Annual Giving Impact Report

When opportunities arise or needs emerge unexpectedly, donor support to WPI's Areas of Greatest Need Fund provides the flexibility to respond quickly. This unrestricted support strengthens every corner of campus, helping fund priorities that directly enhance the student experience, support faculty innovation, and address the university's most pressing needs.
 

Over $3.3 million was raised during the last year in support of WPI’s unrestricted Areas of Greatest Need. This fund provides support to the full educational experience and bridges the gap in the university’s operating budget. It allows much needed flexibility and enables WPI to respond to emerging needs quickly. 

Thanks to philanthropic support, talented students from a wide range of backgrounds can access the transformative educational opportunities that define a WPI experience.

Today, more than 90% of WPI students receive financial assistance, making donor support for scholarships one of the most important investments in student success. A WPI education is one of the best investments a student can make for themselves. However, it comes at a cost that many families find overwhelming. Support for financial aid and scholarships helps over 90% of WPI students further their education and prepare for careers in engineering, science, business, and more. 

“As alumni, we can make a difference in the lives of so many worthy students who can then use their WPI education to make a difference in the world.” David Huhtala ’80 

"I hope to go to medical school and make a positive impact on people’s lives. It means the world to me to have the opportunity to study at a world‑class institution that’s helping me move closer to that goal, and I’m deeply grateful for the support that makes it possible." Joseph '27

Donor support helps WPI continuously innovate its academic offerings, ensuring students have access to cutting-edge educational experiences that reflect emerging trends in technology, business, and society.

By investing in WPI, donors help empower future generations of graduates to lead, innovate, and make meaningful contributions in a rapidly changing world. This past year, WPI announced two new bachelor’s degree programs—a Bachelor of Science in marketing analytics and a bachelor of science in business analytics and applied A.I.. Both were designed to equip students with the data-driven and AI-enabled decision-making skills that are increasingly sought after across today’s competitive business landscape. 

President Grace Wang said , “These new degree programs exemplify WPI’s commitment to preparing our students for the future of work.”

Lithium-Ion batteries are everywhere and play a crucial role across many industries and technologies, but disposing of them has been problematic. Thanks for a $1 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy, WPI Professor Yan Wang will work on a process to recycle components and return them to the manufacturing pipeline. 

WPI received a $5 million award from the Massachusetts’ Clean Energy Center to transform industrial lab space at WPI. The upgraded facility will collocate startups alongside WPI researchers and provide innovation suites to allow start-ups and researchers to work and develop technologies side by side. More details available here.

The Global Lab is developing a digital twin of Worcester to support urban climate resilience planning. This project can be scaled and used by other cities across the country and around the world. 

Alzheimer's affects 7 million people across the U.S., not including the millions of loved ones who are also impacted. WPI researchers have used a form of artificial intelligence (AI) to analyze anatomical changes in the brain and predict Alzheimer’s disease with nearly 93% accuracy. Read more here. 

WPI Field Hockey, Men’s Basketball, Track and Field, and Softball had terrific runs in their respective NCAA tournaments. Dana Harmon, Director of Physical Education, Recreation, and Athletics, had this to say about the impact of donor support to these programs and all of athletics: 

“Donor support to our teams and athletic program overall is crucial. Our coaches, student-athletes, and administrators work hard day in and day out to engineer excellence in the classroom, competition, and in the community, with our current donor support making all the difference in our success. Our donors make all the difference in what we can do for our athletic program now and into the future.”

Over 1,800 alumni, parents, and friends came together on Giving Day in September 2025. Together they supported over 100 student groups and organizations. Student clubs and organizations provide valuable opportunities for students to gain leadership skills and to build community outside the classroom, making this support critical to enhancing the WPI experience.