PITTSFIELD – The Berkshire Museum has been awarded a $500,000 challenge grant from the Kresge Foundation. The grant to the capital campaign "A Wider Window" is contingent upon the museum raising an additional $1.6 million by May 1, 2008.
"We are so proud that the prestigious Kresge Foundation has recognized the importance of this renovation, the strength of our campaign and fundraising capacity, and the support of our community," said Stuart A. Chase, executive director. "This is an important opportunity for the community to show their support to the Berkshire Museum. As we enter the final stretch of this campaign and begin construction on Phase II, we ask everyone who appreciates and benefits from the Berkshire Museum to step up, give, and make this crucial project a reality. By giving now, individuals can know that their contribution goes even farther. All gifts from this point forward will contribute to securing the half-million dollars from Kresge in the final stage of our campaign."
"The campaign has been tremendously successful and we still have more than $1 million to go," said Michael A. Christopher, chairman of the museum’s campaign cabinet. "We are confident that the community will rise to the occasion in recognition of the century of service the Berkshire Museum has provided to generation after generation. At this stage in the campaign, every gift, no matter the amount, counts tremendously. We hope that our community will be inspired by The Kresge Foundation’s stamp of approval to help us achieve this goal."
The campaign has raised 78 percent of its funds from community and private donors, and 22 percent from government sources, including a $670,000 matching grant from the Massachusetts Cultural Facilities Fund earlier this month.
Construction on Phase II — which includes the climate control (HVAC) system and the 3000-square foot Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation - began officially on Sept. 18. To complete the Phase II renovation and move on to Phase III (visitor amenities including a passenger-operated elevator, improved restrooms and museum shop and an improved education center), the museum must raise funds through private and public donors.
The Kresge Foundation is a $3 billion national foundation whose mission is to build stronger nonprofit organizations — catalyzing their growth, helping them connect with their stakeholders, and challenging them with grants that leverage greater support. The foundation concentrates its programming on capital campaigns as a key opportunity for nonprofit growth. At its September meeting, foundation's board awarded $45.5 million to nonprofit organizations in 29 states and the District of Columbia. The Kresge Foundation has been a driving force in the building of facilities for nonprofit organizations in the United States for 83 years. Its Capital Challenge Grant Program, which awards an organization a financial grant if it raises an agreed-upon amount of funds from private sources, has helped communities across the country build libraries schools, hospitals, museums, community centers and food banks, among other projects.
Key goals of the foundation are to help leverage support from new donors and to solicit higher levels of giving from past contributors. By retaining these new and increased donors, stronger, sustainable organizations are positioned to achieve their missions and strengthen communities.
The museum is at 39 South St. on Route 7. The galleries are open Monday through Saturday, 10 to 5, and Sundays noon to 5. For more information: (413) 443-7171, Ext. 10, or berkshiremuseum.org.
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NAMIBC Kicks Off Mental Health Awareness Month
PITTSFIELD, Mass. In honor of May's Mental Health Awareness Month (MHAM), the National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County (NAMIBC) and advocates across the country, are raising awareness of mental illness and supporting individuals in their mental health journey.
This year, NAMI Berkshire County is helping emphasize the importance of normalizing mental health care by hosting a fundraising and awareness event: NAMIWalks Berkshire County at 5pm on May 3 in collaboration with First Fridays at Five.
"It is essential to foster an open and safe environment for sharing stories, and during Mental Health Awareness Month, we are calling on mental health advocates across the country to come together and address the stigma around mental health by providing testimonies and offering support," explains Melissa Helm, Executive Director of NAMI Berkshire County. "NAMIWalks Berkshire County encourages everyone to prioritize and talk about their mental well-being without feeling guilty or ashamed; because mental health affects each and every one of us."
The non-profit encourages all Berkshire County residents to register for NAMIWalks Berkshire County online at namiwalks.org/berkshirecounty. The event is free to attend, however, anyone who raises over $100 in support of the nonprofit's mission to provide free mental health support, education and advocacy to anyone in the Berkshires, will receive an official 2024 NAMIWalks t-shirt.
"It takes a village to ensure the continued success of our mission, and we're grateful to have one of the best here in the Berkshires. Thank you to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. and First Fridays at Five for partnering with us to make this event possible; and thank you to our event sponsors: Center for Motivation and Change Berkshires, Berkshire Health Systems, The Brien Center, Greylock Federal Credit Union, Lenco Armored Vehicles, Brown and Brown Insurance, Mountain One, Miraval Berkshires, Massachusetts Behavioral Health Helpline, Teton Management and Cintas,' Helm continues.
Check-in for NAMIWalks Berkshire County will begin at 5pm with the opening ceremony taking place on the First Fridays at Five main stage at 6pm with the walk directly following. Participants will walk from the main stage at Park Square up North Street towards the hospital, around Berkshire Medical Center, and back down North Street to the Main Stage.
NAMI Berkshire County is pleased to offer additional Mental Health Awareness Month events throughout May:
Thursday, May 2: Live rendition of Every Brilliant Thing at Miraval Berkshires at 7pm. Tickets on sale at namibc.org/EBT.
Friday, May 3: Live rendition of Every Brilliant Thing at Hotel on North at 7pm. Tickets on sale at namibc.org/EBT.
Wednesday, May 15: Benefit Bingo at Hot Plate in Pittsfield.
Tuesday, May 21: Dine to Donate at the Locker Room in Lee.
The non-profit also highlights upcoming MHAM events being held by their community partners, such as:
May 11: Love of T Foundation's May-nia Comedy Show at Dorothy's.
May 26: The Brien Center's Community Conversations at Lenox Library.
For more information on Mental Health Awareness Month and to download materials like social media content and graphics, visit nami.org/MentalHealthMonth.
The National Alliance on Mental Illness of Berkshire County is a local affiliate of the nation's largest grassroots mental health organization dedicated to improving the lives of individuals and families affected by mental illness. NAMI BC offers information about mental illness conditions, symptoms and treatment at www.namibc.org or through the NAMI HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264).
Learn more and get involved: namibc.org and @namiberkshire on Instagram.
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