Thank you to all these businesses, artists, and families for their support and contributions to support the Levitate Foundation and for their belief in our mission.
Art Donors & Board Members
Art Donors & Board Members
ART DONORS:
Zella Swain
Thomas Deininger
Mae Cheverette
Kinsey Hotchkiss
Rachel Nerger
Spencer Morecroft
Julia Messinger
Robert Babcock
Thom Nyugen
Woody Gouch
Meg Haywood-Sullivan
Michael Sullivan
Liz Haywood-Sullivan
Karla Hunter
Alexis Wells
Colin McGuire
Brian Butler
Beth Bailey
Kora O'Donnell
Aldous Collins
Tiff McCarthy
Olivia Rowell
Isabella McCredie
Andy Jacobs
Ed Farrington - Chairman
Dan Hassett - President
Billy Phalen
Britt Ryan
Chad Bruce
Chris Cunio
Chris Sherman
Jeff Picard
Jess Hassett
Katie Galaviz
Ryan Vangel
Sandy Olney
Stephen Buckler
Thomas Cussins
Mark Bossey
Impact to Date Impact to Date
Made Possible by Your Support
$400K+ $400K+ 4,000+ 4,000+
350+ 350+
4 4 songwriters
50+ 50+ Community Creative projects funded
100+ 100+
Dear Levitate Community,
What a year! As we look back on year three of The Levitate Foundation, we are immensely grateful for the impact, creative community projects, and life-changing opportunities for artists that have been brought to fruition, all thanks to you. Yes you. Whether you were a donor, a volunteer, a sponsor, a grantee, or a customer at Levitate, you contributed to the impact we’ve created together in 2025.
Riding the growing wave of support and momentum from 2024, We kept the coals hot on our existing programs — Send A Kid To Camp and Creative Community Grants — and we were able to launch The Emerging Artist Series with our First annual songwriter’s showcase, extending a hand to budding musicians and giving them a one of a kind opportunity to push their career forward.
Most importantly, year three gave us the opportunity to see the impact of what we’ve built together to date. Talking with grantees and artists, we heard story after story of how our shared efforts are sparking creativity, self-expression, and collaboration—breathing more art, connection, and inspiration into our community and beyond.
By the numbers, Because of your help over the last year, we have:
• Brought unique creative projects and programs to life by awarding over 50 Grants to community leaders, mentors, artists and summer camp organizations.
• Funded the Send A Kid To Camp program, providing scholarships that made summer camp accessible for over 200 kids, creating opportunities for South Shore children to experience the outdoors and engage with the arts.
• We doubled down on Creative Excellence scholarships, helping eight next generation artists pursue their academic dreams in the arts.
• Launched the emerging artist series, putting four boundary pushing emerging musicians on stage at Levitate Music Festival and providing a grant to bring their next album to life.
It has been an honor to help creators, educators, and artists dive deep into their craft and create access for over 4,000 people to do the same to date. And again, that would not be possible without you — your continued support is the lifeblood of these programs, and we are already excited for what’s next.
With heartfelt gratitude,
Pat Cullen Executive Director Levitate Foundation
communIty communItyGrants Grants
Uplifting Communities and creators by issuing grants to artists, creators, and leaders tackling creative, Community-focused projects.
Our grant programs from 2024 came back for another year of impact in 2025 — this time with an exciting update: we’ve merged our Passion Projects and Varsity Arts grants under one banner — Community Grants. And that’s the only thing that changed: we’re still in the business of supporting creators, mentors, and outdoorsmen aiming to tackle inspiring projects that will better their communities!
We’re firm believers that doing what you love, committing to your passions, and sharing your work and enthusiasm with those around you are key ingredients to becoming the best version of yourself and giving back to your community. Fortunately, and to no surprise, we’re not alone in this belief. In total, we have received over $300k in thoughtful grant requests, from folks across the region (and beyond!) eager to bring creativity, connection, and vibrancy to their community through creative community projects.
Thanks to both our supporters and the amazing members of the Levitate Community with big Dreams were able to help 25 incredible community projects come to life in 2025! In line with these grants being underpinned by creativity, there was no shortage of variety in these wonderfully impactful programs and projects. Some local leaders hosted free art workshops or developed evergreen creative programming for kids in need, some were local leaders in training – including a group of teens that put on a performance to inspire their community, and others introduced the next generation to their nature based passions by hosting educational and hands-on events.
Whether it’s teaching a craft to the next generation, creating art that inspires, or improving shared spaces, we’re proud to play a role in turning big ideas into reality thanks to your support!
Impact to date:
Access to the arts and outdoors for 3000+ people
50+ creators, mentors, organizers, and projects supported
$150k + awarded
Learn more about the projects we’ve backed to date and how you can get involved by scanning the QR code here!
Everybody draw everybody 2025 Project Highlights
• Youth Art Expo: Teaming up with local artist Zella Swain, 21 children were given top of the line art supplies, an inspirational brainstorming worksheet, and two weeks to create whatever their hearts desired, which was then displayed and sold (with proceeds going directly to Provincetown Art Association and Museum) at a raucous gallery opening!!
• Alice By Heart by Caitlin Visconti: High School Senior Caitlin Visconti is a rising community leader, and she approached The Levitate Foundation with a dream to fully produce a performance of “Alice By Heart” with her friends at a local theatre in Connecticut. The performance was free for her community, and inspiring those around her to tackle their next big community project!
• Mindfulness Art Club At Little Light Farm: Emmy from Little Light Farm approached us wanting to run Art workshops infused with mindfulness elements for members of her community to make sure everyone had access to their creative side, encouraging artists and those interested in the arts to pursue their interests.
Youth Art Expo
• Everybody Draw Everybody For Local Artists: Brian used his community grant to operate a free everybody draw everybody workshop for Artists, and Art Educators, and Art students. This workshop gave them a few inspired hours to create freely, away from the pressures that can accompany working in the arts and in the company of others looking to get in a self expressive groove.
“It was great to see our studio transform into a community space where others were comfortable and inspired.”
“This foundation was the push that made this teenage girl’s far-fetched idea come alive, and there will never be enough words to express my gratitude.”
Alice by Heart
Mindfulness Art Club
contInueD contInueDIMPACT IMPACT 2024 Community Grants Community Grants
Looking back on creative community projects and programs from 2024 that are continuing to make waves!
JPH at Ferry Hill
In 2024 we started the Levitate Foundation’s Community Grant initiative — originally named Passion Project and Varsity Arts grants — and saw how much potential there was to better our communities by empowering local leaders to create arts and outdoors focused projects and programs. We received some amazing reports and feedback from 2024 grantees, learning first hand how these programs quickly became a total game-changer, giving local leaders and creators the ability to tackle projects that would otherwise not be possible. Throughout the year, we’ve kept in close touch with our grantees as their projects continue to make an impact this year and beyond — from some of last year’s grantees:
Second Annual Art Throwdown
“On a personal note- just wanted to say these foundation events… have really brought back my enthusiasm for my own art. So thank you for doing these kinds of things that get me (and others like me)
EXCITED TO MAKE ART AGAIN”
Teaming up with JJ from Rawkstars INC. again for 2025 we helped JJ expand his signature music programs to now include the Boys and Girls club of Marshfield And The Boys and Girls Club Of Plymouth. JJ and his crew of talented musicians, music therapists, and teachers, have reinvented music programming at both the clubs, focusing on the student’s interest and sparking a lifelong passion for playing music!
• Second annual Art Throwdown: Back and somehow better than ever, Meghan Dinsmore and the MHS art department, hosted a dream project in The Art Throwdown Bringing 8th graders into the high school and connecting them with High School seniors for a day of collaborative creation! The kiddos walked out of this day feeling enriched, energized, and the 8th graders ready to sign up for art programs for their freshman year!
• Ordinary People Diving Extraordinary places: Charlie and a hardcore crew of divers pioneered a dive 100 miles out to sea at Cashes Ledge, where they documented what our coast looked hundreds of years ago: teeming with life and diversity that at large no longer exists in New England. They used the content from this trip to remind our region of the importance of protecting our oceans, and their work helped spark efforts to preserve this slice of history through long-lasting policy and protections.
• Webster’s Working Herb Garden: We teamed up with the The Daniel Webster Estate and a local eagle scout to create a working herb and vegetable garden at the Daniel Webster Estate, used to educate kids at Marshfield public schools about the town’s agricultural history, with all produce being donated directly to The Marshfield Food Pantry!
• Art Room Improvement Grant - JPH at Ferry Hill: Last year, we answered the call from JPH to help them improve their art space for the kids and adults who visit their space to connect with the land, themselves, and their creative side. In total, over 900 people of all ages and backgrounds used the space to get a mental boost from creating!
• Co Creative Sessions: Working with Dena Haden in both 2024 and 2025, we’ve supported her efforts to bring incredible, world-renowned artists to the Co-Creative Center in New Bedford, MA, where they lead workshops covering their journeys, creative practices, and business tips in the arts for her community. Dena also hosts hands-on workshops for folks of all ages and mentors local artists through this initiative — helping them launch, strengthen, and sustain their careers. In total, more than 1,000 people have accessed the arts through these sessions.
Art By Alexis
“Creating opportunities for emerging Songwriters to expand Their Audience and Create Freely”
emergIng artIst emergIng artIst Series Series
Presented By Napi
and Helen Van Dereck Trust
LEVITATE FOUNDATION
Songwriter's showcase
Introducing: Levitate Foundation Songwriter’s showcase!
All new for this year, The Songwriter’s Showcase was launched to confront one of the biggest issues facing emerging musicians today: there simply aren’t enough career-advancement opportunities for the remarkable amount of talented artists out there.
We started to wonder: What would happen if we gave up-and-coming musicians the opportunity to play on their biggest stage yet, the support they need to produce their next album, and the pedigree and guidance to take their creative journey to the next level? After running the Songwriter’s Showcase in 2025, we quickly learned that this operation would have an immeasurable amount of impact, and not just for the winning musicians but also their community, and other budding musicians.
The need for this program came into clear view immediately — when we opened up applications we received over 275 thoughtful DIY submissions from musicians across the country. We were blown away by the amount of undiscovered talent in need of support, and deeply touched by the way these artists spoke about their creative journeys and how impactful this opportunity would be. So, we listened to each submission twice and narrowed things down to 10 finalists, our panel of esteemed judges — led by Chadwick Stokes of Dispatch and 10 other industry pros — then selected four eclectic emerging songwriters who took over the Sun Stage at Levitate Music Festival in Marshfield, MA this past July.
Those four acts — Nate Ramos, Autumn Drive, Stella Starfox, and Samantha McKaige — each delivered energized, heartfelt sets that quickly became fan favorites for over 10,000 festival attendees. Nate Ramos, from right down the road in Plymouth MA, was awarded the title songwriter of the year and has been on a tear ever since the festival, performing at Leader Bank pavilion in Boston and Chiefs in Nashville.
And their journey with the Foundation will continue as each of these artists has received a $5,000+ grant to produce their next album. The preliminary reports are in and this grant has given these artists full access to professional studios, producers, and engineers for the first time, allowing them to create freely and truly bring their sound to life.
Learn more about the Songwriter Showcase, meet all ten finalists, and find out how to get involved in 2026
Autumn Drive
According to Strategic National Arts Alumni Project (SNAAP) only about 10% of arts degree graduates make their primary living as working artists
Stella Starfox
Coming in 2026
songwriter of the year nate Ramos
LEVITATE FOUNDATION
Visual Artists showcase
The roadmap isn’t always clear and the resources are rarely accessible to talented visual artists looking to pursue a life and career committed to their craft. The next steps can be daunting and skewed, and the opportunity for career advancement often comes down to opportunity and access. Enter: The Visual Artist showcase, where we will extend a hand and illuminate the path forward for 10 emerging artists and give them trajectory changing opportunities to pursue their craft in 2026.
Through this program, 10 emerging visual artists will receive $5,000 grants and the opportunity to showcase their work in front of 20,000+ people at the 2026 Levitate Music & Arts Festival, as well as at partner galleries throughout New England. Selected by a panel of artists, educators, gallery curators, and arts executives these grants are designed to open doors — helping artists keep the flame alive on their career in the arts by funding residencies, retreats, education, or passion projects they otherwise couldn’t.
At its core, this program is about providing artists with time to create works that are impactful, space to share their work and push their career forward, and putting these artists’ efforts and commitment on display for our community.
"Being an independent musician is very daunting and expensive, and it can be hard to find ways to create music and ways to get that music to be heard, but being given the opportunity to create my newest album with no financial stress, and having been able to showcase some of it at Levitate Music Festival last summer was such a gift, and I'm so grateful for it every day"
Samantha McKaige
Giving kids the chance to have an unforgettable summer exploring the arts and enjoying the great outdoors.
OVER 200 SUMMERS WERE MADE!
You Helped Kids Attend:
Boys and Girls Club Of Marshfield
Mass Audubon North River Nature Camp
Summer Elements
The Accord School Van Camp
South Shore Chorus Camp Summer
Summer ARTventures Camp
EXPLORE Pediatric Therapy
Duxbury Bay Maritime School
Happy Camp with Gnome Surf
In 2025, we funded scholarships and financial aid at local camps and programs to make sure every kid can enjoy their Summer through an incredible camp experience. New for this year, we added scholarships for enrichment programs – including music lessons and creative career training – so we can work towards making these experiences available for every kiddo!
Friends of Holly Hill Farm
North River Arts Society
Mckinney Vento - Marshfield Crossroads
Jesse Steiglich Music School
Break a Leg Theater Works
Hull Life Saving Museum
Launchspace Creative Sector Pathway
From the Parents From the Parents
“Being able to attend on a scholarship this summer changed everything. My child found so much peace, kindness, and outdoor education.”
“He always learns something new, loves the projects he makes, and comes home excited to play in the woods and show me what he’s learned.”
“I like that it is a nurturing environment where my kids do not even realize they are learning but they do”
Marshfield High School
creatIvIty creatIvItyAwards Awards Art Excellence & Art Excellence &
In the spirit of supporting emerging artists at the ground floor, the Levitate Foundation once again teamed up with the Marshfield High School Art Department and Art Club to raise funds for senior scholarship awards. This year, we were fortunate to award 8 scholarships to Marshfield High School students who are looking to pursue a career and life in the arts. We were excited to put them on stage at the Backyard Ball and display their art alongside some amazing local and international artists and sell some of their first pieces all while seeing how appreciative our community is to have them in it.
Catching up with Liv Rowell, 2025 Scholarship Awardee:
What does self expression and creating mean to you:
“Self-expression for me is shown through my art because sometimes words can't explain what I want to convey. I sometimes have to create something visually to show how I'm feeling. In high school, I focused my art on my childhood, painting portraits of myself as a child. Through this, I wanted to show how my creativity and love of art have always been with me and will never fade away. I also wanted to influence young artists to never give up on art and show them how much they can improve with practice. ”
What did being in the Backyard Ball Gallery mean to you:
“Being in the Backyard Ball Gallery was a huge honor for me. It felt really special to be part of something in the Levitate community and to see my work included alongside other artists. I don't usually get a chance to show my art to people, so it felt great to share something I'm super passionate about with others. The whole experience gave me more confidence and made me excited to keep creating.”
Liv Rowell
Featuring Songwriter of the Year Nate Ramos & The Revivalists
Back for 2025, the third annual Backyard Ball was the centerpiece of the summer — where supporters, friends, grantees, community leaders and artists came together for a night to celebrate our mission, surrounded by music, art, lively conversation, and all-time company. We took things to new heights (literally, for some of us) celebrating the impact we’d created together up to that point — dancing, dining, sinking a few at the ice luge, and reveling in the night with an incredible crew in support of a community made more vibrant by access to music, art, and the outdoors for all.
Over the last three years, with support from a wide ranging group of sponsors, friends, advocates and Levitate customers, with their support of Levitate and the 1% to the Foundation pledge — we have been able to embark on a one of a kind journey and make an incredible impact. At every turn, with every new idea and ambitious project we embark on, we have been met with an amazing amount of support and warmed by the willingness of our community to lend a hand to make our corner of the world a better place. Each summer, The Backyard Ball gives us a moment to gather and celebrate with the people who make this collective impact possible. This year was no exception — on top of the usual antics, Songwriter of the Year Nate Ramos opened the night, The Revivalists delivered a lights-out set, and we shared an evening of celebration with the community that makes this work possible and continues to inspire us each day. We could not be more grateful for everyone who made the evening so special and we look forward to tearing it up with everyone again in 2026!
songwriter of the year nate Ramos
300 300 Volunteers
Levitate Music & Arts Festival Volunteer Program
At our Levitate Music & Arts Festival, our volunteer program combined the efforts of the Levitate Foundation and the Boys & Girls Club to help support music, art, and camp programs at the Club and in our community. Over 400 people joined our volunteer crew to help park cars and scan tickets this year, helping raise money for a great cause.
Learn more about our volunteer opportunities here
Thank you to all these businesses, artists, and families for their support and contributions to support the Levitate Foundation and for their belief in our mission.
Every time you shop, dine, drink, or attend a show at Levitate, know that 1% goes to the Levitate Foundation.
Want to join our efforts? You can donate online today!
WAYS TO GET INVOLVED VOLUNTEER
Join the Volunteer Team at our upcoming events, including the Levitate Music Festival, beach cleanups + more! Head to levitatefoundation.org to learn more.
APPLY for creative community grants
We’re starting our grant process for 2026. Visit levitatefoundation.org to learn more.
Are you an ARTIST looking for support?
Visit levitatefoundation.org to learn more about support available via The Emerging Artist Series.
