Foundation will formalize and amplify firm’s philanthropic efforts; unique employee directed giving component will broaden impact throughout the region

Fontaine Bros. Inc., a construction management and general contracting firm serving the public and private sectors since 1933, announced it has established a corporate foundation. The Fontaine Community Foundation, led by Fontaine’s Director of Diversity, Inclusion and Community Impact Elizabeth Wambui, is committed to developing partnerships with organizations that help build stronger communities with a mission to contribute to the common good. The Foundation envisions communities that thrive in quality education, have access to affordable healthcare, and have the resources to help young people grow and learn.

“Through the Fontaine Community Foundation, we can further enhance and expand our commitment to supporting the communities where we build and where our colleagues and clients live and work,” said Dave Fontaine, Jr., Vice President, Fontaine Bros.

A unique feature of the Fontaine Community Foundation is that each Fontaine team member will be able to direct a portion of the Foundation’s annual giving to worthy organizations and causes of their choosing.

“By creating and funding an employee directed giving component of the Foundation’s efforts, we are excited to not only connect with a broad range of worthy causes that are personally important to our team members, but also to create and grow the habit of philanthropic giving at every level of our organization” said Elizabeth Wambui, Executive Director of the Fontaine Community Foundation.

This summer, the Foundation will host an inaugural golf tournament at Longmeadow Country Club, 400 Shaker Road in Longmeadow, on August 8, 2022.

Proceeds from the tournament, which includes 18 holes of golf, lunch, and an evening program, will benefit dozens of organizations including the Nativity School of Worcester, the Thomas J. O’Connor Animal Control Center, and many more throughout Massachusetts.

To learn more about the foundation or the golf tournament, please reach out to .

On March 28, 2022 the Baker-Polito administration announced the designation of eight new Early College programs including Narragansett Regional High School (NRHS) in partnership with Mount Wachusett Community College and Fitchburg State University.

Early College programs provide college exposure to students in high school who might otherwise not have considered higher education as an option. The Early College Designation put forth by the Massachusetts Bord of Higher Education (BHE) and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) states that approved designated early college programs in Massachusetts will provide equitable access; guided academic pathways; enhanced student support; relevant connection to career; and effective partnerships.

“We are proud to receive this designation, and grateful to our faculty and staff for supporting opportunities for NRHS students to explore their career interests and related college programming more deeply,” stated NRHS Principal Colby Young.

The Governor’s FY23 budget proposal includes $7.3 million for early college funding, representing a significant increase over FY22, to bring the total annual investment to more than $18 million.

“Early college is an invaluable tool that supports increased college enrollment among participating students, particularly students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education, and helps them succeed once they arrive on campus,” said Governor Charlie Baker in a press release from the Executive Office of Education on March 28. “Today’s announcement will boost participation rates at schools that already have programs, as well as launch new and exciting programs that will create more pathways to college.”

“This new designation is evidence of the success our existing programs have seen to date,” notes MWCC President James Vander Hooven. “Our Early College programs have helped hundreds of students start a college career that they might otherwise not have considered.”

“Early College programs improve outcomes and open doors of opportunity for students, and we are honored to build upon our record of success by adding Narragansett Regional High School to our list of partners,” Fitchburg State President Richard S. Lapidus said.

MWCC Early College programs have grown exponentially in recent years and currently include partnerships with Gardner High School, Gardner Academy for Learning and Technology, Leominster High School, Leominster Center for Excellence and Leominster Center for Technical Education Innovation, Fitchburg High School, the Sizer School, and now Narragansett Regional High School. Recruiting is now on-going for fall 2022.