Founders Campaign

Mission and Goals

Funds raised through the campaign will strengthen MCI’s academics, arts and athletics programming and increase the School’s endowment. The goal for the campaign is $6.5 million.

$3.4 million will be used for:

• Repurposing the original math and science center to consolidate music, arts, drama and dance classes into one space.
• Improvements to Founders Hall, MCI’s original campus building. Final renovations involve refreshing architecturally significant details such as the building’s antique tin ceiling tile, floors and stairwells, in addition to creating a new corridor running from North to South, new restrooms, and accessibility upgrades including the addition of an elevator.

$2 million:

• Will be invested in the School’s endowment

$700,000:

• Enhancements to MCI’s athletic fields were funded out of the Founders Campaign and completed in 2015. This $700,000 investment created three new multipurpose fields and renovated existing fields, making it possible for all outdoor field sports teams to practice and play on campus for the first time in the School’s history. 

The $6.5 million capital campaign has kept the cost of raising the funds to just 5% of the goal, well under the national average of 10%.

Instructions for Making a Gift of Stock
Founders Campaign Pledge Form
Named Gift List

To date, the Founders Campaign has raised $5.8 million. Thanks to the generosity of alumni and friends, MCI has raised 90% of its $6.5 million goal.

Please read The Bell Tower, which contains current campaign news and updates:

August 2018

April 2018

The Koester Family Matching Challenge
Thanks to our generous donors, 100 percent of the $500,000 Koester Challenge has been matched!

Media Coverage
Read more in the School's press release for the campaign and please visit the following links for media coverage:

Bangor Daily News
Morning Sentinel
JR Cianchette Renovations (Bangor Daily News)
JR Cianchette Renovations (Morning Sentinel)
Meridian Lodge #125 Supports the Founders Campaign with $100,000 Gift (Bangor Daily News)
As Fundraising Continues, MCI Announces Record Total for Founders Campaign (Bangor Daily News)

Over 300 alumni, trustees, faculty, staff and friends of the School have given to MCI's historic Founders Campaign! Please view our full list of Founders Campaign Donors.   

 

Why I Give

"MCI gave me so many opportunities as a student. I am proud to continue my family’s long tradition of giving back to the School that has served our community so well for 150 years.  As an alumna and new faculty member, it is my pleasure to support the Founders Campaign!"     

Erin Fitts ’02

 

"MCI opened doors for me, a 'Townie,' athletically, socially, academically.  MCI stimulated my curiosity.  It gave me the analytical tools I needed to understand 'things' and to make stuff happen. MCI inspired me to explore my inner and outer worlds.  It taught me that hard work, personal responsibility, a positive attitude and EDUCATION would deliver 'success' regardless of how I chose to define “success.”  MCI “did good” by me and for that reason I give to the Founders Campaign so that future generations can experience the same great MCI education I was blessed to enjoy."  

Gregg Patterson ‘69

 

"I don’t feel like I am just investing in an institution but in the ideas and people I believe in. People who truly care about a town I grew up in and the youth from around the world that come to MCI to gain an amazing education and to experience what we did growing up. After living in various parts of the country it only makes me appreciate more the foundation I got from MCI and the wonderful community called Pittsfield. It is a tradition that I want to see kept alive for others to benefit from."  

Peg Olson ‘84

 

"As a Pittsfield native and alumnus, I appreciate the value and perspective that an MCI education provides for its student body.  We felt it was very important to support the Founders Campaign to help ensure that MCI can continue to thrive as the centerpiece of community pride and activity and to offer its unique international and multicultural learning environment to local students."  

Robert Cianchette ‘78 and Hillary Ginsberg

 

"During my first visit to MCI and Pittsfield, my husband’s alma mater and home town, I could see how special the School was, in every way.  I attended a traditional suburban Connecticut public high school and was totally unfamiliar with the idea of a Town Academy having both day and residential students from many different places in a small-town environment.  I was immediately captured by the unique role that MCI plays in the entire community, the dedication of its faculty and staff, the devotion of its alumni, and the spirit of its students.  It’s an honor to do everything I can for a place that provides extraordinary opportunities to so many people in so many ways."  

Elaine Patterson, Trustee

 

"I supported the Founders Campaign because our students, faculty, and community will benefit from the planned improvements.  Also, as a member of the Class of 1984 I feel we all have a responsibility to give back to the School that truly has shaped our lives."

Eric Thompson ‘84

Board of Trustees 2019-20

Campaign Executive Committee: Christopher M. McDonald, Head of School; Alicia Nichols, Dean of Advancement; Norbert Young Jr. ’66; Joseph Roberts, Assistant Director of Advancement; Robert Cianchette '78.

Marketing Committee: Peter Fendler ‘80; Christopher M. McDonald; Elaine Patterson; Eric Thompson ’84; Dan Tilton; Norbert Young Jr. ‘66.

Solicitor Team: Timothy Archibald ‘84; Robert Cianchette ‘78; Doug Cummings; Peter Fendler ‘80; Ross Fitts ‘78; Christopher M. McDonald; Laurie Fitts Loosigian ’71; David MacGown ‘86; Peg Olson ‘84; Joseph Roberts; Eric Thompson '84; Norbert Young, Jr. ‘66.

Campaign Architect: Timothy Archibald ’84, AIA, NCARB, Midwest Architecture Studio

Campaign Manager: Alicia J. Nichols