WORCESTER, MA – March 23, 2026 – Quinsigamond Community College was recently awarded $10,000 as part of the Inspiring Generosity Matching Grant Program through donations from the Esler Family Foundation. The funding will support the growth of the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship at QCC, an initiative designed to expand access to entrepreneurial education and strengthen the economic ecosystem of Central Massachusetts.
“This grant is a powerful vote of confidence in the work we are doing at the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship,” said Rocky Knight, director of the Auxilium Center for Entrepreneurship. “We are deeply thankful for this support, which will help us enhance student-centered initiatives such as our campus pitch competition and the growth of our incubator in 2027. These programs create pathways for students to build confidence, test ideas and access the tools they need to move from concept to action.”
The grant will allow the Auxilium Center to scale programming, expand mentorship opportunities and deepen partnerships with regional organizations that support early‑stage entrepreneurs. Funding will also help to establish QCC’s Auxilium Center as a regional hub for next‑generation entrepreneurs, as well as a catalyst for workforce development and community revitalization.
In the short term, the grant will support opportunities for students to test business ideas, develop investor‑ready pitch materials and gain real‑world traction through sales and business formation. Students will also benefit from increased access to mentors, industry partners and alumni who can help guide their entrepreneurial journeys.
“The generosity shown by the Esler Family Foundation represents an investment in our students and the future of our regional economy. The Auxilium Center is becoming a cornerstone of equity‑driven innovation at QCC, and this support ensures that more students will gain the resources and confidence they need to transform their communities,” said QCC President Dr. Luis Pedraja.
Over the next three years, the Auxilium Center has planned a schedule of workshops, seminars, pitch events, networking mixers and other experiences aimed at building entrepreneurial mindsets and practical skills. In 2027, the Center will launch its capstone program, the QCC–Auxilium Incubator, a nine‑week accelerator that will guide students from concept to commercialization.