The Middlesex Savings Charitable Foundation has named David Lavalley, Executive Director of The Center for Arts in Natick (TCAN), as its 2024 recipient of the John R. Heerwagen Award for Nonprofit Leadership. The Foundation has awarded a one-time grant of $20,000 to TCAN, to be used in a manner that he believes will benefit the organization.
Established in 2016, the John R. Heerwagen Award for Nonprofit Leadership recognizes a strong, nonprofit leader whose work has significantly benefited the lives and wellbeing of residents within the Foundation’s community. It reflects the support that John R. Heerwagen, former CEO of Middlesex Savings Bank, provided to the Foundation and its efforts to help strengthen local nonprofits and his belief in the importance of developing and recognizing strong leaders.
David Lavalley has served as Executive Director of The Center for Arts in Natick for more than 20 years. Since he joined the organization in 2004, TCAN has quadrupled in size, now attracting 30,000 patrons each year for concerts featuring nationally known musicians and comedians. During his tenure, TCAN has completed two successful capital campaigns, retired its remaining construction debt from the original restoration, made substantial repairs and enhancements to its historic facility, and created a state-of-the-art digital cinema room for movie screenings. TCAN also hosts a wide variety of community-based arts programs including community theater productions by TCAN Players, theater workshops for children, family concerts and regular exhibits featuring local visual artists and photographers. Through partnerships with the Natick Service Council and the South Middlesex Opportunity Council, TCAN provides free event tickets to deserving families within the region.
As this year’s honoree, David has elected to direct the grant towards professional development for TCAN staff members. “I have chosen to allocate these funds to underwrite professional development opportunities for TCAN’s staff members, supporting training programs that will enhance their technical skills, marketing and development expertise, and nonprofit and financial management capabilities,” said David Lavalley. “By investing in the growth of dedicated professionals who choose to work in the nonprofit arts sector, I hope we can not only strengthen TCAN’s capacity but also establish a sustainable approach to replenishing these funds over time, ensuring continued support for the talented individuals who make TCAN’s mission possible.”
