SPC is a student-run organization at both the Lincoln Center and Rose Hill campuses. It offers opportunities throughout the year for students to give back to the larger Fordham community through their time, energy, and donations.

“[It’s] a group of dedicated students working to create awareness and educate their peers about the importance of giving back to Fordham and its community,” said Kathryn Mandalakis, FCRH ’19, former senior class gift chair and current Fordham Fund Officer. “Our mission is more than just fundraising—it’s more about creating buzz and passion about giving back.”

The committee kicked off giving season on Sept. 24 with its annual Thank-A-Thon, a four-day tabling effort that encourages students to write thank-you notes to Fordham Fund donors. 

“One of the tenets we stress in our meetings is that it’s important to say thanks!” said Mandalakis. “It’s also just a great way for students to interact with our staff members and the Fordham community at large. We always ask students to write a thank-you note so they can more passionately support the cause.”

With the guidance of Fordham’s Office of Stewardship/Donor Relations, these Thank-A-Thon notes are sent to donors who support student scholarships, clubs and organizations, campus renovations, and other initiatives. 

The Student Philanthropy Committee not only provides opportunities to thank existing donors but also offers students the chance to become a part of the larger community of donors themselves by making gifts to the causes that have been most important to their student experience. 

“Being a part of the Student Philanthropy Committee allows me to talk to my peers about how impactful gifts of any size can be, and how impactful your time, energy, and focus can be in improving other people’s lives,” said John Morin, FCRH ’20, the Fordham College at Rose Hill senior class gift chair. 

A few of the opportunities available for students to learn more about giving back and the benefits of becoming a part of the donor community are the Senior Class Gift Kick-Off taking place in November, followed by Giving Tuesday on Dec. 3, and Fordham Giving Day from March 3 to 4. 

“Supporting the senior class gift is a great way to give back to Fordham before becoming an alum. It acts as a vote of confidence in a senior’s four years at Fordham and allows him or her to support the areas that have been most important throughout,” Mandalakis explained. “[It] also introduces students to the world of giving at Fordham in an approachable way while they’re still together with their classmates.”

Current seniors are encouraged to give $20.20 to represent their graduating year. However, seniors who give $50 or more over the course of the year are able to receive the benefits of Young Alumni President’s Club (YAPC), a giving society reserved for current seniors and alumni within 10 years of graduation. (YAPC alumni who have graduated within 1 to 5 years make annual gifts of $250, and for those who have graduated within 6 to 10 years, gifts of $500.)

Much like the President’s Club alumni, who have graduated within 11 or more years and have donated annual gifts of $1,000 or more, YAPC members are invited to exclusive donor receptions and celebrations hosted by Joseph M. McShane, S.J., president of Fordham. This year’s YAPC members can look forward to an invitation to the President’s Club Christmas Party, where they will be able to meet longtime President’s Club members. They will also be offered the opportunity to attend a YAPC reception in April and a cocktail reception during Jubilee weekend in June, and they’ll receive recognition in the University’s annual honor roll of donors. 

“I love Fordham and what Fordham stands for, and I wanted to give back to this great institution,” said committee member Kaitlyn McDermott, FCRH ’21. “Joining SPC allowed me to find an outlet for philanthropic duties while learning valuable skills about being a woman for other people.”

–Chloe Meyer

“Philanthropy is all about inspiring people to give to causes that they’re excited about,” said Dan Nasta, FCLC ’19, Fordham College at Lincoln Center’s senior class gift chair. “I’m interested in getting people to think about what parts of Fordham they are inspired by, and to give back specifically to those.”

Over the next two weeks, members of the Fordham Fund and the Student Philanthropy Committee will be on campus highlighting careers in philanthropy, demonstrating the importance of charitable giving, and explaining how fundraising works. Perhaps most importantly, they will show how philanthropy—and Fordham’s philanthropists, in particular—have changed Fordham for the better. Case in point: the funding of scholarships for those who otherwise wouldn’t be able to afford a college education.

“We’re not gonna flag you down for money, despite what it sounds like we’re doing,” said Kathryn Mandalakis, FCRH ’19, the senior class gift chair at Rose Hill. “We really just want to build community overall.”

Philanthropy Week launches on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Lincoln Center with a Thank-a-Thon—an event where students sign personal thank-you cards that will be mailed to Fordham Fund donors. But the bulk of Philanthropy Week takes place from Oct. 22 to the 25. It begins with “Spooky Seniors,” an event where seniors can come and learn about why to give back to Fordham. Event-goers can expect to see Halloween-themed refreshments like apple cider and donuts, a pumpkin painting contest, and a raffle for prizes. Other events scheduled for that week include an open house for Ram Line—Fordham’s on-campus phonathon—and senior class gift tabling.

Last year, Fordham Fund hosted the University’s first Philanthropy Week. Thirteen seniors contributed to the senior class gift, and more than 700 thank-you cards were filled out.

“Just come and say hi, have fun, write a thank-you note, because of course we’ve all benefited from someone’s philanthropy somewhere in the University,” said Mandalakis.

“Philanthropy means giving future Fordham Rams the opportunity to experience everything that I’ve been able to experience—understanding that we have all these opportunities given to us, and just really wanting to continue those for the people who will come after.”

Philanthropy Week Schedule:

Tuesday, Oct. 16: Thank-a-Thon | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | Lowenstein Plaza, Lincoln Center Campus

Thursday, Oct. 18: Thank-a-Thon | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | McGinley Lobby, Rose Hill Campus

Monday, Oct. 22: Senior Class Gift Kickoff Event – “Spooky Seniors”

• Rose Hill Kickoff: 5 – 7 p.m. | McGinley Student Lounge | McGinley Center
• Lincoln Center Kickoff: 5 – 7 p.m. | Multipurpose Room G76A | 140 West 60th Street

Monday, Oct. 22: Thank-a-Thon | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | McKeon East Entrance, Lincoln Center Campus

Tuesday, October 23: Senior Class Gift Table

• Rose Hill Campus: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | McGinley Lobby
• Lincoln Center Campus: 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. | Lowenstein Plaza Level

Wednesday, October 24: Thank-a-Thon | 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. | McGinley Lobby, Rose Hill Campus

Thursday, October 25: Senior Class Gift Table

• Lincoln Center Campus: 11:30 a.m. – 1 p.m. | Lowenstein Plaza Level
• Rose Hill Campus: 2:30 p.m. – 4 p.m. | McGinley Lobby

Thursday, October 25: Ram Line Open House | 6 – 7 p.m. | O’Hare Hall, Room 1841, Rose Hill Campus

It’s a surprisingly easy request, as most of the students quickly pick up a pen and start writing.

Hannah Murphy, a Fordham College at Lincoln Center sophomore and native Californian, said that her scholarship allowed her to live on the East Coast.

“The scholarships make it possible for students from all over the country to attend, not just the ones from the New York area,” she said.

Sophomore Aizi Arif said he was about to enlist in the military when his scholarship came through.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for that,” he said.

His fellow classmate Aohaib Kahn had a similar experience. He already made a deposit at a New York City public college when his scholarship arrived.

“Looking at my financial aid package compared to other private universities, it’s pretty high,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity.”

Nearby, Nicole Drepole, also a sophomore, was just finishing up a thank you note. When asked about her scholarship, she said she didn’t get one. She said she went to Catholic schools all her life and Fordham was at the top of her list because the University shares her values. She was writing a note because the scholarships reflect that.

“I remember a couple of weeks, or even months before I got accepted, my family would sit and pray with me so I could just get in, it was honestly just a dream to go to this school. I had been going to Catholic schools my whole life and it creates this kind of family. I wanted to go to a school that cares for their students like this.”