University Advancement

The Office of Foundation and Corporate Relations enlists support for academic programs, faculty, and students. We invite the business community, in particular, to be partners in our success and that of their future employees and customers. Over two-thirds of our 33,000-plus alumni live and work in the Worcester area, and the University employs more than 500 area residents.

To help them learn about us and our students, we encourage area business leaders to get involved in our academic, cultural, and social activities. In addition, many of them serve as volunteers or members of departmental advisory boards or committees.

We also develop proposals to area corporations, local, and national foundations, and government funders to support the University’s programs and mission. Corporate grants, matching gifts, and in-kind contributions fund student scholarships, faculty development, athletic teams, lecture series, cultural events, academic awards, and more.

Area corporations have provided vital support for such projects as our Upward Bound program for minority high-school students, the Latino Education Institute, our Students in Free Enterprise Club, and more. Over the years, local and national foundations have also been very generous. For instance, the George F. and Sybil H. Fuller Foundation supported the Latino Education Institute and the renovaton of our theater; the George I. Alden Trust helped finance our Center for Teaching and Learning and  renovation of our library; and the Francis A. & Jacquelyn H. Harrington Foundation funded library purchases.