Former ‘Apprentice’ contestant is giving away a college campus free. Here’s how to apply for it

It is not every day that a defunct New England college campus hits the market, and it is even rarer for the owner to offer it up for free. However, Raj Bhakta, the whiskey entrepreneur and former contestant on The Apprentice, has decided to do exactly that.

Bhakta purchased the Green Mountain College campus in Vermont back in 2020 with grand ambitions of creating a mixed-use development, including 18 condos, 93 hotel rooms, a spa, a restaurant, and even a micro-distillery, according to an article by the Wall Street Journal. After buying the property for less than $5 million, he abandoned those development plans earlier this year.

How to Apply

Now, Bhakta is seeking a new steward for the property. Interested parties can submit proposals via the official website. Selection is not based on the highest bid, but on the strength of the vision. Bhakta stated that the ideal beneficiary will have a plan aligned with the revival of Western Civilization and the United States, rooted in a spiritual revival of the Christian faith.

"We wish to bequeath this unique – beautiful and intact – New England college campus to the right beneficiary," Bhakta noted in the project's request for proposals.

Campus Specifications

• Address: 1 Brennan Circle, Poultney, VT
• Campus Size: Approximately 115 acres
• Zoning: College campus/mixed-use
• Infrastructure: Includes academic buildings, renovated dormitories, athletic facilities—featuring a pool and gym—commercial kitchens, and dining areas.

While the deed is being offered for free, potential owners should be prepared for significant overhead. The listing advises that the recipient should plan for roughly $1.5 million in annual maintenance and deferred repairs, noting that operational costs will be at least $1 million per year even with non-profit, tax-exempt status.

Interested applicants must prove they have the financial resources to maintain the site. For more information or to submit a proposal, visit greenmountaincollegerfp.com/. Bhakta’s team reserves the right to vet candidates through interviews or requests for additional information.