"Little By little, a little becomes a lot” – Tanzanian Proverb

You can make a significant impact in the lives of nursing students and nursing education at the Elaine Marieb College of Nursing (EMCoN) by making a monthly donation and joining the Mary Maher Monthly Giving Society. You will join fellow alumni and donors who are committed to the long-term success of our nursing students and nursing education at UMass.

Why monthly giving?

The first person to ensure the viability of our college was Founding Dean Mary A. Maher, who worked tirelessly with local, state, and university leaders to introduce the state’s first public higher institution baccalaureate and graduate nursing programs at UMass Amherst in 1953. Alumni who attended the EMCoN under founding Dean Mary A. Maher shared that Dean Maher led by example, held students to account, always believed that a goal was reachable, and was deeply committed to the long-term sustainability of the college. As our first Dean from 1953 – 1970, she is a key reason why we have been able to educate over 6,000 alumni at a top-level research university, and our alumni have gone on to better the nursing profession all over the world. In her honor, we salute those donors who are committed to assuring the long-term success of our student nurses and public nursing education in Massachusetts.

Whether you are a graduate of our school or were impacted by a nurse, donating monthly is a tried-and-true way to make a philanthropic impact without making a large dent in your wallet. Monthly giving allows our college to understand which philanthropic funds are coming in each month, so we can utilize your contributions with strategic purpose to give our students the best possible nursing education they can receive. 

Join the Mary Maher Monthly Giving Society today!

Nursing alumni and donors understand the impact of monthly giving, and it’s their preferred way to support. Meet Mary Lussier-Cushing ’76, a proud alumna and a monthly donor of many years. 

“I loved my years at UMass Amherst and have many fond memories! I very much value the education I received and the career opportunities for which I was well prepared. It enabled me to support my family when faced with my husband’s illness, and a subsequent period of financial loss and hardship, as well as our desire to assist our daughter with her education and wedding, all while preparing for our eventual retirement.  I am not in a position to make a large donation, but by setting up monthly giving, I am able to make a more substantial contribution over time to give back to the UMass Amherst Elaine Marieb College of Nursing.”

Mary chooses to support the Helen A. Reid Scholarship, named after the mother and dedicated longtime nurse of her classmate Patricia Reid Ponte ’76. The Helen A. Reid Scholarship recipient explains how the funds “will allow me to focus more on my course work and clinical skills. Not only does this scholarship help me financially, but it shows that University of Massachusetts Nursing Alumni and donors are supportive of a future generation of nurses who are working to improve the health and well-being of future patients.”

How will you make an impact?

Here are a few examples of how monthly support translates into a difference for students:

· $5 a month could provide an essential wristwatch for clinical and classroom experiences

· $15 a month could outfit an aspiring nurse with a nursing uniform and shoes

· $25 a month could cover registration for four semesters for an aspiring nurse who changed careers 

· $30 a month could equip an aspiring nurse with a complete set of nursing uniform, shoes, name badge, stethoscope, and watch 

· $80 a month could prepare a graduating nurse to ace the NCLEX with a testing preparation package 

Any monthly contribution – WILL make a difference in the lives of our nursing students.

If you have any questions, please contact Ben Monat, Associate Director, Donor Relations, University of Massachusetts Amherst Foundation at bmonat@uma-foundation.org or 413-727-2853. Thank you for your consideration. We would be grateful for you to sustain nursing education at UMass and empower our students to receive an incredible nursing education.