Bulger leading system-wide appeal for private support

by Daniel J. Fitzgibbons, Chronicle staff

or the first time, a system-wide fund-raising appeal is underway, targeting the University's 300,000 alumni as well as key corporate and business leaders in Massachusetts.

     Led by President William M. Bulger, the "Pledge of Excellence" is initially aimed at raising more than $4 million, the amount contributed last year to the annual funds five campuses, according to John Hoey, Communications director at the President's Office.

     Along with generating more financial support for the campuses, Hoey said the campaign also is intended to boost participation in annual giving and engage alumni and friends in philanthropic support of the University.

     The first mailing of the direct appeal went out last week, said Hoey, and the effort will continue over the course of the year.

     The appeal brochure touts the University's "record of excellence," highlighting its accomplished faculty, the quality of incoming students, the value of its degrees, the satisfaction of alumni with their education and the institution's research prowess. The mailing also points out the University's importance to the state economy, its leadership on issues of concern to communities and its ability to provide quality education at affordable prices. The brochure features quotes from alumni, including former General Electric CEO Jack Welch, corporate leaders, faculty and students.

     "Excellent and accessible higher education is necessary to sustain both our culture and our economy," the brochure quotes Bulger. "It is private support that provides the necessary margin for educational excellence and allows the University to offer that excellence to a broadly diverse student body."

     As part of the campaign, an online pledge form has been posted at the President's Office Web site (www.massachusetts.edu). Donors can designate their gift to one of the campuses or to the Presidential Initiatives Fund, a contingency fund to be dispersed at the discretion of the president, according to Hoey.

     "There is tremendous goodwill towards the president across this state," said Hoey.

    There may be significant interest to give to President Bulger and we want to capitalize on that."

     Regardless of how donations are designated, Hoey said, "We will return every dime back to the campuses."

     The campaign has the backing of the Board of Trustees, whose members seeded the fund with contributions totaling more than $50,000.

     "There is a powerful case to made for the University of Massachusetts, and this is the time to make it as forcefully as possible," said Robert Mahoney, who chairs the trustees' Development Committee. "UMass had made tremendous strides over the last several years, and we need to continue generating momentum."

     According to the President's Office, annual private support to the University increased from $35 million to more than $80 million since 1996. The endowment also has grown from $47 million to $140 million.