Mill Town Foundation partners with Morningside Community School to unveil Magic Tree House Mural
Pittsfield— Mill Town Foundation is proud to announce the completion of a new, vibrant mural at Morningside Community School, inspired by the beloved Magic Tree House book series. The mural, painted by Pittsfield-based artist Huckleberry Elling, now adorns the school’s library, bringing themes of adventure, learning, and imagination to life.
Over the course of several weeks, Elling painted the mural during school hours, allowing students and staff to witness the creative process firsthand. Her dedication and artistry sparked curiosity and excitement among the students, with one second-grader exclaiming, “It’s a miracle!” A teacher noted, “I appreciated the focus and dedication Huck demonstrated throughout the process. Hopefully, it sets an example for students and their approach to their schoolwork.”
“We are thrilled to bring this creative and educational project to Morningside Community School,” said Andy Wrba, Program Director of Mill Town Foundation. “Art has the power to inspire, and through this mural, we hope to ignite the imaginations of students while celebrating the importance of literacy, exploration, and community.”
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Westside Legends, Inc., supported by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and EforAll Berkshire County, awards six community microgrants
Pittsfield— Westside Legends, Inc., supported by Downtown Pittsfield, Inc. and EforAll Berkshire County, awarded six community microgrants. These micro-grants will promote connections between downtown businesses and the West Side, creating opportunities for West Side residents, promoting quality of life and safety, and helping to increase vitality in the downtown and West Side neighborhoods.
The Westside Legends Grants Committee awarded a $1,000 microgrant to the following three individuals/businesses: Ludwig Jean-Louis, owner of Cravin’s Ice Cream; Destiny Saunders, co-owner of Dolce Rose Beauty Supply; and Ronny Brizan, owner of BB’s Hot Spot. $500 microgrants were awarded to the following three individuals/businesses: Taylor Jackson, owner of Tee’s Dipped Delights; Tyler Williamson, owner of The Nail Room by Tee; and Goundo Piere Behanzin, owner of Berkshire International Market.
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Jewish Federation of the Berkshires appoints Rebekah Steinfeld as Senior Development Officer
Pittsfield— Jewish Federation of the Berkshires announced the appointment of Rebekah Steinfeld as its new Senior Development Officer.
With extensive nonprofit experience and a passion for building strong community connections, Steinfeld will play a key role in advancing the Federation’s mission. In her new role, Steinfeld will collaborate closely with the Federation’s Executive Director and Board of Directors to enhance the organization’s annual campaign and Major Gifts program. She will focus on cultivating and strengthening relationships with donors while overseeing strategic giving initiatives aimed at securing long-term financial support for the Federation’s programs and services.
Steinfeld joins the Federation after more than a decade at UMass Amherst Hillel, where she served as Assistant Director and was instrumental in transforming student engagement. She spearheaded the development of a comprehensive Student Life Plan, driving a remarkable 160% increase in student involvement, and played a crucial role in donor engagement, effectively showcasing Hillel’s impact to key stakeholders.
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Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires welcomes McCaela Donovan as associate director
Berkshire— Nonprofit Center of the Berkshires (NPC) is pleased to welcome McCaela Donovan to the NPC team in a new position of associate director, sharing the leadership and administrative workload of managing two dozen programs and services for Berkshire nonprofits.
McCaela has spent the majority of her career in the nonprofit sector, most recently in a consulting role. Multiple leadership roles have included Managing Director of White Heron Theatre Company on Nantucket and Assistant Director of the Boston University School of Theatre. McCaela is an Eliot Norton and IRNE award-winning actress, having worked in theatre, film, and television for over 25 years in both NYC and Boston. She holds a BFA from Ithaca College, an MA from Emerson College and an MFA from Brandeis University. She currently serves on the Affordable Housing Trust in Stockbridge.
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seeing rainbows receives flood of institutional support
Pittsfield— With the receipt of multiple recent grants, seeing rainbows, a Berkshire-based trans-led and -operated nonprofit, has secured institutional funding for 2025 nearly five times greater than the total funding for the group’s inaugural year.
The organization, which will be one year old in May, has recently been awarded grants from Feigenbaum Foundation, Greylock Federal Credit Union, and Berkshire Taconic Community Foundation, in addition to a $9,000 award from the Action for Transformation Fund at Emergent Fund, and $4,000 from the Borealis Fund’s Fund for Trans Generations. These awards, join with those from the Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation (MOOR), Berkshire United Way, and First Avenue Fund to bring the total institutional funding to levels over five times that of the organization’s inaugural year, before the end of the first quarter.
Aside from Greylock’s gift of $2,000 earmarked for seeing rainbows’ Trans Mutual Aid Fund (an increase from their 2024 gift of $500), Berkshire Taconic’s $5,000 Planning and Technical Assistance grant, which is earmarked for specific internal trainings, certifications, and/or capacity building, and MOOR’s contributions to the group’s weekly hiking program, the gifts amount to $30,000 in general operating support to support art, community events, and mutual aid programs.
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Triplex Cinema announces Feigenbaum Foundation grant
Great Barrington— The Triplex Cinema announces that it has received an important grant from the Pittsfield-based Feigenbaum Foundation. The grant will help with the purchase of a critical newly enhanced Theatre Management Software program for the Triplex. The new system will allow the Triplex to upgrade its software program, which is the brain and nervous system of the Triplex projection booth. This system is essential for proper operation of all systems involved in digital theatrical projection.
Nicki Wilson, President of the Triplex Board of Directors said, “we are grateful to the Feigenbaum Foundation for their continued support of the Triplex Cinema. Our new Theatre Management Software program is a critical piece of our operations and the Feigenbaum grant makes the purchase of this new system possible.”
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Bennington Theater unveils Audiotechnik sound system to elevate live performances
Bennington, Vt.— Bennington Theater is thrilled to announce the installation of a brand-new sound system, marking a significant step forward in enhancing the live performance experience for artists and audiences alike. This upgrade was made possible through a Cultural Facilities grant from the Vermont Arts Council and a generous matching grant from Andrew P. Zoito Jr.
Bennington Theater now features a complete d&b Audiotechnik system, delivering industry-leading sound quality unmatched in the region. The system features d&b’s installation-specific lineup of Qi, Ci, E, and xS series loudspeakers and subs; five front-facing main speakers, three rear surrounds, and one room-shaking 21-inch subwoofer. The system is powered by d&b D6, D12, and 5D amplifiers producing a total combined power of 8,400 Watts.
The new installation enhances the theater’s ability to host a diverse range of performances, from live music and theatrical productions to film screenings and community events. “Our new sound system is a game-changer,” said Kaiya Kirk, Executive Director of Bennington Theater. “This investment ensures that we can continue to deliver outstanding performances, making our theater a premier destination for both performers and audiences. We are immensely grateful to the Vermont Arts Council and Andrew P. Zoito Jr. for their support in making this possible.”
