of service. In keeping with its original goals, this 10-year
period was one of extensive growth for the Chest. At its annual meeting on January
24, 1952, the Chest voted in favor of a United Fund that would conduct a single
drive to finance the North Adams Community Chest Association, the Red Cross,
and the U.S.O. The United Fund conducted its first drive in 19S3, raising $93,453.
In 1954, the Chest changed its name to the North Adams Community Fund. Also
that year, two national agencies joined the United fund - the United Cerebral
Palsy Association of Berkshire County, Inc., and the Arthritis and Rheumatism
Foundation. A record $96,631 was raised the next year, 1955.
1955-1964
1956 was a landmark year for the North Adams Community Fund - it marked the
first campaign in the Fund's history to top the $100,000 mark. A formidable
accomplishment in itself, this total is even more impressive when the loss of
the Berkshire Hathaway Mill and the Windsor Print Works is considered. The Fund
was still able to increase its pledges by 31/2 times to put the total at $102,219.
The Fund concluded its third decade with yet another record setting year. When
the campaign ended on October 27, 1965, the Fund was short of its $113,365 goal.
This led to the decision to extend the campaign until November 10, but on that
date the goal remained unmet, short $202 of the targeted amount. However, when
delayed reports from Pfizer Manufacturing were counted, the Community Fund was
over the top!
1965-1974
1966 saw residents of the town of Adams establish the Adams United Fund, Inc.
In May of 1967, the North Adams Community Council and the United Community Fund
merged to form a single organization. A study committee was successful in merging
the Adams United Fund and the North Adams Community Fund. On April 25, 1968,
the Northern Berkshire United Community Services met and elected its first President.
The United Way of America was formed in 1970, and the Northern Berkshire United
Community Services began using the term "United Way" in conjunction with its
1973-74 campaign. The campaign raised $171,370 that year.
1975-1984
On May 18, 1976, the Northern Berkshire United Community Services voted to change
its name to the Northern Berkshire United Way and put in place a working relationship
in order to obtain maximum benefits with the United Way of America. 1985 marked
the 50th anniversary of the many organizations that have evolved into the Northern
Berkshire United Way, Inc.
1985 - 1995
In 1990, The Red Feather Society was established recognizing individual contributors
who make a substantial financial commitment to the United Way. The first year
listed 93 charter members. In 1992 and 1994, two large contributions formed
an endowment fund, the earned income from which is used for special needs. The
1995 campaign succeeded in collecting over a half million dollars, the first
time in the 60-year history of the organization. This was the year in which
long-time Executive Director Al Nelson retired amidst endless heartfelt statements
of gratitude and congratulations.
1996-Present
Northern Berkshire United Way continued to increase its fundraising success,
surpassing the $650,000 plateau in 2000, and the Red Feather Society grew to
more than 200 members. Under new Executive Director Bob Barton's leadership,
the organization also became more active in gathering and analyzing data on
community well-being as a way to improve its judgments about priorities and
the effectiveness of programs receiving funds. Another major innovation was
to seek grants outside the North Berkshire area to fund important local initiatives.
By 2002, this new strategy was bringing in about $1 million per year, primarily
in grants from the Department of Education to fund after school programs in
North Adams and Adams (21st Century Learning Centers). Recent years have seen
increasing collaboration between NBUW, the Berkshire United Way, and the Williamstown
Community Chest, as they endeavor to reduce costs and increase effectiveness.
In 2002, the federations shared campaign materials (billboards, brochures, etc.)
and agency allocation procedures.