PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
New highs, discoveries, and opportunities filled 2024. In the latest U.S. News & World Report rankings, we saw significant rises in three of our largest majors: computer science, psychology, and nursing. These prestigious rankings of programs in high-demand fields show that UMass Dartmouth is preparing students well for impactful careers in industries that meet important societal and economic needs in our region and nationally.
I am delighted to share that UMass Dartmouth will offer free tuition and mandatory fees to in-state undergraduates with a family income of $75,000 or less starting in Fall 2025. We did this to make it clear to students with high financial need that a UMass Dartmouth education is affordable. Simply put, they can get a world-class education at a nationally ranked public research university for free. That’s powerful and will matter a great deal to the nearly 1,500 current and incoming students we expect to qualify for the program.
Over the past year, we also saw great acts of generosity that helped us fulfill our mission. The Greater Fall River Development Corporation donated $1M, which was matched by $500,000 from the UMass Foundation, to support students from the Greater Fall River area as they pursue their academic and professional ambitions at UMass Dartmouth. During Blue & Gold Weekend, we celebrated the Alumni Association’s endowment reaching $1M. At the Commencement ceremony, billionaire philanthropist Rob Hale gave each attending undergraduate $1,000—$500 to keep and $500 to give to a cause that matters to them, resulting in countless stories of generosity by graduates. These are just a few instances of our momentum attracting meaningful philanthropy to UMass Dartmouth, with donors confident that their contributions are having an enormous impact on our students and helping to make their future brighter. Their philanthropy truly matters.
And, of course, thanks to your generous support, we are upgrading campus learning spaces, offering more support services to help our students, and strengthening the foundation to launch them into success. Your generosity is crucial to supporting a thriving academic environment and helping students achieve their dreams.
Thank you for supporting UMass Dartmouth’s mission and making a lasting impact on the lives of our students.
Mark
A. Fuller, PhD Chancellor
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS FOR
CREATING AN EXTRAORDINARY STUDENT EXPERIENCE
A generous community of donors expands horizons for Corsairs with their support of student organizations
Being involved in student organizations fosters a sense of belonging, collaboration, and shared connections that endure long after students leave campus. Thanks to an outpouring of support from donors during giving days and crowdfunding initiatives, student organizations like Corsair Esports, the National Society of Black Engineers, Corsair Cheer, and the Black Law Students Association were able to offer pivotal experiences to its members. These groups reached remarkable levels of success, achieving goals that ranged from attending international professional development conferences, to expanding student memberships to participate, to acquiring necessary equipment.
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.
was very fortunate to be able to set aside extra funds just for donating to causes close to my heart. All the money that I give is going toward scholarship funds, directly benefitting UMass Dartmouth students.”
left the Northeast Black Law Students Association Convention with an internship opportunity at a prosecutor’s office in New Jersey, and then offered a job upon graduation. Attending this convention made me certain I want to be a litigator.”
Tiffany Igwe, JD ’24
President,
Black Law Students Association
Starting your career off by donating to a special cause is really powerful and teaches us all a lesson about the value of generosity.”
Amanda Little ’24 A grateful graduate
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS FOR ESTABLISHING A LEGACY
Cozzolino’s bond with UMass Dartmouth not only shaped his past but continues to inspire his dedication to giving back. His philanthropy over the years has been instrumental in propelling the university’s mission forward, providing critical support to turn students’ dreams into diplomas.
Committed to helping students cross that stage at Commencement, Cozzolino established a donor-advised fund, a charitable savings account set up through a charity or financial services firm that allows flexibility to recommend how much and when to grant money to UMass Dartmouth and other qualified charities. He also instituted a succession plan for his fund— an essential and often overlooked step that ensures UMass Dartmouth remains a philanthropic priority even after his passing.
$6,911,337
$1,596,891
$88.5M Market value of endowed funds
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS
Results as of June 30, 2024 EXPANDING ACCESS TO EDUCATION
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
Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship grows to $1M
Representing 65,000+ alumni across seven colleges and many decades of UMassD history, the Alumni Association works to engage alumni and gives back by creating opportunities for students. This year, the Alumni Association increased contributions to the Alumni Association Endowed Scholarship to bring the fund’s total to $1 million. The 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 endeavors, and ultimately achieve their aspirations.
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 2025. 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.
This scholarship connected me to a supportive network of alumni who continue to inspire me. One day, I want to give back, just like they did for me.”
PHILANTHROPY MATTERS, BECAUSE OUR STUDENTS MATTER.
Philanthropy is at the heart of what makes the extraordinary happen at UMass Dartmouth. From making tuition affordable to enriching academic and student life experiences, donor support empowers our students to reach their fullest potential. These gifts create unparalleled educational and research opportunities, helping students discover their passions and opening doors to worlds of professional possibilities.
The profound power of philanthropy is felt throughout the UMass Dartmouth community, fueling innovation, growth, and success across campus.
Scan here to see how your contributions helped make the extraordinary happen for UMass Dartmouth students:
