UMass fundraising tops $100 million, exceeding 2013 goal

THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS raised $103.7 million in private funds this year. The funds will help pay for new professorships, scholarships and construction projects, according to university officials.
THE UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS raised $103.7 million in private funds this year. The funds will help pay for new professorships, scholarships and construction projects, according to university officials.

PROVIDENCE – The University of Massachusetts raised $103.7 million in private funds during the fiscal year ended June 30, exceeding its annual goal by $1 million, university officials announced Wednesday.

UMass spokeswoman Ann Scales attributed the campaign’s success to more aggressive efforts to expand the university’s donor base and reach out to alumni.

“You can’t stand still and expect to always be great,” she said. “You have to continue to get better.”

The private contributions will help fund new professorships, student scholarships, campus construction projects and other initiatives aiming to build quality at all five UMass locations, Scales said.

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The 2013 fundraising total represents a 12 percent increase over the previous fiscal year’s $92.9 million, and surpassed this year’s original target of $102.7 million. The university also expanded the number of gifts from individuals to 83,048 from 79,922.

“While asking the state to do more, we at the same time challenged ourselves to improve our performance in the fundraising area – and breaking the $100 million mark certainly indicates that we are having success,” said UMass President Robert L. Caret in a statement.

Caret also announced Wednesday that UMass set its fundraising goal for fiscal year 2014 at $106.8 million, emphasizing the importance of maintaining affordability for students while building on the university’s academic and research ambitions.

The fiscal year 2013 fundraising figures were released as the University of Massachusetts is shaping plans for its first ever system-wide capital campaign, which will link fundraising efforts at all five campuses.

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