Indian-origin founder in US wants to donate Rs 180 crore property to promote Catholic faith

Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of WhistlePig Whiskey, took possession of the property in 2020 with a bid of Rs 45 crore at an auction, after the former environmental college had closed down in 2019. (Image credit: Raj Peter Bhakta)

An Indian-origin entrepreneur in the US has announced a plan to donate a Rs 180 crore property of a college campus that he had bought in 2020 to a beneficiary committed to promoting the Catholic faith. Raj Peter Bhakta, founder of WhistlePig Whiskey, described his offer as “The Gift” and is now accepting applications.

The 50-year-old had purchased the 115–155-acre Green Mountain College campus at auction in 2020 after its 2019 closure. In a statement, he said that the donation seeks to “return the site to its original Christian calling,” referencing its 1834 Methodist roots. The formal Request for Proposals (RFP) specifies that the selected recipient must align with the “spiritual revival of our Christian faith,” framing the transfer as a mission-driven act of stewardship.

"This gift is about stewardship," Bhakta stated. "The Green Mountain College campus is a magnificent resource, and I am seeking a Catholic organisation with the vision and capability to use it for good — to serve people, purpose, and faith."‍

What the donation includes

The gifted portfolio comprises some of the college campus’s most prominent assets:

1. Withey Hall — administrative space, commercial kitchen, dining hall, gathering areas
2. Griswold Library — multi-level academic resource centre
3. Sage and Lyman Halls — renovated dormitories with 54+ rooms combined
4. Waldron gymnasium — athletics centre with indoor pool, gym, locker rooms, basketball court
5. Green spaces and river frontage — quads, outdoor areas, and nearly a mile of pristine river access
6. Collectively, the site encompasses more than 500,000 sqft of interior space and over 100–115 acres, located within walking distance of downtown Poultney.

Strict conditions and high operating costs

While the donation is free, significant conditions apply. The campus will be transferred as-is with a deed restriction limiting its use to Catholic mission‑aligned purposes.

Any recipient must demonstrate the financial capability to maintain the property, with operating costs estimated at $1 million annually, and a recommended annual budget of $1.5 million to sustain infrastructure and address deferred maintenance.

Ideal uses outlined

Bhakta has described the opportunity as “once in a century,” inviting organisations capable of advancing Catholic education and spiritual renewal to step forward and outlined several preferred models for reuse, such as Catholic education, faith-oriented retreats for youth, families, and clergy, and mission centres for outreach, arts, culture, or spiritual formation.

The campus, with its Georgian architecture and historic character, is being positioned as a rare institutional asset capable of supporting long-term Catholic mission work.