ORONO, Maine – Maine Athletics concluded a record fundraising year with the department raising $10.6 million in gifts and pledges during the 2024 fiscal year, which ran from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Nearly 2,100 supporters made individual gifts or pledges to the department, all to directly support Black Bear Athletics. 

A total of $9.3 million of the $10.6 million raised during the 2023-24 season was committed to the Advancing Athletics Master Facilities Fund. This number excludes the $80 million commitment made by the Harold Alfond Foundation to support the Athletics Facilities Master Plan. Combining that pledge, which was made to the UMaine System, Maine Athletics secured $90.6 million in gifts and pledges last fiscal year.

"All the recognition for this outstanding fundraising year for UMaine Athletics should be given directly to our donors," says Senior Associate Athletic Director for Development and Capital Planning Seth Woodcock. "We are so fortunate to have such a force of support behind our programs and Maine's Flagship University. All of our supporters, including alumni, fans, and businesses, understand the power of philanthropy and the impact gifts of all sizes have as we seek to provide a great experience for our student-athletes and realize the full potential and value of Black Bear Athletics for our University, community and the state of Maine."

Of the $10.6 million mark, $7 million was committed by New Balance Inc. to support Maine's new soccer and track & field complex while an additional $2.15 million from the Department of Housing and Urban Development was secured to support ADA projects at Harold Alfond Arena and other facilities.

"UMaine also had a record year with over $95 million raised," says President/CEO of the University of Maine Foundation Jeff Mills. "Athletics is a critical piece of overall fundraising and raises the public profile of the institution."

This comes on the heels of a $11 million commitment from Phil and Susan Morse to support the construction of Morse Arena, which will be the new home for the UMaine men's and women's basketball programs. 

Maine Athletics is a signature initiative of UMS TRANSFORMS, the Harold Alfond Foundation's historic $320 million investment in the University of Maine System - boldly reshaping the UMaine athletics infrastructure with best-in-class facilities and convening venues at the state's flagship university in Orono for the benefit and well-being of students and all of Maine. In addition, the annual Alfond Fund challenge provides significant operational support for UMaine football and other key athletics priorities.

The vision of the Harold Alfond Foundation, together with the exceptional generosity of UMaine donors, is delivering new facilities for our student athletes as part of the Athletics Facilities Master Plan.

Those interested in supporting the Black Bears can visit GoBlackBears.com/give to make an unrestricted gift to the Alfond Fund or choose to support a specific program of their choice or contact the University of Maine Foundation at 207-581-5100 to discuss capital gifts, planned gifts or one of the many other giving opportunities available. 

-UMaine-