Rowan’s newly rebranded Day of Giving more than doubles largest amount raised in event’s eighth year

A sweeping 24-hour giving event last month raised over $270,000 for Rowan University students. Formerly RowanGIVES Day, this year’s eighth annual event was rebranded as Rowan University Day of Giving – with a new look, new challenges and a new record set.

The 2021 event generated a then-record-breaking $133,000 and, in 2022, the Rowan community rallied behind this effort as never before. Members of the Rowan University Foundation Board and other supporters contributed more than $100,000 in generous matches and challenge funds, setting the tone for the day’s success.

“My colleagues and I view every gift from every donor as an individual act of kindness worth celebrating,” remarked Jesse Shafer, vice president, University Advancement and executive director of the Rowan University Foundation.

“That said, we can’t thank the members of our Foundation Board – who, collectively, made a challenge grant of more than $44,000 – enough for leading the way and inspiring so many in the Rowan community to join arms in support of our students.” 

The purpose of Rowan’s Day of Giving, held March 9, has always been to enrich the University’s culture of philanthropy. This year, as always, alumni, students, faculty, staff, parents and friends were encouraged to support the areas that mean the most to them. The result was that nearly every department and program throughout the University received support on Rowan’s Day of Giving, as did a host of scholarship funds.

“The extraordinary support from our donors on our Day of Giving is a testament to the genuine pride our students, alumni and employees have in Rowan University,” said Rowan President Ali A. Houshmand. “Every gift is an investment in the success of our University and our students.”

Director of Annual Giving Kaylee Collins emphasized the event’s tagline “Make a gift. Make a difference.” Every gift, no matter the size, can make a difference in students’ lives, she said.

“It’s important for the Rowan community to know that even a $5 gift makes an impact, especially when it’s combined with hundreds of other gifts. My main goal is to educate alumni, students, and other campus partners about the power of giving and how we can build a culture of philanthropy together,” Collins noted.

This year, 24 challenges were met throughout the day, including a student donor challenge, athletics challenge, medical school challenges, and a special Honors College challenge in memory of Associate Dean Dr. Kristen diNovi that raised over $6,000 in support of a commemorative bench and Honors curricula.

Reason to celebrate

Two years after the last in-person Day of Giving gathering, students excitedly returned to the Chamberlain Student Center Pit last month for a celebratory philanthropy fair broadcast by Rowan Radio 89.7 WGLS-FM. Groups in the Pit included The SHOP Pantry & Resource Center, Student Government Association, Rowan Unified Sports, Autism PATH Program, Rowan women’s ice hockey, the wrestling club, Rowan Paintball, Circle K, the Rowan University Dance Team, Student University Programmers, and the Rowan Fencing Club.

As part of the day’s challenges, programs that raised the most dollars or had the most donors were awarded additional funds. Winners included Women’s Club Ice Hockey, The Rowan Fund, the Honors College, the Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering, the William G. Rohrer College of Business, RowanSOM’s DiPasquale Scholarship, the RowanSOM Annual Fund, the College of Education, the Ric Edelman College of Communication & Creative Arts, the fencing club, Rowan Radio and Unified Sports.

Another new aspect this year was the addition of Day of Giving ambassadors. Alumni, faculty and staff were incentivized to rally their networks and individual communities together to help promote the day across social media. Hundreds of #RowanPROUD community members gave gifts through an ambassador’s personalized link and/or helped unlock more than $1,000 in social media challenge funds.

Recognizable campus partners, including Houshmand and Provost Anthony Lowman, also came together for a fun promotional video highlighting the community’s excitement surrounding this cherished Rowan tradition.

Plans for another successful #RowanPROUD campaign are already in the works for next year.