Launching the Emergency Relief Fund

One week ago, on April 14, 2026, Hampshire College announced its closure, with most staff and faculty positions ending on June 16 and no severance provided to employees.

Since then, a small group of staff, faculty, and alumni has been working to establish a structure to quickly support Hampshire staff and faculty facing sudden job loss. The resulting Help Hampshire Workers: Emergency Relief Fund is a direct, community-led response to provide financial support for immediate needs—housing, food, healthcare, and other basic expenses—and will be distributed based on need.

Over the past 24 hours, over 130 folks have made donations to our Emergency Relief Fund—please continue to share the word!

Funds will be distributed based on need. We are working with a fiscal sponsor (Sundial Initiative Inc. via alum Joey Carey 02F) to receive donations, and are working to assemble a process with community partners to distribute funds as quickly and fairly as possible.

To current Hampshire Staff and faculty: Please watch your email and intranet postings for more information on planning, how to get involved, and upcoming instructions for requesting support.

To our friends and supporters — If you’re able, please donate and share this effort with your networks. Thank you ❤️

Lorenzo Conte is the Director of the Hampshire College Art Gallery.