“ The work that’ s getting done through some of those fields, especially in education and the nonprofit sector, those are unsung heroes that don’ t often get the spotlight they deserve,” says Andy Wrba, the foundation’ s program director. The 40 Under Forty program awards emerging leaders $ 1,000 each to donate to a nonprofit of their choice, resulting in $ 40,000 in annual community support. Farella, who was a recipient this year in addition to her Core Impact recognition, chose the Love of T Foundation, a local mental health nonprofit where her husband is board chair. Additionally, the 40 recipients are invited to a leadership development retreat at Kripalu to build long-term capacity for local business and civic leaders. The Core Impact Awards recognize one staff member from each of Pittsfield’ s 14 public schools, often serving as a launchpad for deeper engagement.“ Recognizing these folks and the good work they’ re doing is one part of it,” says Wrba.“ The long-term vision is all for the benefit of the community.”

Investing in Place: Art, Identity, and Energized Neighborhoods

Mill Town’ s mission also extends to the visual fabric of the city. Through its support for the Let It Shine public art program, the foundation is partnering with artists, schools, and neighborhoods to transform Pittsfield’ s public spaces into sources of community pride.

“ Most of what I’ ve been doing is community-based work with students in Pittsfield public schools and creating murals together,” says artist Huck Elling, whose collaborative murals now brighten building across the city.

One standout project included 173 students from Morningside Elementary, whose photographs now form a large-scale mural on the Morningside Community Center / YMCA’ s exterior in a bold and joyful celebration of local youth.

“ This is their neighborhood; this is their place,” Elling says.“ And their smiles create so many more smiles.”

For Mill Town, this kind of visual investment speaks to a deeper mission: fostering“ energized neighborhoods” as drivers of broader revitalization. As Mixer puts it:“ If you could create one energized area that has newness and a buzz to it, it would go a long way.”

Mill Town’ s impact stretches across Berkshire County through strategic partnerships. Laura Brennan, economic development program manager at the Berkshire Regional Planning Commission( BRPC) and new Mill Town board member, points to the foundation’ s early support for BRPC’ s first-ever countywide outdoor recreation plan, which led to additional investment and the creation of the web-based resource Berkshires Outside.“ Outdoor recreation is a very big part of our economy, a very big part of why people visit, but also why the quality of life is so strong,” Brennan says.“ The more we can highlight these opportunities, the more people want to come back and maybe even put down roots. That was my own story. I came as a visitor and stayed largely because of outdoor recreation opportunities.”

Jazz in the Berkshires presents

a 501c3 organization

70 // BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE Fall 2025