Endowment Report
Long-term investments for long-term impact
Endowments are investments that allow UMass Dartmouth to grant financial assistance to students and to develop the innovative academic programming that distinguishes the institution apart as a national research university. Supporting student scholarships, professorships, programs, and other institutional priorities, endowed funds enable the university to make commitments far into the future, while assuring donors that their gifts will serve their intended purposes and extend their philanthropic legacy. Approximately 4% of the principal of an endowment is awarded each year, delivering a lasting impact.
With 82% of UMass Dartmouth students receiving financial aid, endowed scholarships are essential for making it possible for these motivated students to pursue their academic goals here. These gifts contribute to retaining the best students, bolstering research initiatives, and enhancing the university’s reputation as an affordable, world-class education and research institution in the SouthCoast.
See the impact of UMass Dartmouth's endowment in action
Endowment data
FY24 UMass Dartmouth endowment highlights
UMass Dartmouth’s endowment experienced growth in FY2024, climbing to $88.5 million in support of the university’s mission. This 16.7 percent increase is attributed in part to matching incentives from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program (PHEEIP), which motivated generous donors to establish 21 new endowments valuing nearly $2 million. With a focus on generating long-lasting financial support for students and programs, the continued growth of the UMass Dartmouth endowment is a critical component of the university’s fundraising strategy.
Total endowment
Total endowed funds distributed
Endowed scholarships distributed to students in FY2024
New funds created
Total endowments
Endowment dollars
Distributed in FY2024
Endowment growth
FY2020-FY2024
The University of Massachusetts Foundation, an independent 501(c)(3) stewards endowed funds for all five campuses in the University of Massachusetts system, applying a future-focused strategy to generate sustainable returns for long-term support for scholarships, academic programs, and faculty development. Fueled by campus fundraising efforts and comprised of 3,096 individual funds, the UMass Foundation Endowment serves as a critical resource for advancing the mission of the University of Massachusetts and empowering future generations to thrive. For more information about the performance of the UMass Foundation endowment, please view it's fiscal year 2024 report here.
Endowment in action
At UMass Dartmouth, endowed scholarships are more than just a financial resource—they are a lifeline that empowers students to pursue their academic and professional dreams. For many, these scholarships provide the support needed to overcome financial obstacles and unlock opportunities that might otherwise be out of reach.
In their own words, these students share how endowed scholarships have the transformative power to ease their financial burdens, strengthen their determination to succeed, and foster personal and academic growth that defines their futures.