In February 2022, The Cummings Foundation announced a transformative $12.5 million gift to the college. The gift will support the school in continuing to develop new programs that excite students and meet the evolving workforce needs of the region’s leading industries. This support will also further aid students in defraying the costs of post-secondary education. In recognition of the transformational nature of the commitment—nearly equivalent to the school’s annual operating budget—the college became the Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology, now commonly known as Franklin Cummings Tech.
This multi-year pledge reflects Bill and Joyce Cummings’ interest in expanding the reach of Cummings Foundation to include organizations that feature innovative and dynamic approaches to workforce development and create greater opportunities for communities that have historically lacked access to higher education and the career pathways it provides. The college’s focus on new growing fields like clean tech, life sciences, and other technical careers aligned with Cummings Foundation’s interest in this area.
Additionally, Franklin Cummings Tech is one of 140 local nonprofits to receive grants through Cummings Foundation’s $25 Million Grant Program for 2022. The College will receive $100,000 over four years to increase diversity in technology fields and the building trades by providing access, equity, and multiple pathways into skilled careers. Cummings Foundations’ generous grant will fund student scholarships and help the College train and place more skilled workers from diverse backgrounds into high-demand, good paying technology careers.
