On Wednesday, October 14, Thomas College announced that it has received a $13.5 million grant from the Harold Alfond Foundation and that with the gift, the College is launching its Guarantee the Future fundraising campaign.
The Harold Alfond Foundation’s grant will support the College’s sustained excellence and growth through the launch of new academic programs in leading-edge fields, enhanced student retention programs, expanded affordability initiatives, and a deepening of academic and employer community partnerships through the Harold Alfond Institute for Business Innovation.
“The Foundation’s historic gift to Thomas College is a true vote of confidence in both the College’s vision of providing unparalleled professional and career development that is affordable and grounded in a solid foundation of business, technology and innovation and our college’s legacy of producing the workforce to catalyze economic growth,” said Thomas President Laurie G. Lachance.
The Harold Alfond Foundation’s philanthropic commitment is the largest in Thomas College’s history. It helps to fuel the College’s Guarantee the Future Campaign, with a total goal of $27 million. In addition to the Foundation’s gift, the Campaign aims to invest in scholarships and affordability; academic and student support programs; and a new athletic facility. Lachance notes that the effort is more than twice the College’s last campaign and has less than a million dollars left to raise.
“Thomas has a strong history of growth and service to Maine students, especially first-generation students,” said Campaign Co-Chair Doug Cutchin, a Thomas trustee. “The College’s focused mission is one of the many reasons my family and I have enthusiastically supported Thomas, including through this Campaign. The Foundation’s gift will have a catalytic effect on Thomas and the Maine economy.”