Newsroom

Riding a “be all in” theme, March 27 was an extraordinary day for Raritan Valley Community College, as its 24-hour Giving Day initiative raised a record $203,655 for scholarships, student clubs and athletic teams, as well as a range of centers, institutes, and critical programs at RVCC. Energized by the return of a $50,000 “match challenge,” and further amplified by the largest single Giving Day gift in the College’s history, this annual “give-a-thon” has become the top fundraising event of the year for the RVCC Foundation.

A huge portion of the day’s success was attributable to the return of two generous benefactors—Jim and Jill Gibson of Basking Ridge and The Caruso Family Foundation—whose $50,000 in combined gifts fueled this year’s match challenge. “Offering the challenge was an easy decision for us,” said Jim Gibson. “We know how important the match is and we’re huge believers in RVCC and its impact.”

This year’s fundraising total represents a 32% increase in funds raised over last year’s Giving Day, and a 23% increase over the 2023 tally and the previous record of $164,585. A total of 35 student clubs and athletic teams participated in this year’s fundraising efforts, which netted $33,095—both were new records for the event. As part of the match, those funds raised by students will be doubled. In addition, this year’s Giving Day saw notable gains in RVCC alumni participation and in funds raised—both up by an impressive 30%.

This year’s fundraising total was significantly aided by the largest single Giving Day gift ever—a $50,000 contribution from Lori Grossi of Clinton. “My goal was to eventually endow the RVCC Scholarship for Fundamental Fairness, which I established in 2020 in memory of my husband, Jay,” said Ms. Grossi. “Giving Day presented a perfect opportunity for me to address the essential need for education in our country and honor the College, students, and leadership that I have become so passionate about supporting.”

“This year’s record-breaking results are inspiring and we can’t thank each donor enough—and especially The Caruso Family Foundation, the Gibsons, and Lori Grossi,” said Michael J. McDonough, President, RVCC. “Their generous support of our mission and our students provides an epic example for all.”

“The Caruso Family Foundation was honored to lend our support to RVCC’s Giving Day. The positive impact RVCC has on the lives of its students and our community is immeasurable and instrumental,” said Anthony Caruso Sr.

RVCC Giving Day 2025 also featured several new promotional partners from the area, including Starbucks, Cold Stone Creamery, Il Forno Brick Oven Pizza, Shoprite, Carlucci’s, and the Oldwick General Store. The Stoney Brook Grille, a long-time supporter of the College and its annual Giving Day, hosted the evening’s “Almost After, After Party” for RVCC faculty and staff—including RVCC retirees.

“This is the one day of the year when we ask the collective community to come together in a single, 24-hour period to demonstrate its support of the College,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director, RVCC Foundation and RVCC Alumni Association. “And when that community responds, it is an amazing thing to witness,” added Marion.

“We cannot be more appreciative of Jim and Jill Gibson, The Caruso Family Foundation, and Lori Grossi for their generosity, and for modeling the behavior and values we seek to instill in our students,” Marion said. “That may be their greatest gift.”

RVCC Giving Day 2025 donors were invited to select from a wide range of College programs, student clubs, RVCC Athletic teams, and other initiatives they wished to support, including the Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, The Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at RVCC, the Honors College, and Workforce Training Center, as well as a range of 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 the Men’s Basketball team for the most funds raised ($5,800) and the Women’s Basketball team for the most $50+ donations (16).

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.

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

April 2, 2025

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

PR #81