Adelphi University celebrated a momentous achievement during its seventh annual Giving Day on April 17 and 18, 2024, as the community rallied together to raise $684,564 from 2,011 donors—both are Giving Day records.
The funds raised on Giving Day will support more than 21 causes and programs, including academic scholarships, cutting-edge research projects, athletics and support for the Adelphi Fund.
Thanks to the overwhelming support from our donors on Giving Day, Adelphi University continues to advance the transformative goals outlined in our Momentum 2 strategic plan. Each contribution fuels our innovative programs and research while enhancing our commitment to a personalized, student-focused education. We are incredibly appreciative of the record number of donors and the remarkable amount of giving this year.
Festivities on the Garden City campus, including photo opportunities and a pie-in-the-face challenge, unfolded throughout the 1,896-minute timeline—a nod to Adelphi’s founding year of 1896. The heart of the action was the Giving Day command center in the Ruth S. Harley University Center, where the Student Philanthropy Center temporarily relocated on April 17. Student fundraisers were joined by staff, faculty and Board of Trustees Chairman Marc S. Strachan ’81 and trustees William Fuessler ’79 and Curtis O. Minnis ’77.
Generous matching gifts and challenges, provided by campus leaders, trustees, parents and alumni, doubled the impact of many donations. Through 25 gifts from matching donations and challenges, $128,750 was added to the Giving Day total.
Notable among these contributions was that of trustee Greg Carey P’23, and his wife, Katy P’23, who generously donated $25,000 in honor of Bridges to Adelphi’s 10th anniversary. Their gift, which establishes a new endowment for Bridges students, will be doubled through the Momentum 2 Endowment Matching initiative.
Athletics raised $166,262, the largest amount among the 21 individual campaigns. The top three athletics programs were men’s basketball ($48,005), buoyed by a $30,000 anonymous matching gift; baseball ($27,375); and men’s soccer ($22,328), which also benefited from a $10,000 matching gift.
The Robert B. Willumstad School of Business also achieved remarkable success, raising a record $78,731 from 96 donors. Noteworthy contributions included a $10,000 matching gift from trustee Kevin G. Mahony ’83 and a $9,000 matching gift from the estate of Michael Raphael ’58 to endow the Accounting and Law Excellence Fund.
“Our community always unites on Giving Day, but achieving record-breaking numbers in both donors and funds raised speaks volumes about the remarkable solidarity within our Adelphi community,” said Thomas A. Kline, EdD, vice president of University advancement and external relations. “We extend our sincerest gratitude to everyone who participated in Giving Day—donors, ambassadors, challenge creators, volunteers and every member of our Panther community. Your collective efforts have made an indelible impact, reflecting the strength and generosity of our community.”