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UMass Chan Cares marks major milestones with launch of 2025 annual giving campaign

By Pat Sargent

October 27, 2025

In its fourth year, UMass Chan Cares is approaching significant milestones in its annual charitable giving campaign and employee volunteer initiatives. 

UMass Chan Medical School faculty, students and employees have contributed nearly $1 million to a wide range of causes and organizations they care about. Through the employee volunteer initiative, more than 600 UMass Chan staff members have spent nearly 7,000 hours volunteering at 100-plus nonprofit organizations.  

“Each year, our community comes together to demonstrate care and compassion for our friends and neighbors. Over the years, our students, faculty and staff have contributed their money and time to strengthen our communities and make a difference in the lives of others,” Chancellor Michael F. Collins said.  

The 2025 UMass Chan Cares campaign starts on Monday, Oct. 27, and will run through Wednesday, Nov. 26. 

“The program’s success is a direct result of the enthusiasm of our volunteers and all of the members of the UMass Chan community who make contributions year after year,” said John Erwin, MBA, vice chancellor for government relations.  

“Part of what makes UMass Chan Cares work, and what’s been successful for us the last four years, is that we try to respond to what the community needs. We’re talking to leaders and stakeholders, trying to figure out how we can directly respond to the needs that are present today in our community,” said Ché Anderson, assistant vice chancellor for city and community relations.  

From left:: Ché Anderson, Katie Stickney and John Erwin of UMass Chan’s Community and Government Relations team
From left: Ché Anderson, Katie Stickney and John Erwin of UMass Chan’s Community and Government Relations team 
Photo: Bryan Goodchild 

May also marked the inaugural UMass Chan Cares Days of Service initiative, when more than 100 staff members volunteered their time to make an impact locally, including planting vegetables to address food insecurity, cleaning local parks, teaching job interview skills, painting and more. 

“We’re hoping to continue the momentum of our big Days of Service program. The direct support work of our volunteer hours is impactful and meaningful. We have a lot of employees who want to volunteer their time and bring a special focus to these projects, and that’s something our community organizations really appreciate. They know we’re here to work for them and help lighten their load,” said Katie Stickney, project manager for the Office of Community and Government Relations.  

The Days of Service initiative will return for its second year in 2026.  

UMass Chan Cares options for giving: 

North Quadrant Support Services initiative addresses some of the socioeconomic barriers to academic success faced by many students in Worcester’s North Quadrant.  Annual initiatives include classroom enrichment grants, backpacks and school supplies for elementary school students and funding to support food pantries in the schools. 

UMass Chan Medical School Foundation 
  • The Research Fund supports UMass Chan research that advances treatments and cures for a range of diseases, creating a better future for all of us. 

  • The Student Financial Aid Fund provides students who are financially disadvantaged with opportunities to pursue education at UMass Chan—opportunities that would otherwise be inaccessible. 

  • The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fund supports institution-wide efforts to raise awareness among members of our community about the importance of diversity and inclusion and address bias. 

  • The UMass Chan Medical School Max Baker Resource Center is available for students in all three schools facing food insecurity or barriers to accessing food and personal hygiene products. 

  • The UMass Chan Medical School Fund provides important unrestricted financial support to our world-class institution and allows UMass Chan to put the funds to use wherever and whenever the mission-critical need is greatest as situations arise throughout the year. 

Contributions can be directed to the United Way of Central Massachusetts, supporting its work in the region, or to any of nearly 1,000 prescreened nonprofit organizations spanning the globe.  

Gifts may be made via payroll deduction, credit card or check. Learn more and donate at the  UMass Chan Cares  giving site. 

Employees also have the option of volunteering their time through the UMass Chan Cares volunteer initiative. Employees can use up to 16 hours of scheduled work time per year to support their favorite causes and institutions as volunteers. Information about how to participate in the UMass Chan Cares volunteer initiative can be found on the Office of Community and Government Relations intranet site.