By MICHAEL NORTON
Strategists are targeting the holiday giving period and the spring commencement season as part of a new, two-stage effort to raise up to $1 billion in private funds for scholarships and financial aid, faculty research and other priorities at the five-campus University of Massachusetts.
The University of Massachusetts Foundation on Friday announced its plans for a print, digital and radio capital fundraising campaign.
The "Your UMass Gift Works" ads were produced by the national agency Lipman Hearne, and the campaign was developed by Boathouse Inc. of Waltham, working with communications officials in UMass President Robert Caret's office.
"The state has demonstrated a strong commitment to the University and we are grateful for the public support, which we believe reflects our legacy of delivering results," Caret, who is also president of the foundation, said in a statement. "Now, we are looking to couple that with increased support from the private sector because the future of this vital state asset lies in sustained support from both the public and private sectors."
In the most recent fiscal year, UMass increased private fundraising by 12 percent, pushing its endowment up to a record $757 million.