The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts was founded in 1991 to serve the needs of the Pioneer Valley. Encompassing 69 cities and towns in the Connecticut River Valley (Hampden, Hampshire, and Franklin Counties), the Foundation provides a vehicle for residents to focus their philanthropy on this beautiful and increasingly diverse region. The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts seeks to enrich the quality of life of the people of Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin Counties by: • Encouraging philanthropy. • Developing a permanent, flexible endowment. • Assessing and responding to emerging and changing needs. • Providing a vehicle for donors with varied interests and at various levels of giving. • Serving as a resource, catalyst and coordinator for charitable activities. • Promoting efficiency in the management of charitable funds.