Enrichment Through Philanthropy
What do you see when you think of the future of our University? At the Foundation, we see a campus flourishing with opportunity, achievement, and growth. Philanthropy is the cornerstone that enriches our campus with new potential and encourages our students to blossom into valued leaders in our communities and beyond. UMaine is nourished through scholarships, professorships, endowed funds, planned gifts, and endless other forms of donor generosity. The impact the University of Maine has around the world is because of dedicated Black Bear alumni, friends, and fans like you — your philanthropy fortifies and enriches this magnificent campus that bestows its greatness on so many.
A Record-breaking Fundraising Year
We are pleased to announce that FY23 was another record-breaking fundraising year for the University of Maine. A remarkable $43,870,228 was raised in gifts and pledges. The substantial sum was generously contributed by individuals, organizations, corporations, and foundations dedicated to supporting UMaine’s mission of academic excellence and student success. This accomplishment would not be possible without the hard work, support, and collaboration among all the major areas of the University of Maine. The total represents over a 100% increase in annual fundraising since FY16.
The Harold Alfond Foundation’s $240 million grant to the University of Maine, UMS TRANSFORMS, along with many donors who supported the $170 matching challenge, are making transformational changes for UMaine. Just this year, we opened the new softball and field hockey complexes, announced the Maine College of Engineering and Computing, welcomed hundreds of students into summer research learning projects, and opened the doors for students at 300 Fore Street in Portland.
In July, we were able to announce the University of Maine Foundation 90th Anniversary Matching Gift program, underwritten by a $1 million bequest from alumnus Robert E. Blake, a member of the Class of 1962. The program will support new scholarships for UMaine students. More information can be found on our website, umainefoundation.org. Enriching the opportunities for the University of Maine community is the foundation of our work and we thank you for your role in the Foundation’s and UMaine’s ongoing success.
Highlights
$43.8m Record-breaking
FY23 fundraising
Over 100% increase
in annual fundraising
since 2016
Endowment at a record-
high $436,131,510
Entering our 90th year
of service to UMaine donors
Jeffery N. Mills, ’82, Ph.D.
President/CEO
University of Maine Foundation
Dr. Bob Strong, CFA
Chair of the Board
University of Maine Foundation
Highlights
$43.8m Record-breaking
FY23 fundraising
Over 100% increase
in annual fundraising
since 2016
Endowment at a record-
high $436,131,510
Entering our 90th year
of service to UMaine donors
UMaine Voted Best and Most Interesting
The Fiske Guide to Colleges 2024 named the University of Maine one of America’s “best and most interesting” four-year higher education institutions. UMaine’s presence in the Fiske Guide to Colleges is a testament to our top-tier academic, research, and recreational offerings. Additionally, this recognition confirms that the gifts we receive impact our ability to create a welcoming, collaborative, and affordable learning environment for all.
At my State of the University address in February, my colleagues and our students shared some impressive UMaine milestones and accomplishments, including the world’s first bio-based 3D-printed house by UMaine’s Advanced Structures and Composites Center, the 50th anniversary of the Climate Change Institute, the 100th anniversary of the Graduate School, the results of the 2025 Commission study, and graduate students from UMaine’s Climate Change Institute conducting fieldwork in New Zealand, working to understand the Earth’s climate system.
For nearly 160 years, UMaine has grown its traditional strengths and advanced frontiers — making us one of the “best and most interesting” flagship institutions. Philanthropy enriches everything we do, and I want to thank everyone who is part of that process, especially our donors. With your support, we are at the forefront of cutting-edge research and academic pursuits.
Thank you for your loyalty and generosity.
Sincerely,
Joan Ferrini-Mundy
President, University of Maine and University of Maine at Machias
Vice Chancellor for Research and Innovation,
University of Maine System
New Funds in FY23
Over 63 new endowed funds were established at the University of Maine Foundation in FY23. UMaine alumni and friends have provided support for scholarships and excellence throughout the Orono campus.
Examples of Enrichment Through Philanthropy
Strengthening Athletics
Longtime University of Maine alumni donors Phillip ’64 and Susan ’64 Morse have committed $10 million for naming rights to the multipurpose arena that is part of the UMaine Athletics Master Facilities Plan. The contribution is part of the ongoing private fundraising campaign to meet the $90 million challenge grant for UMaine athletics as part of UMS TRANSFORMS, funded by the Harold Alfond Foundation.
The Morse Arena will include the home court of men’s and women’s basketball and provide a venue for large-scale campus and community events. A significant interior space in the arena will be named for the Morses’ longtime friend, Thomas “Skip” Chappelle. Phil Morse describes Skip as “a Maine legend in basketball – a superstar as a player who was drafted by the Boston Celtics and came back to become the Black Bears’ coach for many exciting years, developing both talent and young men.” Calling Harold Alfond an inspiration, Phil Morse comments that Alfond is “an example of how one good, generous person can make a big difference, and for generations, too.”
A Lifetime of Philanthropy
A member of the class of 1970, John Marshall Webber, passed away at the age of 78 in October of 2022. In addition to admirably serving his country in the US Marine Corps, Webber was an accomplished artist, investor, and lifelong learner who studied philosophy and enjoyed collecting Asian works of art. In 2007, Webber, a longtime member of the Friends of Fogler Library Advisory Board, worked with the University of Maine Foundation to establish the John M. Webber Digital Library Fund and the John M. Webber School of Business Scholarship. The first endowed fund helps Fogler Library enhance its ability to acquire and access digital resources worldwide. Webber’s second fund provides financial assistance to students enrolled in one of UMaine’s graduate- level business programs with preference given to students studying international business or finance, and who demonstrate their potential for career success following graduation. Webber’s estate plans included $1 million bequests to each of these funds upon his passing. His gifts, in both life and death, continued the extensive philanthropic support for the university and community provided by his late parents, G. Peirce Webber and Florence (Pitts) Webber.
“The University of Maine campus was a special place to John,” explained Jeffery N. Mills, University of Maine Foundation president and CEO. “His generous bequests reflect his deep appreciation for the transformative nature of higher education and the role that Fogler, as a research library, plays in student and scholarly success.”
Serving the Black Bear Community
Bear Pair Jeffrey Rogers ‘16 and Emma Hutchinson Rogers ‘19 have been loyal and active members of the President’s Club since 2020 by utilizing the recent alumni introductory rate program. While at UMaine, Emma excelled as an Honors College student, majored in English, and held the position of Vice President for All Maine Women and President of the Honors College Student Advisory Board. Meanwhile, Jeff pursued a finance and financial economics double major and actively participated in Sigma Phi Epsilon fraternity. He also served as the President of the Student Portfolio Investment Fund (SPIFFY) and President of the Senior Skulls, an organization in which he continues to contribute as a member of the Alumni Interest Group Board of Directors. Currently, Jeff is a member of the UMAA Board of Directors, UMACSM Board of Directors, and previously served as President of Black Bears of Portland.
Paving the Path for Increasing DEI at UMaine
Dr. Shontay Delalue ‘00, ‘03G has an inspiring commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in higher education and has contributed to initiatives in communities throughout Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Alaska, and beyond. A first- generation college graduate hailing from New Jersey, Dr. Delalue established the Student Immersion Support Fund at the University of Maine. This fund embodies her strong and unwavering dedication to increasing the racial and ethnic diversity of the University of Maine student body and providing opportunities for all students to engage across difference. She firmly believes, and research shows, that fostering increased interaction across gender, race, geography, and class is paramount to preparing tomorrow’s leaders.
Employee Giving Nurtures Students
Gifts from colleagues, family, and friends in memory of Jennifer Gutmann Tyne, the late faculty member of UMaine’s Math department, have grown into an endowed
scholarship that will support undergraduate students studying math at UMaine with preference for graduates of Orono High School and students with a track record of service to others, especially the indigenous communities.
Over her 20-year teaching career, Jennifer impacted the growth and development of a generation of students and earned the Presidential Teaching Award in 2019, the highest
teaching award at the University of Maine. This scholarship reflects Jen’s strength, commitment, compassion, love, and service to all which she modeled throughout her lifetime.
Links to More Information
Giving Societies
Spending Policy
All Funds in FY23
Officers and Board of Directors
Philanthropy Staff
Our fundraising partners
Statement of Financial Position
Endowment Funds FY 23
As of June 30, 2023
University of Maine Foundation $307,281,186
University of Maine System (Orono campus) 93,644,393
University of Maine System (Machias campus) 3,497,203
University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation1 28,315,483
UMaine 4-H Foundation 3,393,245
Total $436,131,510
1 Pulp and Paper Foundation fund values as of December 31, 2022.
University of Maine Foundation
University of Maine System (Orono campus)
Unversity of Maine System (Machias campus)
University of Maine Pulp and Paper Foundation1
UMaine 4-H Foundation
Total
1 Pulp and Paper Foundation fund values as of December 31, 2022.
$307,281,186
93,644,393
3,497,203
28,315,483
3,393,245
$436,131,510