Held this year on Dec. 1, Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, has become an international day of charitable giving. Since 2015, Fordham has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on this day. This was the second year the total amount raised topped $1 million, after first hitting the mark last year.

The number of individual gifts was higher this year: 1,758 compared to 1,589 last year.

The majority of gifts were directed to the Fordham Fund, which supports Fordham’s greatest needs. Other top areas supported included scholarships, counseling and psychological services, diversity and inclusion initiatives, career services, and athletics. Many of these gifts will support Fordham’s Student Experience campaign.

Elaine Ezrapour, director of the Fordham Fund, noted that the total amount and the number of gifts were especially impressive given the current economic climate.

“Now more than ever, in these uncertain times, having flexible dollars allows Fordham to quickly address evolving needs on campus,” she said.

Senior Bella Eitner, student giving day chair at Rose Hill, said that having so many donors invest in Fordham means a lot because it demonstrates that people “share the same love for Fordham as us students.”

“I’m a student-athlete on the cheerleading team, and we hit our goal twice in one day. To know we are constantly supported, even during these hard times due to COVID-19, confirms my decision to go to Fordham was the best one for me.”

In addition to opening their wallets, donors also shared their gratitude on the Student Philanthropy Committee’s virtual Giving Tree.

“So thankful for Fordham’s student leaders! They volunteer hours of their time to make Fordham a better place. Thanks for leading the way!” one donor wrote.

“Once a RAM always a RAM! Fordham saw me grow up, succeed academically, land a top job right out of college and get married at the Rose Hill Chapel. I am beyond thankful!” wrote another.

And from a grateful student: “I am so thankful for all of the memories of love and joy that I have created with my closest friends these last four years at Fordham!”

“We had a record-breaking Giving Tuesday,” said Elaine Ezrapour, director of the Fordham Fund. “It’s very exciting to see the outpouring of ‘phil-‘Ram’-thropy.’” 

Held this year on Dec. 3, Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, has become an international day of charitable giving. Since 2015, Fordham has raised hundreds of thousands of dollars each year on this day. But 2019 marked the first year that the University raised more than a million. 

Supporting Athletics

The majority of the 1,589 gifts made this year were for Fordham athletics. More than $300,000 in gifts will help support the Frank McLaughlin Family Basketball Court and University sports teams. That includes the Fordham men’s rugby football team, which is raising money to fly to Ireland for the club’s first international tour in more than 50 years. 

“Working with the Fordham Fund, we’ve created a Give Campus page for each of the varsity and club teams,” said Edward Kull, senior director of development and senior associate athletic director, adding that the student-athletes and coaches create videos for their teams letting everyone know what their needs are. “So it’s a real collaborative effort.” Squash, crew, football, water polo, and sailing were among the top raisers, he said.

Scholarships for Urban Plunge

More than $6,000 was raised for scholarships for Urban Plunge, a pre-orientation program where first-year undergraduate students participate in community service activities throughout the Bronx and Manhattan. The program, run by the Center for Community Engaged Learning, requires a $250 fee for each student that pays for their meals, transportation, and supplies. 

A Double Giving Challenge

This year’s Giving Tuesday offered Rams a double challenge. If 350 donors made a gift by 11:59 a.m. EST, then Susan Conley Salice, FCRH ’82, and Thomas P. Salice, GABELLI ’82, would contribute $20,000. After the goal was achieved, the Salices presented the second half of the challenge: If 200 more donors made a gift by 11:59 p.m. EST, the couple would give another $20,000 to Fordham. Thanks to 550 donors, both challenges were met and the Salices donated $40,000. 

Student Support

Students across the University helped spearhead donation efforts, too. In O’Hare Hall, student callers reached out to dozens of alumni, parents, and friends of Fordham. Usually, they work three hours a day, Ezrapour said. But on Giving Tuesday, they worked from roughly 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and secured 150 gifts over the phone. 

Further downtown, the Student Philanthropy Committee at Lincoln Center set up a tabling session in the Lowenstein Center. For the first time, they created a “giving tree” fashioned out of chicken wire and multicolored leaf cut-outs. Committee members asked passing students to write on a leaf the things they are grateful for at Fordham—including causes they want to support in the future. 

“They wrote wonderful notes about the different areas on campus that they feel connected to and care about,” Ezrapour said. “It was a great effort on their part, not only in raising awareness about Giving Tuesday, but also demonstrating to the campus community just how many potential areas there are to support.”