The Many Ways to Give: Supporting the Future of UMaine
Giving to the University of Maine is more than a donation—it’s an investment in the future. Whether you’re passionate about supporting students, advancing research, or strengthening campus resources, there are multiple ways to make a meaningful impact. Here are four key ways donors contribute to UMaine’s success.
Annual Fund Support: The Power of Immediate Impact
Annual giving provides flexible, unrestricted funds that support the university’s most pressing needs, from scholarships to faculty development and student programming and emergencies. These gifts, often given on a yearly basis, create an immediate impact, ensuring that our students and faculty have the resources they need to thrive. Even a small donation can collectively make a big difference in enhancing the university experience.
Capital and Major Gifts: Transforming the Campus and Beyond
Major gifts and capital contributions fund large-scale initiatives such as new buildings, research centers, and endowed professorships. These contributions leave a lasting legacy by providing long-term benefits for generations to come. Whether it’s naming a classroom, funding a research initiative, or supporting a specific college or department, major gifts help shape the future of the university in profound ways.
Endowed Scholarships: Perpetual Support
A named endowed scholarship is one of the most meaningful ways to create a lasting impact. These funds are invested, and only the earnings are used to provide scholarships year after year, ensuring that UMaine students receive financial support in perpetuity. Donors who establish endowed scholarships help open doors for talented students who may not otherwise afford a college education, leaving a legacy that will continue for generations.
Planned Giving: A Legacy for the Future
For those who wish to make a lasting impact, planned giving offers an opportunity to include gifts to the UNIVERSITY OF MAINE FOUNDATION to benefit UMaine through the in their estate plans. Through bequests, charitable trusts, or beneficiary designations, donors can create a legacy that supports students and programs well into the future—all while achieving their own financial and philanthropic goals.
What’s Your Philanthropic Vision?
No matter how you choose to give, your support helps strengthen our university community. We’d love to help you explore the giving options that align with your values and goals. Let’s start the conversation today.
Annual Report 2024
Cultivating Opportunities, Inspiring Innovation and Upholding the Legacy
As we celebrate the 90th anniversary of the University of Maine Foundation, we reflect on a legacy built upon the pillars of tradition, innovation and scholarship. This year’s annual report is a testament to the unwavering commitment of our donors, academic partners and staff to fostering support for our beloved institution. Together, we continue to cultivate opportunities through scholarships, inspire innovation and uphold the legacy of excellence at the University of Maine.
$95m Record-breaking FY24 fundraising
Over 400% increase in annual fundraising since 2016
Endowment at a record- high half a billion dollars, $511,000,000
Completing our 90th year of service to UMaine donors
News
UMaine Athletics Receives Record-Setting Estate Gift
From left to right: Foundation President Jeffery Mills, UMaine President Joan Ferrini-Mundy, Labat Estate Executrix Joanne Bruno, Esq., and UMaine Athletics Director Jude Killy, at the gift announcement held on October 18, 2024.ORONO, MAINE: The University of Maine...
A Daughter’s Tribute
Elizabeth Taylor Evans '44Editor's Note: This story was originally published in the Fall 2003 issue of "Mainely People". It was written by Cornelia Evans '82. We are republishing the story to highlight the Lawrence and Elizabeth Taylor Evans Fund established by...
Current Special Giving Campaigns
This fall we will be celebrating the University of Maine Classes of 1955, 1960, 1965, 1970, 1975, 1980, 1985, 1990, 1995, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2015, 2020, and Senior Alumni. Your gift might qualify for a match from the University of Maine Foundation!
A longstanding tradition at UMaine. Seniors make a class gift in honor of their upcoming graduation. Congratulations to the Class of 2025!
Black Bears and friends will join together to celebrate UMaine’s traditional Maine Day of Service by making gifts to support what they love about the College of Our Hearts, Always on April 30.
Abby Cadorette
Abby Cadorette, a Senior Ecology and Environmental Science major at UMaine, is grateful for the scholarships that have helped her during her time at UMaine. She explained that “[My scholarships] alleviated the stress of covering college costs, and has allowed me to...
Crispin Kamundala
Our student gratitude story this week features Crispin Kamundala, a 4th-year political science student with a double minor in legal studies and foreign affairs. He received the John M. Nickerson scholarship. The John Mitchell Nickerson University of Maine Memorial...
Ross Sousa
While working part-time on farms and in greenhouses, University of Maine senior Ross Sousa of Somerset, Massachusetts learned firsthand how disease can ruin crops. Memories of farmers’ plight, combined with a passion for plant pathology and finding more sustainable...
Chanthu Millay
Chanthu Millay’s art is raw and intimate: a technicolor self-portrait in painstaking detail, a metal sculpture comprised of pieces of her old prosthetic leg, a ceramic sculpture depicting the emotions she experienced as her family’s lone survivor of the violent Khmer...
Gifts in Memory
Any gift you make may be in honor or in memory of someone. Specific people being honored with memorial gifts are listed on the gifts in
To set up memorial giving please visit the create a memorial giving opportunity page.
