Foundation supports University students, program, faculty.
The Westfield State Foundation, Inc. is the fundraising agent of the University.
It raises much-needed scholarships and financial aid for current and prospective students, as well as funding for academic and programmatic initiatives.
Some of the most recent areas that received financial support are The Washington Center internship program, which integrates academic coursework with real-world experience, and the Science, Technology and Math internships that enable students to receive on-the-job training.
Also financed recently were athletic programs, the Interfaith Center, J-Term global experiences and academic scholarships.
The financial support for these endeavors is realized through the following vehicles:
The Annual Fund. This fund consists of operating resources that are used to meet the immediate needs of the University community and is comprised of gifts from loyal alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends. The fund supports financial aid and scholarships, as well as resources for course development, student internships, labs and equipment.
Endowed Funds. Endowed funds support the people, programs and activities of the University in perpetuity, including scholarships for students, faculty excellence and important programmatic needs. Endowments are currently established with gifts of $10,000 or greater.
Planned Giving. Planned giving includes gifts made through bequests and estate instruments, which enable donors to meet their financial and philanthropic goals. There are several methods of planned giving. A Charitable Bequest is awarded to the Foundation at the time of death under a will or trust agreement.
A Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) is an agreement between the donor and Westfield State Foundation, Inc. and can be funded with cash or marketable securities. The Foundation will make fixed payments to donors over their lifetimes and /or the lifetime of a surviving spouse or beneficiary. The minimum gift to establish a CGA is $10,000.
A Charitable Remainder Trust enables givers to place cash, securities or real estate into a separately managed trust that will pay a lifetime income to the giver/and or other beneficiaries, with the principal of the trust eventually passing to the Foundation.
To learn more about supporting the programs and initiatives of Westfield State University students and faculty, please contact Michael Knapik, Executive Director of University Advancement at (413) 485-7350.
