SJNY’s Sixth Annual Giving Day Raises Over $100K

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.

“Giving Day connects all of our alumni in a united cause, whether they give $20 or $1,000,” said Rory Shaffer-Walsh, vice president for institutional advancement. “Thank you so very much for supporting Giving Day, our projects and the people behind the projects.”

The University hosted special Giving Day luncheons on both physical campuses 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.”

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 over $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 over $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 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.