Amherst College Makes $2.5 Million Gift to the Town of Amherst
Photo: amherst.edu
Source: amherstma.gov
Amherst College Makes $2.5 Million Contribution to the Town of Amherst
As part of a broader commitment to the community beyond its campus, Amherst College is making a $2.5 million contribution to the Town of Amherst, President Michael A. Elliott announced today (2/6). Split into three $750,000 payments over the 2026, 2027 and 2028 fiscal years, the annual contributions include $250,000 each year for the Amherst Public Schools and Amherst Regional Public Schools (ARPS), $250,000 each year for fire and ambulance services, and $250,000 each year for roads, sidewalks, and public infrastructure in the Business Improvement District. The pledge also includes a one-time contribution earmarked for improvements to a new fire station or replacement of the Department of Public Works building. These contributions were preceded by pledges the college made to the Drake performance venue, Cooley Dickinson Hospital and Jones Library in 2022 and another contribution to the Jones in 2023.
“I believe that the communities surrounding the college are an essential component of the educational experience of our students,” said Elliott, “and I want the residents of Amherst to know that we are deeply committed to the long-term success of—and our partnership with—the town. Our direct support of its municipal institutions will further the critical role that they play for Amherst citizens, including so many at the college. We look forward to continued dialogue with town leaders in our effort to be good listeners and a thoughtful, strategic partner in tackling the challenges ahead.”
“I thank Amherst College for these contributions to the town,” said Amherst Town Manager Paul Bockelman. “The college plays a significant role in the economic and intellectual vitality of the community. Beyond that, the college is a valued partner in addressing the many challenges before us. These financial contributions are a generous recognition of our shared needs and values. A vibrant, fiscally stable town is vital to the success of Amherst College. I look forward to continuing the dialogue with President Elliott and leaders of the College.”
The college has long been a major contributor to the economic vitality of the region, including existing and ongoing contributions to the community totaling over $600,000 annually, as well as direct support for the Jones Library renovation and expansion, ARPS and the Amherst Survival Center. The college offers free courses to ARPS students and donates more than 10 tons of food annually to local food banks and shelters. All told, the new pledges bring the college’s total support for the town and the organizations to more than $1 million annually.
In addition to these direct contributions, the college currently generates approximately $484 million in annual economic activity and supports 2,720 jobs. Its students spend more than $1.5 million per year locally on groceries, dining, entertainment, clothing, and transportation. Additionally, dozens of students volunteer with the Amherst Public Schools and local nonprofits including Not Bread Alone and Amherst A Better Chance. The town, likewise, supplements and supports the college’s mission via its deep commitment to housing affordability and investment in roads, public infrastructure, a vital downtown, village centers, and miles of conservation trails. The donation serves to build on the already strong relationship between the two entities.
About Amherst College
Amherst College prepares students to use ideas to make a difference in the world. Since its founding in 1821 in Western Massachusetts, Amherst has demonstrated steadfast confidence in the value of the liberal arts and the importance of critical thinking. Today, its financial aid program is among the most substantial in the nation, and its student body is among the most diverse. Small classes, an open curriculum and a singular focus on undergraduate education ensure that leading scholars engage daily with talented, curious students, equipping them for leadership in an increasingly global and complex world.
Many thanks to Amherst College President Elliott and Amherst Town Manager Bockelman along with other town stakeholders for this positive decision. It is interesting to note that if one includes the College’s $1M contribution to the Library that this would total at least $1M annually to the Town for 3 years. It is also good to hear that President Elliott and Town Manager Bockelman promised to continue this contributory and collaborative conversation going forward. Amherst along with other local towns continue to face enormous budgetary and revenue pressures that will impact, if not degrade the quality of life that Amherst College deserves and offers for new student recruitment. Few colleges can recruit new students with a vibrant and varied downtown similar to Amherst’s. One example of the Town’s budgetary and revenue challenges is the unfortunate road conditions on the Town owned College Street which deserves re-grading, new paving and significant improvements to the safety conditions of its cross walks for students. Driving this street at night with its 6 pedestrian crosswalks is a very stressful experience. And rainfall offers almost zero visibility. But again, many thanks and appreciation to Amherst College and President Elliott for this very positive contributory agreement. Cheers! Huzzah!
What is striking is that in the town budget about 48% is for schools, but 70% of this gift goes elsewhere. I support Fire, road repair, etc., and yet wonder why the Town Manager and Superintendent agreed to such a poor deal for the schools especially given the huge deficits they face? Amherst College’s mission is an educational one and yet they also contributed the least there.