Giving Opportunities

Gifts can be designated by the donor for many purposes. UMR, working with community leaders and colleagues, has identified two areas of importance in creating a vibrant university: Scholarships to attract the best students and assist those with financial needs; and Strategic investment funds to launch new programs and respond quickly to emerging teaching, research, and outreach needs.

Scholarships

Education is the cornerstone for economic and cultural advancement of thriving communities. Highly skilled and educated workers must be drawn from Southeastern Minnesota as well as attracting workers from areas outside the region. With rising costs for higher education and cost of living, many highly motivated and talented people simply cannot pursue higher education due to a lack of funds.

Scholarships provide an important bridge in helping students achieve personal goals of enhancing their skills and abilities through higher education. Upon completion of their degrees, graduates are readily able to enter the workforce and provide exceptional levels of service to enhance the economic base of their communities and the region. Higher levels of education benefit the individual and the the economic health of communities.

Chancellors Fund for Excellence

Southeastern Minnesota is growing quickly and the need for educational, cultural, and research opportunities must keep pace with the advancement in population and business expectations. The locally controlled Chancellors Fund for Excellence provides the flexibility to rapidly respond to community needs.

• Supporting research start-up projects in health sciences, technology, business, and education
• Organizing new academic degree programs to meet the unique needs of regional businesses, industries, and education
• Developing innovative continuing professional education opportunities
• Providing community activity "seed" funds