
Establishing a NON-ENDOWED named scholarship
A named fund requires a minimum initial contribution of $5,000. Unless additional funds are received subsequent to the creation of the scholarship, awards are distributed until the funds are exhausted. With this commitment, donors may choose to provide specific criteria and preferences to the Academy’s Scholarship Committee regarding which cadets are eligible to receive the funds. These criteria may include (among others) areas of study, class year, or GPA. Please note that as the Academy participates in Div. III sports, scholarships specifically based on participation in a varsity athletic program are not allowed.
The funds must be received in their entirety prior to any scholarship award being made. Donors are welcome to continue their scholarship with annual gifts to their fund.
Establishing an ENDOWED named scholarship
A named endowed scholarship requires a minimum of $50,000 as either a one-time gift or as a pledge to be paid over five years. With this commitment, donors may choose to provide specific criteria and preferences to the Academy’s Scholarship Committee regarding which cadets are eligible to receive the funds. These criteria may include (among others) areas of study, class year, or GPA. Please note that as the Academy participates in Div. III sports, scholarships specifically based on participation in a varsity athletic program are not allowed.
With an endowment, the Foundation invests the initial gift which generates an annual spend rate that is distributed according to the fund agreement. This type of scholarship fund continues into perpetuity and creates an important source of support for our cadets into the future as well as establishing a permanent legacy for the donor.
The corpus of the scholarship fund will not be invaded and all awards will come from the earnings according to the MMA Foundation’s distribution policy. Presently, the rate of spending is 5% of the average market value of the accounts, using a 36-month rolling average.

Highlight: Flanagan Endowed Scholarship
It's been 60 years since the Class of 1964 left Taylor’s Point, however the class has remained close. This past spring, those close bonds were reaffirmed in real time as Bud and wife B.A. hosted many of their shipmates for a three-day celebration back where it all started, Buzzards Bay. This event culminated with the signing of a new gift agreement in which the Flanagan’s pledged to the Academy $5-million dollars to create the ADM William "Bud" Flanagan '64 & BA Flanagan Endowed Scholarship.
Marking this occasion with his shipmates was very important to Bud. A retired four-star Admiral with three decades of naval service before becoming a Wall Street executive, he knows success is rarely a one man show and requires the help and efforts of many who are critical to the overall mission.
The philanthropy of the Flanagan’s and the Class of 1964 in giving back to Massachusetts Maritime Academy is deeply rooted in the values of friendship, leadership, and scholarship instilled in them at the Academy. For Bud and B.A., it’s not the size of their contributions that defines them, but rather a deep love for helping future Buccaneers succeed.
For information on this and other undergraduate rewards click here.