Whiskey Magnate Proposes Unprecedented Campus Donation for Cultural Renaissance
In a remarkable philanthropic gesture, whiskey entrepreneur Raj Peter Bhakta has announced his intention to gift an entire college campus exclusively to Christian or Catholic organizations that share his vision for revitalizing Western civilization. The former Apprentice contestant and founder of WhistlePig whiskey is offering the 115-acre site of the defunct Green Mountain College in Poultney, Vermont, as a potential epicenter for spiritual and cultural renewal across America.
A Generous Offer with Significant Conditions
Bhakta, who purchased the campus for $4.5 million at auction in 2020 during COVID-19 shutdowns—approximately $20 million below its original asking price—is prepared to transfer ownership without charge to qualifying institutions. However, prospective recipients must be prepared for substantial financial commitments, with Bhakta estimating that restoring the campus to its former condition could require up to $200 million in investment.
The expansive property includes multiple academic buildings, residence halls, administrative offices, athletic facilities, open land, and more than 100 acres of farmland traversed by the scenic Poultney River. Bhakta emphasizes that any organization assuming control must embrace what he describes as a broader cultural mission aligned with national and civilizational revival.
"We wish to bequeath this unique—beautiful and intact—New England college campus to the right beneficiary," Bhakta declared on a website promoting the handover. "The right beneficiary has a vision aligned with the revival of the United States and Western Civilization. They would also recognize this must first begin with the spiritual revival of our Christian faith."
From Reality Television to Spirits Empire
Before establishing himself in the liquor industry, Bhakta, now 50, expanded beyond his real estate development background by appearing on the popular 2000s reality show The Apprentice, judged by Donald Trump. Although Trump "fired" him during the ninth week of the competition, Bhakta gained notoriety for humorously asking both Trump and Russian tennis star Anna Kournikova on dates during his tenure on the program.
Bhakta later credited this dismissal with catalyzing his entry into the whiskey business. His career path included additional ventures and setbacks, including an unsuccessful 2006 congressional campaign in Pennsylvania as a Republican candidate, during which he staged an unusual publicity stunt involving a 90-minute elephant ride along the border accompanied by a six-man mariachi band to highlight perceived border security vulnerabilities.
Educational Crisis and Redevelopment Plans
The businessman told Fox News Digital that his decision to acquire the Vermont property was motivated by what he perceives as an "epic, large-scale" crisis in American higher education. Green Mountain College closed in 2019 due to declining enrollment, joining two other private Vermont institutions that shuttered that same year.
Initially, Bhakta envisioned redeveloping the campus himself, proposing a $100 million multi-year plan that included controversial elements such as a helipad on the town green. However, he withdrew this application last autumn and subsequently sued the town over property valuation disputes, eventually negotiating a separate agreement to alleviate future tax burdens.
During these negotiations, Bhakta cautioned local officials that without favorable tax arrangements, he would sell the campus to a tax-exempt religious organization—a warning he is now making good on through his donation proposal.
Substantial Operational Requirements
The requirements for potential recipients are considerable. Any organization assuming control would need to cover approximately $1 million in annual operating expenses while allocating about $1.5 million for ongoing infrastructure maintenance—figures that exclude the massive $200 million restoration estimate.
Qualifying Christian entities must demonstrate alignment with Bhakta's stated mission, possess the operational capacity to manage the campus, and provide detailed proposals outlining intended property usage. Bhakta maintains these substantial costs are justified for institutions committed to advancing his cultural vision.
"We've had two great awakenings in this country before, and I think we're at the dawn, God willing, of a third great awakening," Bhakta asserted. "And that will hopefully, by God's grace, lead to the revival of this great country and this great civilization. That, incidentally, is worth fighting for."
Business Evolution and Future Directions
Bhakta's professional journey includes founding the successful WhistlePig whiskey brand during the 2008 recession after finding himself "dead broke and alone" on a dilapidated Vermont farm. Following a board dispute, he sold his stake in 2019 and launched Bhakta Spirits in Shoreham, Vermont—located just 30 minutes from the Green Mountain College campus.
Recently, the businessman announced plans to relocate Bhakta Spirits to another state while simultaneously pursuing either donation of the campus to a Christian organization or placing it on the open market. Bhakta did not immediately respond to requests for comment regarding the specifics of his donation timeline or selection process for potential recipients.
