AMHERST, Mass. – This year’s UMass Amherst Community Campaign (UMACC) raised $482,488, exceeding its $450,000 goal. Since the campaign began in 1990, faculty, staff and retirees have now donated over $10 million to nonprofit organizations locally and around the world. This year’s campaign also broke the record for the most money raised in a single campaign ($476,666), set in 2008-09.
“We are thrilled that our UMass employees and retirees came together to strengthen our community in such a meaningful way,” Chancellor Kumble Subbaswamy said. “Everyone needs a helping hand at some point in their lives, and UMass employees and retirees are generously offering their support. We are grateful and proud of their contributions.”
UMACC is the UMass Amherst workplace giving program, which enables faculty, staff and retirees to donate to any 501(c)(3) nonprofit in the world that they choose. Over 65 percent of the funds raised this year will go to Western Massachusetts nonprofit organizations, also an increase over previous years.
Jen Gallant, UMACC campaign manager, said, “Once again, we are inspired with the incredible generosity of the UMass community. We see employees from all levels and departments give to an impressive variety of causes because they care deeply and want to make the world a better place.”
Almost 450 organizations will receive donations pledged by nearly 700 people. The organizations that donors supported include well-known ones such as the Amherst Survival Center and the United Way of Hampshire County as well as lesser-known ones such as the Franklin County Community Meals Program and Family Outreach of Amherst.