About Westfield State Foundation, Inc.

The Westfield State Foundation was established in 1980 as a public-private partnership for raising funds to support Westfield State University.

This goal is just as relevant today as it was nearly 40 years ago. Diminishing state appropriations balanced with the strong need to keep a state university education affordable and accessible for students, drive the Foundation to seek greater private support.

The Westfield State Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. The Foundation’s purpose is to plan initiatives and perform activities that support the University’s continuing growth and effort to change lives. The Foundation effectively raises funds and carefully manages charitable gifts for the support of the University.

Working with the University and other partners, the Foundation operates under the leadership of a board that's made up of respected community professionals and alumni whose purpose it is to support the University through active fund-raising and advocacy. The Foundation seeks greater private support through a variety of giving opportunities.

The Foundation's philanthropic programs include annual giving, special events, major gifts, capital campaigns, endowments and planned giving. The Foundation sponsors on-campus activities and supports University projects that enrich the entire learning experience for our students and offer vivid cultural opportunities for the greater community. Your gift can complement limited state funding to scholarship programs; building funds; cultural, artistic and athletic programs; and so much more.

The professional staff of the Division of Institutional Advancement supports the work of the Foundation and is here to help achieve your philanthropic, financial, and estate planning goals. We invite you to include your financial advisors on all philanthropic efforts.

Our Mission

Board of Directors

History of Westfield State Foundation, Inc.

AT THE INTERSECTION OF COMMUNITY AND COMMITMENT

The Westfield State Foundation

Since the University’s founding more than 175 years ago, the faculty, staff and students of Westfield State have been the stewards of a grand tradition of scholarship and service. Westfield State’s founder Horace Mann set the benchmarks for our work as an educational institution. He believed that education and religious freedom are the means by which American liberties are preserved and he saw public higher education as the birthright of every child. He championed an education which moved beyond the attainment of knowledge by emphasizing its use in the service of the greater community.

It was in 1980 that a group of committed business leaders and volunteers came together with representatives of what was then Westfield State College to establish a gathering place that would serve all faiths and enhance the quality of the spiritual life of students and the greater community. In order to successfully raise funding for the Center, they formed the Westfield State Foundation as a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization through the IRS.

In May of 1981, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts voted to transfer the deed for a 70' by 90' piece of land on the campus green to the Foundation. Constructed by Heritage Homes, Inc. of Westfield and funded through the generosity of 30 local businesses, community stakeholders and philanthropist Albert Ferst, the Albert and Amelia Ferst Interfaith Center was dedicated the following year. Since its dedication in 1982, the Center has offered religious services, pastoral counseling and a variety of interfaith activities, administered by a dedicated staff of faith leaders, while the Foundation has gone on to become an essential component of University life. Learn more about the Interfaith Center here.

Under the leadership of the Executive Director, board of area professionals, and alumni, the Westfield State Foundation’s sole purpose is to support the University through active fundraising and advocacy. Continuing that great town-gown tradition of community leaders, working on behalf of students, faculty, staff and the greater good, the Foundation’s philanthropic programs are many.

These include:

Scholarship
Endowment and planned giving programs
Capital and major gifts campaigns
An annual appeal and fundraising efforts