Karen Ponzio Photos
Acting ED Bruton: Trying to raise $50K in 8 weeks.
Best Video Film and Cultural Center is reaching out for help.
The Spring Glen third space — which has morphed over the years from a cool spot to seek out the most eclectic videotapes to a beloved gathering place where performances, speakers, and other live events happen alongside rows and rows of films that are old and new (and yes, there are still some videotapes) — has launched a fundraising campaign to keep the nonprofit afloat and sailing into its future.
So many new films. I've seen about 90 percent of them.
Cafe Con Miel: Best makes the best ones.
“We are reaching out today with a very simple message: Best Video is in trouble,” began an email sent out to subscribers on Monday, with a graphic stating: “Best Video needs your help.”
The email went on to state that though 2024 was “a great year for BVFCC in terms of events, outreach, and collaboration, our income fell short of our projections.” The message also noted that if the nonprofit can’t raise enough money, it would “most likely face closure.”
The goal is to raise $50,000 over the next eight weeks through this website. The appeal also went out through Facebook and Instagram posts.
The response thus far has been “wild,” according to acting Executive Director Raizine Bruton, with people calling, emailing, and showing up in person offering not only donations but words of encouragement, support, and concern.
The day the email went out, “there were a lot of phone calls from people saying, ‘Are you serious? We had no idea.’ So a lot of it has been talking to people and walking them through how things are at this point.” Many people hadn’t realized Best Video is a nonprofit.
Bruton, who had been administrative director and bookkeeper for Best, took on the role of acting executive director at the end of 2024 after Julie Smith stepped down. Smith currently serves as a board director, actively working with the rest of the board (all of whom including Smith are volunteers) on this fundraiser. The money raised will be used to “continue community programming,” “support our dedicated staff and strengthen our leadership,” and “remain a vital third space for the Greater New Haven community.” Click here to support Best Video by becoming a member.
Bruton promised “more robust programming” as well as “really working on reaching out to other nonprofits and working together,” in line with a recent collaboration with Lyric Hall in Westville.
Many people immediately showed their support by spreading the word about the fundraiser online. Hank Hoffman — former executive director and current volunteer board member — made a Facebook post on Monday that included the link to the fundraising page and has been shared 56 times in two days. Multiple performers, artists, members, and even local businesses have shared the information and showed their support across social media platforms. While this reporter was at Best speaking to Bruton, multiple people stopped by with questions about donating as well as to offer words of encouragement and to express their love of the space. It was heartwarming to witness and to see Bruton express her gratitude with such joy.
“I can’t say thank you enough,” she said with a smile.
At a time when people are looking more closely at where and how they spend their money, many are realizing how imperative it is to support nonprofits. In the case of Best Video, that support helps keep it going and growing. That support keeps it the safe and inclusive place where the baristas know your order as well as your name, where you get a phone call if a movie you have been waiting for is finally available, where there are events for children, for adults of all ages, and for families, too, and where the local and the legendary (and the local legends) can work and play, but also a place that hopes to change in ways that can serve the community even better.
Ongoing monthly events include the Sleeping Giant Reading Series, Movie Trivia, and Lounge Night. Concerts feature music ranging from jazz to punk to bluegrass.
“We have to take care of each other,” said Bruton. “It sounds like a cliché, but this is that in action.”
As of Wednesday night, only two days after they first announced their plea, Best Video had raised over $33,000 of their $50,000 goal. Please click here to view the fundraising page and make a donation, or you can contact Best Video directly via their website regarding membership or their other programs.
Big Fat Combo at Best Video, August 2023.
The Lost Tribe performance and screening of Diaspora Stories: Hartford in February 2024.