The mission of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation is to build stronger communities and improve the quality of life for all residents in the areas it serves. This involves supporting various charitable programs and endeavors, including the promotion of education, the arts, and community development.
The Williamstown Elementary School Endowment (WESE) Fund, established in 1997 under the umbrella of the Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, is designed to enhance the educational experience at Williamstown Elementary School by supporting initiatives beyond the core curriculum. This includes funding for new programs that augment the curriculum, extra-curricular activities, independent studies, individual creative projects, visiting speakers or artists, scientific, athletic, or technical equipment, and class field trips. The fund encourages proposals from a broad spectrum of the school and local community, aiming to provide exceptional educational opportunities that go beyond basic education.
Priority will be awarded to applications that act as a springboard for a wider range of educational opportunities and have the potential to integrate sustainably with existing school programs. Proposals that leverage volunteer participation and demonstrate alternative forms of support will also receive higher consideration. Given the availability of other funding sources for teacher professional development, proposals focusing on enhancing students' learning experiences will generally be favored.