A Backbone for Berkshire Giving

Meet the new Director of the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires

By Samantha Anderson

Photo by Tricia McCormack Photography

July2026

Read Berkshire Magazine's July 2026 Issue.

WHEN I FIRST SETTLED in the Berkshires five years ago, what struck me was not just the beauty of the landscape, but the way people show up for one another. I saw neighbors rallying around schools, arts organizations, health and human service agencies, and grassroots efforts that quietly keep this region humming. That spirit of care is why I’m honored to step into the role of Executive Director at the Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC), taking the baton from founder Liana Toscanini, who launched the organization ten years ago.

NPC was created to make life easier and more effective for the more than 1,000 charitable organizations in Berkshire County. Our mission is to facilitate their growth through shared resources, affordable services, and creative collaborations so leaders can stay focused on their missions: housing and food security, education, the arts, the environment, health and wellness, and more. That means offering workshops and peer learning, providing operational support and fiscal sponsorship to fledgling projects, making expert referrals, and connecting nonprofits with partners, funders, volunteers, and with one another.

I come to this work after three decades at the intersection of business, nonprofits, and philanthropy, co-founding initiatives, partnering with foundations, and supporting organizations as they grow. I’ve seen what becomes possible when organizations are well resourced, and I’ve also seen how much nonprofit leaders are asked to carry with too little support. NPC exists to change that equation: to be a trusted hub and backbone for the sector, so that great ideas in the Berkshires have every opportunity to take root.

For many Berkshire Magazine readers, “giving back” is already woven into your lives. You serve on boards, support capital campaigns, and help ensure that the Berkshires remains a place where creativity and compassion flourish. NPC is an ally in that generosity. We help you discover organizations that align with your passions through resources like our annual Giving Back guide, and through convenings that introduce you to the leaders doing the work on the ground. We share insights that can help you understand where your philanthropy can make the most meaningful difference. We also offer a match-making service to help you find boards where your skills and experience are most needed.

Looking ahead, one of my first priorities at NPC is leading a new Berkshire County “State of the Nonprofit Sector” report. This countywide research effort will provide fresh data and a strategic view of our nonprofit ecosystem, showing how nonprofits contribute to our economy, how needs have shifted since the last major study more than a decade ago, and where new opportunities for collaboration are emerging. It will be a practical tool for nonprofit leaders, funders, planners, and civic partners, grounding decisions in current, credible information rather than outdated assumptions.

With this research, we hope to help answer questions every thoughtful donor asks: Where are the greatest needs? Where are the strongest assets? Where will my contribution have the greatest impact?

My vision is for NPC not only to support nonprofits day-to-day, but also to help the region see the whole system more clearly. With better data and deeper connection, we can make sure every philanthropic dollar goes further, guide smarter planning and board decision-making, and strengthen the case for why nonprofit work is central to the Berkshires’ economic vitality and community resilience. In a place where many residents and second-home owners care deeply about giving back, NPC can be the bridge between your desire to help and the organizations that are building a more equitable, vibrant region.

As I begin this role, my commitment is simple: to listen, to learn, and to build on the strong foundation created byLiana and by so many of you who have supported the nonprofit sector in the Berkshires. In the coming months, I look forward to meeting you at NPC events, at your favorite institutions, and around the county. If you’re wondering how to engage more deeply or more strategically with local nonprofits, I invite you to be in touch. Together, we can ensure that the Berkshires remains not only a remarkable place to live, work, and visit, but also a place where generosity is organized, informed, and felt in every corner of our community.

To get in touch: samantha@npcberkshires.org and npcberkshires.org