Home
Focus Areas
About Us
When you think of Berkshire County, Massachusetts, you probably don't think of the Great Depression.
But when you think of the crumbling chimneys on Ventfort Hall, the 19th-century mansion that's been home to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for more than a century, you probably also think of the Roaring Twenties.
And that's exactly what happened to the building in Pittsfield, which was hit hard by the Great Depression, the Boston Globe reports.
According to the Berkshire Eagle, four of the six brick chimneys on the mansion's west side were knocked to the ground by falling masonry in the early 1900s.
They were later removed, but not before causing thousands of dollars in damage.
Now, thanks to a fundraising effort, four of the six brick chimneys will be up and running in time for the college's 100th anniversary in 2023, the Globe reports.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity," Ventfort Hall's executive director tells the Globe.
"It's a once-in-a-lifetime thing to be able to do."
According to the Eagle, Ventfort Hall was built on the site of the original Thomas Jefferson home, which was destroyed in a plane crash during the Great Depression
Selected Grant News Headlines
A customized collection of grant news from foundations and the federal government from around the Web.
"We believe in the transformative power of AI and its potential to create positive change," says Anita Whitehead, head of impact at audit, tax, and advisory firm KPMG, which this week announced an...more
Michigan wants to make its ports more energy efficient and less reliant on fossil fuels. The state's Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy is seeking proposals to create a maritime...more
The president of the University of Dubai was among dozens of women honored for their achievements in business, health, media, the arts, and technology at the fourth annual Excellence Awards in Dubai...more
Three women from Australia's Indian community have been named in the country's Order of Australia for their contributions to society. Harinder Kaur, 29,Niharika Hiremath, 29, and Sakshi Thakur,...more
It's that time of year again: the time of year when many of us crank up our air-con and head out for a dip in the pool. But what if we told you that summer is also a great time to get outside and...more
Babangida Zama is a 23-year-old college student in Kano, Nigeria. He's also the leader of the group that won the Rising Awareness Action pitch competition on Saturday, receiving a $100,000 grant...more
When Chuck Petersheim heard a high school football team in Pike County, Pa., needed funds for a trip to Florida, he decided to pony up. The Greater Pike Community Foundation recently announced...more
"Politics is like a quilt formed of hundreds of patches that come together, creating security and strength," Michael Mantha writes in the Sault Star. "I know from experience that great things can...more
The city of Fremantle, Australia, has given more than $66,000 to 11 community, youth, and arts organizations in a bid to "make Freo a more inclusive, vibrant, and creative place," Mayor Hannah...more
Foundation: Marin Community Foundation
Over the next three years, the Marin Community Foundation will spend $30 million to support 80 nonprofits in Marin County, Calif., the San Francisco Chronicle reports. That's a big change for the...more
Social Entrepreneurship
Spotlight
Social Entrepreneurs to Get Free WiFi Access
iPass, a telecommunications provider, will give free internet access to 100 non-government organizations (NGOs) for a year as they work in dangerous countries to help its poor and underserved populations.
