Expanding Resources and Voices
Mill Town’ s focus on energized neighborhoods rather than just business districts aligns with the Knight Foundation study’ s finding that mixed-use, community-centered areas prove more resilient than employment-focused cores, particularly relevant as cities adapt to post-pandemic economic realities.
The transition to public charity status enables Mill Town to pursue funding from foundations, corporations, and government sources that typically don ' t support private foundations. More significantly, it requires a more diverse board structure that brings additional perspectives to programmatic decisions— an evolution from Mixer ' s individual vision to a community-driven approach.
The transition has generated both enthusiasm and thoughtful consideration within the regional philanthropic community. While there is interest in creative approaches to philanthropy in the region,
Jacob’ s Pillow performs at The Common.( Courtesy of Mill Town Foundation)
others have expressed healthy skepticism about Mill Town’ s ability to bring outside resources to the region, although that is certainly something that many funders would welcome, as the problems in the
Berkshires extend beyond the geographic focus of some funders.
Lori Kiely, managing director of the Berkshire Bank Foundation, views Mill Town’ s plan to attract funding from
The Art of 20th Century Yiddish Poster Design: Theater, Politics, Lectures
Now on view at the Yiddish Book Center
Berserker Stand Up Tour josh blue fri oct 3 at 8pm
Dream Box / Moondial Tour pat metheny sat oct 4 at 8pm
1021 West Street Amherst, MA yiddishbookcenter. org david sedaris sun oct 5 at 4pm rennie harris
puremovement nuttin’ but a word sat oct 18 at 1pm
14 & 20 Castle St., Great Barrington, MA • mahaiwe. org
Fall 2025 BERKSHIRE MAGAZINE // 71