Rider University’s “Transforming Students — Transforming Lives” fundraising campaign has pushed beyond its original $80 million goal. On Wednesday, the Lawrenceville-based institution said that, as of June 30, it raised more than $8 million in new gifts and pledges for the 2023 fiscal year. And it continues to raise additional support for key initiatives.
Rider also set a record for the highest number of cash contributions received in a single year for its endowment — a total of $4.4 million.
So far, more than 15,000 donors have contributed to the campaign, with the university receiving 18 gifts of $1 million or more. The campaign’s remaining priorities include generating further support for endowed scholarships, the Annual Fund and campus facilities.
“Our alumni, faculty, staff and friends, along with our corporate and foundation partners, continue to demonstrate their commitment to Rider and create opportunities for our students,” Rider President Gregory G. Dell’Omo said. “We are thankful to everyone who gave so generously this past year. We invite those who have not yet made their gifts to do so and join us in continuing to transform students’ lives.”
In addition to exceeding the overall goal set for the campaign, the university is experiencing an uptick in new student and transfer enrollment. Undergraduate applications are also up over the past two years.
Six new scholarships were endowed this fiscal year, bringing the total number of new endowed scholarships as a result of the campaign to 43.
In addition to high-level support for students through scholarships, other fundraising initiatives were also successful, including:
- More than $386,000 was raised from 1,448 donors in support of Rider Athletics’ Raise Your Game challenge; and
- More than $1.56 million was raised for the Annual Fund, a top fundraising priority that ensures resources are available to meet the greatest needs of the institution.
