Gifts to the Annual Fund help make extraordinary experiences possible at the University of Maine. Every gift to Annual Fund matters and makes a difference, especially to the students who turn to UMaine for an outstanding, yet affordable education in the land-grant tradition.

Thousands of donors including alumni, friends, parents, athletics fans, arts patrons, students, faculty and staff and other individuals participate in the UMaine Annual Fund. Some direct their gift to a specific area or areas, while others choose to leave their gift unrestricted so that it can be used where and when it is needed most in the university. Many donors make their first gift to UMaine through the Annual Fund, and choose to continue to support the Annual Fund every year, while expanding their philanthropy to include major and planned gifts in areas of interest.

Some donors contribute to the Annual Fund as a result of an appeal letter; others make a gift online. The University of Maine’s secure and convenient online giving site is always available for donation. There are a number of ways in which you can maximize your Annual Fund gift, such as corporate matches and recurring gifts.

Senior Class Giving is an Annual Fund tradition at UMaine. Members of the UMaine senior class who donate to the university are given a Philanthropy cord to wear to graduation, and are invited to the True Blue Toast at Buchanan Alumni House.

With gifts to the annual fund comes special recognition for our donors that is available to them based upon the amount and frequency of their annual gifts. Annual giving donor recognition is based upon the a regular calendar year, which extends from January 1-December 31.