Accept the “Challenge”: RowanGIVES 2021 supports students despite pandemic

For the seventh consecutive year, Rowan University challenges its community to support initiatives that shape education and provide opportunities for countless students.

The annual RowanGIVES event, for the first time to be held fully online and spread over three days March 23-25, seeks donors to support some of the most important University initiatives, including the Student Emergency Fund, which in 2020-21 has been especially important due to Covid 19; Neighbors Table, a Rowan partnership that since January provided meals and helped ease food insecurity for members of the Glassboro community; and social justice measures supported by the Division of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion.

Director of Annual Giving Amie Marshall said RowanGIVES enables various Rowan constituents, from students, faculty and staff to alumni, parents and friends of the University, to support initiatives that mean the most to them. The program encourages donors to give what they can – be it a monetary donation or a social media post – to show they believe in Rowan and its mission to increase access to a college degree.

The 2020 event shattered participation and fund raising goals, generating more than $130,000.

“Our goal, as always, is to get as many members of the Rowan community to take part as possible,” Marshall said.

Accept the challenge

With a goal of 1,500 participants, the program will have three focus points March 23, 24 and 25: Feed Our Neighbors; Diversity, Equity and Inclusion; and Covid-19 Relief.

Private donors provided a pool of money that will be released each day in support of those areas once participation goals are reached.

“There will be $8,000 in total challenge money,” Marshall said. “When we get 500 donors, $500 unlocks to support Neighbors Table. When we get 1,000 donors, $500 unlocks for DEI programming. And when we hit 1,500 donors, $500 unlocks for the Student Emergency Fund.”

This year’s 15 fundraising challenges include the RowanSOM Donor Challenge, which will unlock  $500 for the RowanSOM COVID-19 Response Fund when 100 donors give to any area of Rowan University’s School of Osteopathic Medicine.

Under the Social Media Challenge, when 250 individuals re-share the Rowan University Alumni Association’s RowanGIVES Day-themed posts, $200 will unlock to support the Rowan University Food Pantry, The SHOP.

And through the Alumni Update Challenge, when 100 alumni update their contact information or submit a Class Note online, $150 will unlock to support an area as chosen by the Class of 2020.

“If people simply share a post on social media, for example, that will unlock money to support an important cause,” Marshall said.

Rowan Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Rowan University Foundation R.J. Tallarida Jr. said though the University works with a wide range of donors throughout the year who believe in the institution’s mission, the annual RowanGIVES event is extremely important because it’s so personal.

“Gifts of all sizes make a big difference and let us know what our supporters care about most,” said Tallarida. “Each year I am impressed by the commitment of the Rowan community and the impact and opportunities that their collective generosity provides.”