Rowan University’s 12th annual Day of Giving has reached a historic milestone, with the cumulative impact of the annual event officially surpassing $2.5 million.
The 2026 campaign, held on Feb. 25, mobilized 3,068 individual donors—including alumni, faculty, and students—to raise $439,967. The results underscore a period of rapid philanthropic growth for the institution; since adopting digital leaderboards and donor-matching challenges five years ago, the university has more than tripled its annual online fundraising revenue.
A cornerstone of the event’s success is the use of “gamified” giving. By utilizing matches and challenges, the university incentivizes campus departments and student organizations to compete for bonus funds.
“We try to add new opportunities for our participating campus units to earn much-needed funds,” Kaylee Collins, director of Annual Giving said. “We like to keep an element of surprise so that our campus partners can strategize but can’t over-plan.”
One such innovation this year was the Philanthropy Scavenger Hunt, where donor-sponsored plush owls—each representing $250 in bonus dollars—were hidden across multiple campuses. The Rowan softball team proved particularly adept at the challenge, recovering seven owls to secure $1,750 for their program.
The University’s Athletics division has seen a significant surge in support, doubling its fundraising totals over the last two fiscal years. Shawn Tucker, director of Athletics, described the response from the alumni and friend network as “tremendous,” resulting in a record-breaking single day for the department.
Beyond sports, the funds are earmarked for:
- Academic Excellence: Supporting specific colleges and departments.
- Student Success: Offsetting costs for equipment, technology, and professional development.
- Infrastructure: Strengthening campus programs and student organizations.
The Day of Giving serves as a critical engine for the broader FORGING FORWARD: The Campaign for Rowan University. This comprehensive initiative has already secured more than $240 million to support regional impact, innovation, and the student experience.
While the 24-hour event has concluded, university officials noted that the momentum continues to fuel the campaign’s long-term goals of enhancing research and academic distinction.
