Williston in the Community
Williston is proud to be part of the city of Easthampton—both as an educational institution founded here in 1841, and also as a neighbor, employer, partner, and steward of a campus that sits close to downtown. A good relationship between Williston Northampton School and the city of Easthampton has long been an important foundation for the success of both the city and the school. Below are some of the ways, Williston invests in our local community.
Annual Community Impact Letters
Our annual economic impact letters offer a more detailed accounting of Williston’s support, which includes direct financial contributions, taxes and fees, in-kind donations, use of facilities, support for local organizations, and the broader economic activity generated by students, families, employees, alumni, trustees, and visitors to campus.
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Previous School Year Letters
Use of Campus Facilities
Williston regularly makes its campus and facilities available to local school, city, and non-profit organizations. In almost all instances, fees that would normally be charged for our hockey rink, playing fields, tennis courts, swimming pool, theater, or gymnasium are reduced or waived. See below for some of the groups who currently use Williston’s facilities.
Lossone Rink
In the last year, Williston donated or discounted ice time to the Easthampton Police Department, Easthampton High School, and Easthampton Park & Recreation. Every winter, Williston also opens its rink to the public for stick-and-puck sessions for a small fee.
Galbraith Fields
In the last year, Williston donated or discounted use of our athletic fields to Easthampton Little League and the local Special Olympics.
Sabina Cain Family Athletic Center
In the last year, Williston’s made its basketball courts available to Easthampton Basketball League at a discounted or waived rate.
Wilmot Babcock Pool
Williston makes its 8-lane pool available at a discounted or waived rate for the Easthampton High School swim team.
Local Projects & Purchases
Periodically, Williston partners with different city and local organizations to fund or assist with specific projects. Below is a sampling of projects from the last 10 years. To see a fuller list, click here.
Plowing and Lighting the Rail Trail
Every winter, the Williston Facillities team plows and salts 2.5 miles of the bike trail. In 2022, Williston teamed up with the Friends of the Manhan Trail to add more lighting to sections of the trail. Williston donated approximately $60,000 and designed and installed underground power conduits. Read about the project here.
Holiday Tree on Nashawannuck Pond
Each year, Williston’s Facilities team helps to erect the floating tree on Nashawannuck Pond. Williston maintains and stores the raft during the off-season, then brings it to the pond and assists in securing the tree.
Pandemic Assistance
During the pandemic, Williston donated approximately 500 masks, the use of sanitizing equipment, a vaccine freezer, employee training support, and other personal protective equipment to the City of Easthampton. Williston also provided the use of a van, and the cost of gas for the van, to the Easthampton Community Center to deliver food and address the overwhelming needs of the community. You can read more about these efforts here.
City Space/Old Town Hall
Williston contributed $30,000 over three years to support the Old Town Hall Transformation Campaign and redevelopment as CitySpace.
Williston Students In Easthampton
Williston’s student community service club focuses many of its efforts within with the city of Easthampton. Examples of recent projects include: assisting with Mountain View School’s family game night and Safe Rides to School initiative; volunteering at the Whobillation event in Millside Park; running a one-on-one reading/homework help program for local students at Easthampton Public Library; hosting a Thanksgiving food drive and winter clothing drive for the Easthampton Community Center, and volunteering at ECC to hand out pet food, socks, and packed grocery bags.
A Major Employer
In 2026, Williston employed 182 full-time employees, making it one of the largest employers in the city. Of those 182 employees, 75 (or roughly 40%) live on campus dormitories and housing to oversee students. Of the remaining 60%, 23 full-time employees live off-campus in Easthampton in their own housing and 84 employees live in other local towns.
Charitable giving and local partners
In the last 3 years, Williston has donated more than $100,000 to local non-profits and organizations. Below is a list of some of these organizations.
Holiday Lighting, City of Easthampton
