UMass Lowell Days of Giving Donors Top $900K in Gifts

05/06/2025

Media contacts: David Joyner, senior director, communications and digital media, David_Joyner@uml.edu and Nancy Cicco, assistant director of media relations, Nancy_Cicco@uml.edu

LOWELL, Mass. – UMass Lowell achieved remarkable success during its eighth annual Days of Giving celebration, raising more than $900,000 from 3,200 donors to support scholarships, career resources, athletics, food and housing insecurity programs, first-generation students and more.

Donors were able to designate their gifts for any aspect of the university that resonates with them, including support for five impact areas that enhance UMass Lowell students’ lives on and off campus:

• Career-connected experiences – These opportunities prepare students for rewarding professional lives and are supported by the Chancellor Julie Chen Fund for Student Success. 
• The Finish Line Scholars Fund – Students with financial challenges receive assistance to complete their education.
• First-generation student support – Individuals who are the first in their families to attend college receive scholarships and are paired with mentors. 
• The UMass Lowell Strive Program – Contributions help cover food and housing costs to help meet the basic needs of select students.
• River Hawk student-athletes – Donations empower the university’s Division 1 athletes to excel both in their sports and in the classroom.

This year, Days of Giving benefitted from the support of the JJW Family Foundation, which provided a $25,000 challenge gift to boost participation. Funds awarded included:   

• $5,000 to the UMass Lowell Strive Food Pantry, the featured impact area that drew the support of the most donors;
• $5,000 to the UMass Lowell’s College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the school or college supported by the most donors;
• $3,000 to UMass Lowell men’s Cross Country and Indoor/Outdoor Track, the athletics team that drew the most donors, and $2,000 to UMass Lowell Field Hockey, the team with the second-most donors;
• $5,000 to the Center for Asian American Studies, the department, institute or center that drew the most donors; and 
• $2,500 to the UMass Lowell Rocketry Club, the student club or organization with the most donors; $1,500 to Sigma Tau Gamma, the student club or organization with the second-most donors; and $1,000 to the Business Professionals of America, the student club or organization with the third-most donors.

The Strive Food Pantry, which provides food and basic necessities to students facing financial challenges, was a major focus this year. For students like Justin Baez Peguero ’24, ’25, the impact of programs including Strive goes far beyond meeting basic needs. 

“The UML Strive program made a huge difference in my life by helping me afford college as an independent minor,” said Baez Peguero, a student alumni ambassador who assisted with Days of Giving events. “Without this support, I wouldn’t have been able to stay in school since I didn’t have financial help from my parents. Because of donor support to Strive and scholarships, I worked fewer hours and had more time to get involved in student leadership, joining multiple club executive boards and even becoming president of the UMass Lowell Class of 2024. This program didn’t just help me stay in school, it gave me the chance to grow and succeed both personally and professionally.”

The enthusiasm shown by alumni, students, faculty, staff and friends throughout Days of Giving reflected the strong pride and commitment that define the UMass Lowell community, according to Vice Chancellor for University Advancement John Feudo. 

“The response to Days of Giving was nothing short of inspiring. Our community came together to show just how much they believe in UMass Lowell. We’re deeply grateful to every donor, volunteer and advocate who took part. Their support makes a lasting difference for our students and the university,” Feudo said.