Roxbury, MA Benjamin Franklin Cummings Institute of Technology has received a $2.5 million grant from the Yawkey Foundation. Announced at the topping off ceremony for Franklin Cummings Tech’s new Nubian Sq. campus building, the grant will support the creation of the campus’s new student center and strengthen the mission of Boston’s only technical college as it marks a new era in its history.
“We are grateful for the Yawkey Foundation’s support for almost two decades, and we are honored to receive such a generous gift from the Yawkey Foundation that will create a welcoming, inclusive, and collaborative space for our student population,” said Dr. Aisha Francis, president and CEO of Franklin Cummings Tech. “The Yawkey Student Lounge will be the heart of our new campus, providing a special place for our students to study, connect with each other, and network with industry partners. The Foundation’s contribution is not only an investment in our Franklin Cummings Tech and our students, but also an investment in the future of Nubian Sq.”
Since 2006, the Yawkey Foundation has been a longstanding supporter of Franklin Cummings Tech; with the Foundation previously providing ongoing financial support for third-semester scholarships, work-readiness programs, tutoring services, and wraparound support for students – 73% of which are students of color and 46% of which are first-generation college students.
The Yawkey Foundation’s new commitment signifies a meaningful investment in the college’s new future in Roxbury and continued values of work readiness, economic mobility, and equitable access to resources.
“The Yawkey Foundation’s commitment to supporting educational institutions like Franklin Cummings Tech is at the heart of our mission to make a positive impact on the lives of people across Massachusetts and beyond,” said Maureen H. Bleday, CEO of the Yawkey Foundation. “Franklin Cummings Tech plays an important role in creating pathways to economic opportunity through education, a commitment that mirrors the dedication of Jean and Tom Yawkey to personal success and supporting those most in need.”
The “Yawkey Student Lounge” on the third floor of Franklin Cummings Tech’s campus will encompass tutoring and career services, designed to serve as an educational hub for group work, student clubs and activities, career fairs, and professional development events.
Franklin Cummings Tech’s $40 million, 68,000 sq. ft. state-of-the-art building marks a new era for the college. Located at 1011 Harrison Ave, the Roxbury campus will support the college in expanding its dynamic and entrepreneurial curricula designed to put graduates on a path to prosperity while building the skilled, diverse workforce needed for Massachusetts’s economy. The event was attended by over 50 members of the Franklin Cummings Tech community; including elected officials, construction partners, students, faculty, and alumni; with remarks given by Councilor Fernandes Anderson and Franklin Cummings Tech president and CEO, Aisha Francis.