Philanthropy Report

Philanthropy matters for expanding access to education

Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship grows to $1M

Committed to students past, present, and future, the UMass Dartmouth Alumni Association gives back by offering scholarship support that paves the way for the next generation of Corsairs.

This year, the Alumni Association’s endowed scholarship rose to $1 million to help ease the financial burdens students face with the rising cost of higher education. This scholarship provides crucial financial assistance to students who demonstrate academic promise and a strong determination to succeed, allowing them to focus on their studies, explore new opportunities, and ultimately achieve their aspirations.

“Just as many of our alumni needed financial assistance to achieve their goal of a college education, that challenge is even more prevalent today,” said Brian Kelly ’88, President of the Alumni Association. “Through the establishment and growth of the Alumni Association Scholarship, we can offer greater annual support to students who might otherwise be unable to pursue their dreams and become tomorrow’s alumni.”

Read more about the Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship.

Institutional aid awarded

$2.5M raised for endowed and current use scholarships

Philanthropy matters for creating an extraordinary student experience

A generous community of donors expands horizons for Corsairs by supporting student organizations

An outpouring of support from donors during giving days and crowdfunding initiatives enabled student organizations like Corsair Esports, the National Society of Black Engineers, Corsair Cheer, and the Black Law Students Association to offer pivotal experiences to its members. These groups were able to attend international professional development conferences, expand to allow more students to participate, and acquire necessary equipment.

"We were at a crossroads," said Percy Williams ’24, former NSBE senator, who worked with other NSBE members to arrange for the UMass Dartmouth chapter to attend the 50th Annual NSBE Convention in Atlanta, GA. "We needed a lot of support to get every member to the conference. Crowdfunding made that possible and allowed us to offer this opportunity to all 40 members, not just a select few."

How our community came together to enrich student life.

Total funds raised in FY24

Philanthropy matters for creating a culture of gratitude

Robert Hale’s gift to the Class of 2024 inspired a wave of generosity as graduates turned inspiration into action

A surprise awaited the Class of 2024 on a rainy Commencement day—a thousand-dollar ray of sunshine from philanthropist and founder and CEO of wholesale telecommunications provider Granite Telecommunications, Robert Hale, Jr., and his wife, Karen. But there was a catch: they had to pay it forward.

Each graduate who crossed the stage received one envelope with $500 to keep as a gift and a second envelope of $500 to give to a charity or cause close to their heart. They embraced Hale’s philanthropic challenge with responses to his call that reflected their personal values, donating to local nonprofit organizations or repaying family members for their support.

See how UMass Dartmouth’s Class of 2024 turned inspiration into action.

A dedicated community

made a commitment to invest in UMass Dartmouth

Philanthropy matters for putting higher education within reach

Support from scholarships and state funding opens doors to personal and professional success for students and ensures that a high-quality public education remains within reach for all

Free tuition for eligible Massachusetts students
The UMass Dartmouth Deal will reduce financial barriers for eligible Massachusetts undergraduate students who demonstrate significant financial need, launching in fall 2024. This transformative program is made possible through critical support from the Massachusetts MASSGrant program.

$1.5M in scholarships help Fall River area students build their futures at UMass Dartmouth
A $1M gift from the Greater Fall River Development Corporation, plus $500,000 in matching funds made possible by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts’ Public Higher Education Endowment Incentive Program, will help support Greater Fall River area students as they pursue academic and professional goals.