A New Pathway for Giving

Michael Dakin, A95, a Massachusetts native with roots in Maine, has lived and worked in London for nearly two decades. Through the years, he has maintained his connection to Tufts, where he studied economics and political science; he has also served on the Tufts International Board of Advisors since 2020.

His most recent multiyear gift, conceived of by Dakin and his wife, Anne Maka, along with daughters Lucia and Olivia, was made to Tufts Global UK, Limited, a newly established charity that accepts donations from alumni, parents, and friends who are U.K. taxpayers. Dakin has requested that the gift support Tufts University School of Dental Medicine’s Advanced Education in General Dentistry (AEGD) program in Maine.

Dakin’s gift is the first to be received by Tufts Global UK, Limited, and will be boosted by the U.K.’s Gift Aid scheme, which entitles Tufts Global UK, Limited, to reclaim an additional 25% of the value of the donation from tax paid by Dakin in the U.K. A longtime advocate of expanding donation opportunities for those living abroad, Dakin is pleased to see Tufts broaden its reach to U.K.-based alumni.

“Tufts is a global organization with a global outlook,” he said. “It’s important for us to be represented around the world—to show that we are here and to plant a flag, so to speak, in the U.K. I’m thrilled to be able to give back to both Tufts and the Maine community, each of which I love so much.”

Dakin’s support will benefit participants in the AEGD program’s Maine-based residency, a one-year postgraduate program for dentistry students seeking additional clinical training under the guidance of experienced faculty. The program addresses the tremendous need of those in Maine who have no other access to dental care.

“Working with the development team at Tufts was a revelation for me,” Dakin said. “When they put me in touch with Gina Terenzi, director at AEGD, I learned more about dentistry than I ever thought possible. And the global connection was perfect, since so many dentists, including AEGD participants graduating from the School of Dental Medicine, are international students.” Dakin’s gift to Tufts Global UK, Limited, will go toward keeping the AEGD program on the cutting edge of dentistry. He hopes his support will inspire others to give to the new charity, which ensures smooth, tax-efficient donations for alumni, parents, and friends who are also U.K. taxpayers.

To learn more about Tufts Global UK, Limited, visit globaluk.tufts.edu.

Tufts Global UK, Limited is a charity registered in England and Wales. Number: 1206207 • Company Registration Number: 14738727 • Registered office: Tufts Global UK, Limited c/o Withers LLP, 20 Old Bailey, London, EC4M 7AN, United Kingdom