A gift that endures, today, tomorrow, always.

Endowed funds play a crucial role in ensuring the long-term financial stability of the University of Southern Maine, while profoundly impacting the lives of our students. These funds are carefully invested to generate ongoing income that supports scholarships, financial aid, faculty positions, and program excellence. By providing a reliable source of funding, endowments help attract and retain top talent and reduce dependence on tuition revenue. For our students, this means greater access to education regardless of financial circumstances.

Choose your legacy

Endowed funds serve as a lasting legacy that empowers USM students, fosters academic achievement, and strengthens institutional sustainability for generations to come.

Professor Dana Kerr, RMI

Endowed Chairs/ Professorships

Your gift to USM may be used to endow a faculty position, such as an endowed chair or professorship. This type of endowment strengthens the University’s academic standing, and helps to attract and retain top faculty talent to USM.

University of Southern Maine Portland campus

Permanently Endowed Funds

Endowments may support University programs, facilities, fellowships, and initiatives in perpetuity. Funds may be restricted or unrestricted, according to your wishes. Once established, the funds are invested as part of USM’s Endowment Fund.

Promise Scholars

Endowed Scholarships

Endowed scholarships are more than financial support; they reflect the values, stories, and aspirations of the individuals, families, organizations, and foundations who make them possible. Learn more about scholarship giving.

Learn more about Named Promise Endowed Scholarships

The vital importance of your endowed gift

  • Financial sustainability: Unlike annual donations that are spent right away, your endowed gift is invested. Only a portion of the earnings are spent each year, creating a long-term source of funding.
  • Permanent impact: Because the principal remains intact, your gift supports students, faculty, and programs in perpetuity, creating a legacy.
  • Faculty excellence: Endowed professorships and chairs help recruit and retain outstanding faculty by funding salaries, research, and academic programs.
  • Innovation & Flexibility: Endowments can provide resources for new initiatives, research, and areas that might not be fully covered by tuition or government funding.
  • Institutional Reputation: A strong endowment signals financial health and stability, helping universities compete nationally and globally.

Learn more about ways to plan a legacy gift on our dedicated website.

Planned Giving Portal

Let’s continue the conversation.

Contact Erin Macey, Executive Director of Development:

Phone: 207.780.4408 or Fax: 207-780-4778

Email: erin.macey@maine.edu

Mail: Make your check payable to University of Southern Maine Foundation and addressed to Erin Macey, USM Foundation, P.O. Box 9300, Portland, ME 04101-9300

Make a gift online

When planning to make a gift to USM, seek the advice of your financial or legal advisor.