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Colgate University Makes History with Single Day of Giving

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Campus in winter
By Rebecca Taurisano December 16, 2024

On Friday, December 13, a total of 3,691 alumni, parents, students, and friends of Colgate University came together to participate in a single day of giving — the Colgate Day Challenge — donating nearly $3.5 million within a 24-hour period, the most successful day of giving to the Colgate Fund in University history. 

The collective generosity of donors who gave nearly $2 million unlocked an additional $1.5 million gift from a group of challengers that is designated to support the Colgate Commitment, the University’s financial aid initiative devoted to access and affordability.

“I want to extend my gratitude to our donors who made the Colgate Day Challenge a success,” says President Brian W. Casey. “Your support not only furthers Colgate’s Campaign for the Third Century, but will also make a lasting impact on how our students learn, live, and access Colgate now and in the future. We are focused on those initiatives that ensure Colgate is the finest liberal arts institution in the nation. The support from our community is a very strong vote of confidence in this mission.”

Colgate University President Brian W. Casey and Vice President for University Communications Dan DeVries discuss the progress the University has made since launching Colgate’s Third-Century Plan and President Casey's vision for the top three current priorities: the Colgate Commitment (financial aid), the academic experience, and the student residential experience.

“The loyalty and enthusiasm of the Colgate community is truly inspiring,” says Karl Clauss ʼ90, vice president for advancement. “I also believe that this remarkable demonstration of generosity is only the beginning. In order to significantly invest in our financial aid initiative, we will continue to look to the generosity of our alumni, parents, students, and friends to lend their financial support to this cause.” 

This record-breaking philanthropic achievement was made possible with the coordinated effort of both staff and volunteers, beginning well before Dec. 13. Notably, more than 400 alumni who participated in the challenge were new donors, meaning they had not given in the prior fiscal year. “When we set a goal, we do so knowing that our incredible alumni volunteers make it all possible,” says Associate Vice President for Alumni and Parent Giving Jen Stone. “Their belief in our vision ensured that the goal to secure 3,113 donors would not only be met, but surpassed.”

Professor and students in classroom
Ryan Hall, Associate Professor of Native American Studies and History leads students in a roundtable discussion

At the heart of the effort are the students who will benefit from this investment in their future. “The Student Philanthropy Committee feels strongly about educating our fellow students and the importance of raising funds for financial aid because we all benefit from this in one way or another," says Jai Ohri ’26, chair of the Student Philanthropy Committee. “For students to be able to apply for internships, participate in international study groups, and choose fields of study without worrying about how to afford these opportunities or pay back loans is life-changing.”

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