Feigenbaum Foundation Inc

Quick Stats

Annual Giving: $3,378,042 (2023)
Total Assets: $76-88 million
Grant Range: $1,000 - $500,000
Median Grant: $16,000
Number of Grants: 99 awards (2023)
Geographic Focus: Berkshire County, Massachusetts (primary); also Connecticut and New York
Application Deadlines: December 31 (January review) and April 30 (May review)

Contact Details

Website: www.feigenbaumfoundation.org
Address: 2 South Street, Suite 235, Pittsfield, MA 01201
Phone: 413-499-2880
Fax: 413-443-7548
Email: Available through website contact form

Overview

The Feigenbaum Foundation was established in 1988 by brothers Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum and Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum to formalize and perpetuate their long-standing charitable giving. The brothers, who founded General Systems Company—a pioneering international systems engineering firm specializing in Total Quality Management—had a deep respect and love for the Berkshires region of Massachusetts. Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum was the developer of the "Total Quality Control" concept and received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President George W. Bush in 2008. Donald died in March 2013 and Armand in November 2014. The Foundation continues their legacy with approximately $76-88 million in assets, distributing over $3.3 million annually to nonprofit organizations primarily serving Berkshire County. The Foundation has made transformational gifts including $11 million to Union College, $5 million to Berkshire Theatre Group, $5 million to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts, and $2.5 million to Berkshire Museum.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

The Foundation awards grants ranging from $1,000 to $500,000, with a median grant of $16,000. Grants are reviewed twice annually in January and May.

Recent Notable Grants (2023):

Union College: $500,000 (building restoration, professorship, and forum sponsorship)
Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts: $400,000 (endowment/capital campaign)
Berkshire Family YMCA: $252,245 (building renovations)
Colonial Theatre Association: $250,000 (operating support)

Priority Areas

As stated in their Statement of Purpose, the Foundation focuses on six areas (with no stated priority order):

Education in technology, engineering, and management
Academic institutions and disciplines
Medical institutions and disciplines
Cultural programs and projects
Community-based tax-exempt organizations in Berkshire County
Established religious institutions, programs, and projects

The Foundation also provides funding for the arts, social services, and Jewish temples and federated giving programs.

What They Don't Fund

While the Foundation does not publish an explicit exclusions list, the following can be inferred:

Organizations not providing services consistent with their Statement of Purpose
Organizations without 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
Organizations located outside the Berkshires that do not provide primary benefits to the region
Individual grants (they fund organizations, not individuals)

Governance and Leadership

Current Leadership

Emil George - President ($200,000 compensation)
Richard A. Lombardi - Treasurer ($60,000)
Michael Ferry - Director ($42,000)

Founders

Dr. Armand V. Feigenbaum (1920-2014) Developer of the "Total Quality Control" concept, Dr. Armand Feigenbaum was President and CEO of General Systems Company. He received bachelor's degree from Union College, master's from MIT Sloan School of Management, and Ph.D. in Economics from MIT. He served as president of the American Society for Quality (1961-1963) and was founding chairman of the International Academy for Quality. In 2008, he received the National Medal of Technology and Innovation from President George W. Bush.

Dr. Donald S. Feigenbaum (died 2013) Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of General Systems Company. He earned a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from Union College (1946) and received honorary doctorates from Union College, University of Massachusetts, and Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. He served on numerous Berkshire County boards including Berkshire Museum, Berkshire Theatre Festival, Colonial Theatre Association, and Berkshire Medical Center.

Leadership Quote

Emil George, Foundation President: "The foundation was established to improve the quality of life particularly for those institutions in Berkshire County with an emphasis on education, science, technology and management."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications can be submitted through two methods:

Online: Complete the Formstack online application form
Hard Copy: Download the application cover sheet and guidelines from the Foundation website

Eligibility Requirements

Must be a private, non-profit 501(c)(3) organization
Must provide services consistent with the Foundation's Statement of Purpose
Organizations located in or providing primary benefits to the Berkshires are preferred

Decision Timeline

January Review: Applications due by December 31
May Review: Applications due by April 30
The committee reviews grant applications periodically throughout the year

Important Note: "Granting of funds does not imply further commitment from the Foundation."

Success Rates

99 grants awarded in 2023
93 grants awarded in 2022
92 grants awarded in 2021
75 grants awarded in 2020

The Foundation has steadily increased its number of grants from 21 in 2013 to 99 in 2023.

Application Success Factors

Based on the Foundation's stated priorities and pattern of giving, successful applications should:

Demonstrate strong Berkshire County connection: The founders had a deep love for the Berkshires. Organizations located in or providing primary benefits to the region are strongly preferred—94 of 99 grants in 2023 went to Massachusetts organizations.
Align with education, science, technology, and management: Emil George has stated the foundation emphasizes "education, science, technology and management." Projects with an innovation focus are particularly valued, as evidenced by major gifts to science centers and innovation halls.
Support cultural institutions: The Foundation has made transformational gifts to arts organizations including Berkshire Theatre Group ($5 million), Colonial Theatre, and Berkshire Museum ($2.5 million). George noted: "The brothers always acknowledged the importance of the performing arts and education to Pittsfield and the Berkshire community."
Serve established community institutions: The Foundation tends to support institutions with demonstrated track records. George stated about the Colonial Theatre: "It really changed the game at a time when Pittsfield was reeling from the loss of its single largest employer" and called it "a treasure historically [that] should be sustained for future generations."
Demonstrate commitment to innovation and quality: Given the founders' legacy in Total Quality Control, projects emphasizing innovation, continuous improvement, and excellence may resonate. The Foundation's $500,000 gift to upgrade the Feigenbaum Hall of Innovation at Berkshire Museum supports "subsequent renovations annually over the next five years."
Consider multi-year partnerships: Major Foundation gifts often involve multi-year commitments (e.g., 10-year $5 million endowment to Berkshire Theatre Group), suggesting they value sustained partnerships.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

Geographic focus is paramount: The Berkshires connection is essential. Organizations outside this region face significant barriers unless demonstrating clear primary benefit to the area.
Submit on time: Strict deadlines of December 31 (January review) and April 30 (May review) must be observed.
No ongoing commitment implied: Each grant is evaluated independently; do not assume renewal.
Large transformational gifts are possible: While the median grant is $16,000, the Foundation has made multi-million dollar commitments to organizations aligned with their mission.
Education and innovation resonate: The founders' background in quality management and systems engineering means projects with educational, scientific, or innovation components may be viewed favorably.
Both online and hard copy applications accepted: Choose the method that allows you to present your case most effectively.
Arts and cultural programs welcome: Despite the technical background of the founders, the Foundation actively supports performing arts and cultural institutions.

References

Information accessed December 2025