11/09/2019 – The college received a $1M grant from the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation. The gift is contingent on the college’s plans to remain independent and move to a new campus at 1003-1013 Harrison Ave. in Roxbury’s Nubian Square. This critical of seed support further positions the Institute to continue its mission of student success and career-readiness in technology fields.
“We are grateful for the generosity and foresight of this gift from the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation,” said Aisha Francis, CEO and now President. “As the college looks to the future, this gift underscores how much support there is for the College to remain a strong autonomous institute and continue its mission at a new campus serving Greater Boston from the heart of Roxbury. Our region and the students we serve deserve the culturally relevant 21st century training for high-demand technical careers that this college provides.”
This gift launched the college’s capital efforts to raise the funds needed to complete its new campus on the property it owns at 1011 Harrison Avenue while preserving as much capital as possible for an endowment to protect the financial future of the school and provide scholarships. This award served as a catalyst to challenge other funders to match the Hamilton Foundation’s level of support.
“There’s no denying Benjamin Franklin Institute’s importance to the economic vitality of the city of Boston and its residents,” said Ronald Brown, Chairman of the Hamilton Company Charitable Foundation. “This grant will help the college invest in the future of Nubian Square, where they will continue to make a difference in the lives of communities of color who comprise the majority of their students. We’re also happy to help the college boost the local economy via development of a training institute that will contribute to the strength and growth of the city of Boston.”