Newsroom

There was a great deal to celebrate about Raritan Valley Community College’s 10th Annual Giving Day on March 26. The RVCC Foundation’s 24-hour fundraising effort surpassed its $200,000 goal by raising $228,863, making it the most successful Giving Day in the event’s history.

And, in doing so, RVCC Giving Day has now exceeded $1 million in donations in its 10-year cumulative history at the College.

“Our Giving Day results are a resounding endorsement of Raritan Valley Community College—and the impact of our students, alumni, faculty, and staff," said RVCC President Michael McDonough. "And we are grateful to have such generous support from the communities we serve.”

Demonstrating the overall support for the effort, this year saw a greater participation from the entire community, with 848 gifts for RVCC, a more than 28% increase over last year.

This year’s fundraising total represents a more than 12% increase in funds raised over last year’s event, which raised $203,152. And many of those gifts were extremely generous, with 40 gifts of $1,000 or higher, which represents a 90% increase over last year.

“There’s no doubt that this year’s record-breaking Giving Day support was fueled by the epic generosity of our ‘match challenge’ benefactors—Jim and Jill Gibson, Don and Penny Pray, and our anonymous donor,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director, RVCC Foundation and RVCC Alumni Association. “Their collective gifts of $75,000 in matching funds helped transform RVCC Giving Day 2026.”

Students were a big part of the day’s success, with 111 gifts from RVCC students, a greater than 19% increase over last year. A total of 39 student clubs and athletic teams participated in this year’s fundraising efforts, which netted $51,782—an increase of more than 56% over last year. In addition, this year’s Giving Day saw notable gains in RVCC alumni participation and in funds raised—with 63 alumni making gifts, an increase of more than 31% over last year.

“Giving Day is about more than raising funds.  It’s also about collaboration and community.  And both were evident during our RVCC Giving Day 2026,” said Marion. “Witnessing the dramatic growth in participation by students, alumni, and the community at large was especially inspiring.”

RVCC Giving Day 2026 donors were invited to select from an assortment of College programs, student clubs, RVCC Athletic teams, and other initiatives, including the Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, The Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement, the Honors College, and Workforce Training Center, and several scholarship offerings. Donors also had the opportunity to “write in” additional giving preferences.

This year’s winners of the “Patrick J. Fittipaldi Impact Award”—which celebrates student success in support of RVCC Giving Day—were (student clubs) the Student Occupational Therapy Assistant Association (SOTAA), the Business Club, and Sisters in STEM and (athletic teams) Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball, and Baseball for the most funds raised. The winners for the most $50+ donations were (student clubs) Sisters in STEM, SOTAA, and the Business Club and (athletic teams) Women’s Basketball, Men’s Basketball, and Baseball.

The RVCC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Raritan Valley Community College. It provides the resources that enable the College to enhance its programs beyond public and tuition sources and to maintain its standing as a premier academic institution and one of the most important sources of culture and continuing education in Somerset and Hunterdon counties.  

For those seeking additional information about ways to support the College and the work of the RVCC Foundation, contact Mike Marion at 908-648-8567 or michael.marion@raritanval.edu, or visit https://rvccfoundation.org.

RVCC is located at 118 Lamington Road in Branchburg, NJ. For further information, visit www.raritanval.edu.

###
    

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 6, 2026

Media contact: Donna Stolzer, 908-526-1200, ext. 8383

PR #93