Mill Town Foundation Receives 2026 LEAP Award

07:27AM / Thursday, October 15, 2026Print Story | Email Story

Mary Skelton Roberts (CEO, Philanthropy MA), Andy Wrba (Mill Town Foundation), Peter Taylor (Board Member Philanthropy MA)

BOSTON, Mass. — Mill Town Foundation has received the 2026 LEAP Award from Philanthropy Massachusetts, recognizing the Foundation's action-oriented, place-based approach to philanthropy and its work supporting communities in Pittsfield and throughout Berkshire County.

The Foundation was recognized at Philanthropy Massachusetts' 57th Annual Conference on Sept. 29 in Boston.

The LEAP Awards honor individuals and organizations whose work exemplifies the organization's four strategic pillars: Learn, Engage, Act, and Partner.

Philanthropy Massachusetts highlighted Mill Town Foundation's approach to bringing together partners across arts and culture, education, outdoor recreation, wellness, leadership development, and community development, describing the Foundation as a model for creative investment in long-term community vitality.

"This recognition reflects the way we've approached our work from the beginning: stay close to the community, build strong partnerships, and move from ideas to action," said Andy Wrba, Program Director of Mill Town Foundation. "We're fortunate to work alongside nonprofits, schools, artists, local leaders, and residents who bring tremendous expertise and commitment to the Berkshires. This honor reflects that collective work, and we're grateful to Philanthropy Massachusetts for the recognition."

Mill Town Foundation combines strategic grantmaking with direct programs, place-based investments, and partnerships designed to respond to community opportunities and strengthen the region.

Recent initiatives include Let It Shine, which brings artists, schools, and community partners together to create public art throughout Pittsfield; leadership investments supporting emerging and established Berkshire County leaders; and the Core Impact Awards, recognizing Pittsfield Public Schools educators and school staff making a meaningful difference for students.

The Foundation also launched the Finish Line Fund in partnership with the Josh Billings RunAground, mobilizing race participants and donors to raise more than $31,000 for Berkshire County nonprofits in its inaugural year. Its investments in outdoor recreation and neighborhood infrastructure include the recently completed multi-sport mini-pitch at Crane Park in Pittsfield, developed in collaboration with local and statewide partners.

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Neal Tours Berkshire Innovation Center as Pittsfield's Tech Economy Grows

By Sabrina DammsiBerkshires Staff
05:38PM / Thursday, October 15, 2026

PITTSFIELD, Mass. —Congressman Richard Neal visited the Berkshire Innovation Center Thursday to highlight $735,000 in federal funding secured for a new cybersecurity training and testing facility.

"The number one job of the federal government is to provide for the security of its people. I mean, we should never lose sight of that, whether it's China or Russia, every single day there are these belligerents that are attempting to infiltrate national security here in the United States, and we should not be naive about it," Neal said. "I mean, we can have an argument about proportionality; we can do a lot of different things, but not to miss the point of what they're trying to do every day."

The new cybersecurity facility will provide regional manufacturers and businesses with research and design equipment, specialized lab space, and training facilities and is planned to be housed in a to-be-redeveloped space across the street from the Berkshire Innovation Center (BIC), located at 45 Woodlawn Ave.

The derelict property, formerly owned by General Electric, is now known as the William Stanley Business Park.

The project is a $7.2 million dollar investment from the state, $5.2 million from the tech collaborative, $2 million from bond funding secured by Neal, and $1 million that will be split into two phases: $500,000 for BIC to begin building and $500,000 for Myrias Optics to start production in Pittsfield, said Mayor Peter Marchetti.

BIC Executive Director Ben Sosne said manufacturers often highlight the need for help with cybersecurity, particularly in meeting the security requirements necessary to conduct business with General Dynamics and other major contractors.

Collaborators in the field and the public sector have recognized the need that has only grown since technology has advanced and is a great career opportunity, Sosne said.

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