St. Joseph’s University, New York’s sixth annual Giving Day raised over $100,000 to benefit 22 student and faculty crowdfunding initiatives on April 17.
More than 700 gifts were made by donors during the 24-hour fundraising campaign, providing financial support for projects at the Brooklyn and Long Island campuses, SJNY Online, and the University at large.
“Days like today connect our alumni from days of old, whether they give $20 or $1,000,” said Rory Shaffer-Walsh, vice president for institutional advancement.
“Thank you so very much for supporting our Giving Day, our projects and the people behind the projects,” she said. “Every gift matters, and every person who participates matters.”
The University hosted special Giving Day luncheons on both physical campuses Wednesday during common hour, bringing together loyal and new donors alike to enjoy a meal, receive prizes, and learn about meaningful projects from the students who created them.
“People say to me, ‘Wouldn’t it be great if you had a $1 billion endowment?’ and I say no, it wouldn’t be great,” SJNY President Donald R. Boomgaarden, Ph.D., said at the Long Island campus luncheon. “If we did, we wouldn’t be able to connect with people the way we do. We wouldn’t be able to reach out or be part of the community anymore.
“We’re not a bank, we’re not a big financial institution,” he continued. “We’re a nonprofit higher education institution structured on the ideals and the message and the wonderful charism of the Sisters of St. Joseph, which is all about giving and all about gratitude.”
Funding the University’s Mission
With a wide array of initiatives to choose from, donors got to support campaigns that aligned with their interests. Others gave to projects they deemed crucial to the betterment of the institution.
A Brooklyn Campus campaign to support its Food Pantry raised funds that will help students struggling with food insecurities, collecting more than $2,000 and passing its goal. Brooklyn’s Academic Center for English Language Studies (ACES) program sought funding for cultural outings and received nearly $1,000 in donations.
The art department at the Long Island Campus raised nearly $1,000 for new equipment and materials, ensuring the enhancement of art students’ experiences. The Campus’ M.A. in Literacy and Cognition also raised money, collecting $1,400 for materials for their Literacy Clinic, which is free for local children. The Department of Biology raised almost $2,000 for heated shakers at both campuses, which will allow for more accurate results in their labs.
University-wide funding of the Student Emergency Fund surpassed its goal, raising more than $8,000 to help students in times of need. An appeal for donations to help pay for nursing equipment at both campuses raised more than $5,100. The Online Book Fund raised more than $1,800 to help support SJNY Online students pay for required textbooks.
The President’s Fund for Highest Priorities was the single most-funded project, collecting more than $13,700 and nearly tripling its goal of $5,000. The fund will be used by Dr. Boomgaarden and the leadership team to support annual priorities throughout the University, advancing short- and long-term goals as well as the overall mission of SJNY.
The University’s Board of Trustees made a matching donation to the first $9,500 gifted.
Clubs and Athletics Programs Secure Crucial Support
Fresh off a strong season, the Long Island Equestrian Team secured nearly $2,000 in gifts in a bid to send riders to summer training sessions.
A total of five varsity athletics programs at the Brooklyn Campus and eight at the Long Island Campus held campaigns for various initiatives. The Brooklyn men’s soccer team raised $2,550 to enhance the student-athlete experience, while the Long Island women’s swimming team surpassed its goal of $1,000 .
The Long Island women’s lacrosse team drew more supporters (53) than any other team on either campus, collecting more than $5,000.
Long Island Campus’ chapter of Brothers and Sisters in Christ (BASIC), a non-denominational Christian club, raised more than $750 last year to help send the group to BASICCON, a biannual conference of BASIC groups nationwide, this April. This year, they surpassed their goal of $1,000 for the same project.
The Brooklyn Alumni Board made a matching gift of $1,000 for the Tuohy Hall courtyard project, and the Long Island Alumni Board made the same for the memorial bench project. All together, the projects raised more than $7,000, with the Tuohy Hall courtyard project surpassing its goal.
For a full list of this year’s projects and their funding, click here.
