“A Helping Hand for Helping Hands” is a grant program that helps not-for-profit organizations provide training opportunities for staff, executives, and other representatives. The program has been re-funded for 2008 and will be accepting applications beginning February 1, 2008.

2008 Helping Hands Application

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
United Church of Christ
906 Main Street
Williamstown, Massachusetts 01267
“A Helping Hand for Helping Hands”
Training Grants for the Staff, Executives, and Trustees
of Not-for-Profit Human Service Agencies
that serve the Northern Berkshires
Church Office Contact:
Gail Burns
906 Main Street
Williamstown MA 01267
Tel: 413-458-4273
Fax: 413-458-3414
Email: fcc.willi@verison.net
Board of Outreach Contact:
Barbara Richardson
906 Main Street
Williamstown MA 01267
Tel: 413-458-4273
Fax: 413-458-3414
Email: fcc.willi@verison.net
SUMMARY STATEMENT
This project is intended to provide funding for not-for-profit human service agencies that serve the
Northern Berkshires to upgrade their ability to “meet human needs and alleviate suffering.” In turn, it is
intended to involve members of the congregation as volunteers in the activities of these agencies.
RATIONALE
The members of the First Congregational Church of Williamstown and the Church’s Board of Outreach
believe that, while each human services agency in our region is unique, but many face similar
challenges. Staff recruitment and retention, board recruitment and training, quality record keeping,
informing the public of the agency and its mission, grant writing, developing financial support
necessary for success, and insuring effective interaction with state and Federal programs, are just a few
examples of these common issues. Knowledgeable and well-trained staff and volunteers are keys to
confronting these challenges However, limited resources often dictate that upgrading of skills and
expanding knowledge are sacrificed in order for the agency to meet other, more immediate, needs.
Many not-for-profit service organizations that focus on the human needs of the Northern Berkshire
community may be unable to provide important and necessary training and skill enhancement
programs, often resulting in a reduction of the agency’s ability to deliver high quality services in an
efficient and timely manner.
A few examples of the many areas of training that are important include:
• Building staff skill sets that improve interaction with clients.
• Developing a better understanding of resources available from local, state, Federal, and private
sources.
• Upgrading skills in fund-raising, grant-writing, planned giving, and other means of support
procurement.
• Familiarizing current employees with current trends and thinking in their areas of expertise.
• Improving executive’s skills in recruitment, training and interacting with board members and
other volunteers.
• Enhancing the agency’s ability to inform the public of its mission and role in the community.
• Upgrading software and Internet skills in order to handle administrative tasks more efficiently.
An outcome of providing additional training may lead to improved staff morale and retention.
Our congregation has established this initiative in order to address this problem.
PROGRAM
We will provide grants of up to $1,000 to executives, staff members and other representatives from not-
for-profit human service agencies that serve Northern Berkshire County. These grants are to be used to
fund additional training for the recipients.
An applicant must apply in writing on forms available from the program contact (see above) or the
church office and must be willing to appear before the selection Board if deemed necessary. An
applicant must have a supporting letter from her or his supervisor, or, in the case of an agency head, the
chair of his or her board.
Preference will be given to applicants who plan to attend programs within a 200-mile radius of
Williamstown. Grant funds may be used for tuition and fees, lodging at no more than $100 per night,
meals at no more than $40 per day, and auto travel at $ .35 per mile up to 400 miles.
The Board of Outreach will be especially interested in requests that include at least partial or matching
funding from the agency itself.
Interested individuals should apply at least 40 days prior to the activity she or he wishes to attend. In
most cases a response to an application may be expected less than 30 days.
Applications for grants for the year 2008 will be accepted beginning February 1, 2008 and will
continue to be accepted until resources for the year are committed.
OUTCOME
The recipient of a grant and/or a representative of his or her agency will be expected to present an oral
and written report to the congregation, discussing the agency’s mission as well as views of the outcome
of the training.
It is our intent to keep the members of the congregation informed about the recipients of these grants
and the agencies they represent. We hope that this flow of information will, in turn, motivate church
members to consider becoming involved with these agencies as supporters and/or volunteers.