Accelerating UMass Amherst with the Power of Philanthropy
The world is searching for solutions.
UMass is leading the way.
You can make a difference by supporting any aspect of a UMass Amherst education that is meaningful to you.
Accelerate is bringing the impact to you!
From public opinion to policy, health, and well-being—Accelerate: The Campaign for UMass Amherst is having a big impact. Join us at upcoming events on the East Coast to discover how UMass Amherst is accelerating solutions for the common good.
Transforming the Future
Dan Riccio Makes $50 Million Gift to Name the UMass Amherst College of Engineering
The largest gift in campus history will support scholarships, fellowships and professorships as well as funding for new initiatives.
John and Elizabeth Armstrong Commit $4 Million for Research Support at UMass Amherst
Donations from the couple contribute to the UMass Amherst Research Continuity Fund and create the Armstrong Graduate Research Grant Fund and the Armstrong Chancellor Professorships Award Fund.
Chuck and MaryAnn Sherwood Make $1 Million Gift to UMass Hockey Excellence Endowment
Longtime supporters of the university with deep personal ties to UMass and its athletic tradition, the Sherwoods have made a gift that reflects their belief in the power of athletics and their family’s lifelong connection to hockey.
A Milestone Powered by Donor Support
Donor generosity has propelled the Accelerate campaign past $600 million raised, strengthening scholarships, research, and academic excellence across the university. Read how this collective investment is already making a difference—and what comes next.
UMass Amherst’s Research Mission
Research has been a cornerstone of UMass Amherst’s mission as a land-grant university for more than 160 years. Your support can ensure this essential work.
Stories of Impact
MARCH 5, 2026
UMass Amherst’s Black Alumni Network aims to boost awareness of the group’s activities and engage more alumni in supporting one another after graduation.
MARCH 11, 2026
From Campus to Community: Alumni Lead the Way
During National Volunteer Month in April, UMass Amherst alumni across the country will come together to give back through local service projects that strengthen communities and deepen alumni connections.
MARCH 5, 2026
Honoring a Professor’s Legacy at UMass
Inspired by a group of students who created a scholarship in her late husband’s honor, a former UMass Amherst employee joined their efforts to ensure the professor’s enduring legacy at UMass.
Your generosity at work
See how your generosity shapes a better future for UMass Amherst in the 2025 Generosity Highlights report showcasing how donor support expands student opportunities, fuels innovation, and drives research that tackles society’s biggest challenges.
“UMass Amherst donor scholarships have given me the means and independence to unapologetically pursue my dreams …[and have] allowed me to work impactful unpaid internships which have guided my educational path and given me meaningful global connections.”
— AJIJOLAOLUWA “JOLE” LAGUDA ’23
We’re Hiring
The UMAF is growing and we’re looking for team members who believe in our mission to propel UMass Amherst even further.