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The University of Maine has raised over $150 million from private sources since a fundraising campaign began in 2005.
Campaign Maine was launched just after Robert Kennedy became UMaine’s president and is the largest fundraising campaign in Maine public university history. Allen and Sally Fernald, campaign chairs and UMaine alumni, announced the goal had been reached at a dinner in honor of Kennedy on April 12. Kennedy will step down from office in June.
“The generosity of our alumni and friends reflects the pride and enthusiasm that have been so apparent throughout this campaign,” Kennedy said. “The support has been overwhelming since the day we started the campaign, and it is immensely gratifying to consider the permanent impact this effort will have on the university’s academic programs, research enterprise and outreach capacity.”
The current total raised through the campaign is $152,300,000. This money is primarily meant for scholarships for students, providing resources for faculty, strengthening the university’s academic programs, and funding a capital construction and renovation priorities.
The institution’s private fundraising partners are the University of Maine Alumni Association and the University of Maine Foundation, both of which are independent organizations that provide fundraising and other forms of support for the university. The Pulp and Paper Foundation and the 4-H Foundation were also partners in the campaign.
“This campaign reflects an overarching vision for UMaine’s future which will depend on an ongoing, robust private fundraising effort,” said Vice President for Development and Alumni Relations Eric Rolfson.
“While the $150 million campaign goal has been reached, the campaign will continue through June 30 of this year,” said Joe Carr, UMaine spokesman, who is responsible for some of the communications involving Campaign Maine, such as publicizing its achievements.
“Private fundraising efforts are ongoing and essential to the university’s success,” Carr said. “Planning for the next campaign is likely to begin as soon as this one ends, but the effort, involving all of the partner organizations, will continue unabated.”
“Campaign Maine is all about people, opportunity and impact — and about ensuring that UMaine, the ‘College of Our Hearts Always,’ flourishes for centuries to come,” Kennedy wrote in a release.
