The University of Southern Maine Foundation supports the success of USM and its students by engaging with our alumni, cultivating relationships and fostering a culture of philanthropy. Because we are an independent, nonprofit organization, the Foundation is better able to partner with USM to shape a great future for our students, our communities and the state of Maine. Our work makes a meaningful difference in the lives of USM students. Often, they are the first in their families to attend college. They may be recent high school graduates, working adults, or newcomers to America. They may be military veterans or older students returning to complete their degrees. They may be struggling to pay for their education, while balancing work and family. Through programs like the Promise Scholarship and other endowed scholarships, we are helping more students achieve their dreams of a college education.Now entering our third decade of service, the USM Foundation is pursuing new and innovative ways to strengthen scholarship programs, raise capital and achieve ambitious goals, as we help to build great futures for students at the University of Southern Maine. We succeed by engaging with our alumni, community and employer partners, philanthropists, and others in the wider community – connecting them with meaningful opportunities to invest their time, skills, and resources.With students at the center of our mission, we are building a solid foundation for their futures and for the future workforce of Maine.The USM Foundation is an independent, nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization governed by a Board of Directors, which has full responsibility for the Foundation's strategic direction and advancement efforts.