Friends has provided a number of significant donations to WMU including navigation training equipment, transportation services, texts and periodicals, and scholarships. While these donations which are valued at several million dollars,the results of Friends beneficence has been felt throughout the world as the students return to their countries to become leaders in government and industry.

The critical role of WMU in working to achieve safer shipping and cleaner oceans, as well as University's reliance on the broadest possible range of support was recognized immediately. Captains of US maritime industry and commerce joined together with retired admirals of the US Navy and Coast Guard therefore joined together to establish The Friends of WMU, Inc. in 1983, the same year as the University was founded.

If you would like to make a donation, please make your check payable and mail to:

Friends of World Maritime University, Inc.
c/o Kevin G. Woelflein, Treasurer
322 North Pitt Street
Alexandria, VA 22314

or call us at 202-639-8000.

Where does the money come from?
The University depends on annual voluntary contributions from external donors, and does not receive any recurrent funding from the International Maritime Organization. The money is given for two basic purposes: to operate the University, and to pay for the living, accommodation and travel expenses of the students. Our total annual income, for both our operating budget and student support, is US $6.8 million.

How does WMU spend it?
The University's main expense is student subsistence. Student fellowships provided by donors are used to provide accommodation, living expenses and travel for the students. The bulk of our operational expenditure is naturally used to provide academic staff and the support staff necessary to run the University's teaching programmes. Our academic and administrative services include field studies for the students and the costs of travel and also invested in new academic support technology in the library and computer laboratories, to ensure that our students are provided with a supportive learning environment. WMU is fortunate in that many of our costs are met by direct donations, which means that we can devote our resources to what matters most: high-level education and training for the world's key maritime personnel.