Worcester Business Journal

66 Worcester Business Journal • Giving Guide 2016 www.wbjournal.com Worcester State Foundation Inc. Future Goals Worcester State University recently celebrated the 140th anniversary of its founding and kicked off Change Lives, a comprehensive capital campaign that will fund key priorities for the future. This campaign and WSU's Strategic Plan 2015-2019 set ambitious academic goals for the future of the university. Priority 1 - Student Scholarship When established in 1998, the WSF scholarship program awarded just 15 scholarships. Now, the Foundation awards more than 300 scholarships totaling more than $300,000 annually; we receive far more requests for assistance than we are able to provide. Priority 2 - Academic Development By 2020, the plan envisions WSU will be more widely recognized as an educational innovator. Academic programs will creatively integrate classroom learning with real-world experiential learning. These programs will be responsive to the identified priorities of the Common- wealth of Massachusetts and the global community. Priority 3 - Capital Projects and Equipment Initiatives in the Strategic Plan 2015-2019 include: Ghosh Science & Technology Building, Wellness Center, May Street Building renovations and the Worcester Center for Crafts. Priority 4 - Mission Support The Worcester State Fund — indeed, the whole Worcester State Foundation — exists to support WSU's mission and is comprised of money raised annually through generous gifts from alumni, parents and friends and goes from the Foundation straight to work to enhance WSU's teaching and learning. Fundraising Events/Opportunities The University has a busy calendar full of academic, cultural and community events, speaker series, lec- tures and activities for which sponsorships, financial contributions and in-kind donations are actively and routinely sought. Supporters are thanked in promotional and marketing materials, as well as in our annual report. Significant events include: • WSU Annual Homecoming • WSF Annual Golf Tournament • Visual & Performing Arts Department theater, gallery and chorale performance and exhibition series • University Keynote Speaker Series • And many others Giving Opportunities The Worcester State Foundation Inc. accepts gifts of cash, appreciated securities, gifts from donor- advised funds and family foundations, gifts of real estate or tangible property, matching gifts, and planned, deferred and combination gifts. The Foundation's major annual appeals are in the fall and spring, and each April we hold a 24-hour Day of Giving Challenge. The Change Lives campaign appeals and initiatives will encompass a number of segmented approaches in support of our priorities. More than 4,000 donors support WSU with more than $3.5 million annually. Online donations are gratefully accepted all year long at www.worcester.edu/giving Board of Directors MISSION STATEMENT Service area: The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, with extended student enrollment from the Northeast. To promote the growth and progress of Worcester State University beyond what is possible with state funding. Alumni ......................... 52% Friends ......................... 40% Corporations and foundations ................... 8% Top funding sources: Craig A. Bovaird '77 – Chairman Jill C. Dagilis '78 – Vice Chair James Glickman – Vice Chair Edward L. Sherr – Treasurer Robin J. Quill – Asst. Treasurer Mary C. Ritter – Immediate Past President Thomas M. McNamara '94 – President & Clerk Worcester State Foundation Inc. 486 Chandler St. Worcester, MA 01602 Phone: 508-929-8141 www.worcester.edu/ Worcester-State-Foundation Full-time employees: 0 Annual revenues: $3.5 Million Year founded: 1994 Thomas M. McNamara '94 Vice President, WSU Division of University Advancement President & Clerk Craig A. Bovaird '77 Chairman As chairman, I am honored to uphold the mission of the Worcester State Foundation to enrich and empower Worcester State University, its students, and faculty. Through scholarships, research grants, and funds for capital and facilities improvements, the Worcester State Foundation provides opportunities that promote and sustain a strong future for our region. Our students are tomorrow's leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, and productive citizens. They represent the backbone of our community. Their achievements are made possible through the inspiring generosity of our donors. We are grateful for the continued loyalty of our alumni, friends, business supporters, and our WSU families. Together, we help transform lives. – Craig A. Bovaird '77, Chairman

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