The RVCC Foundation surpassed $2 million in fundraising for the first time, thanks to a record-setting year.
As the fundraising arm of Raritan Valley Community College, the RVCC Foundation raised $2,014,187 in 2024-2025, which is more than $971,431 higher than the previous year’s total.
“We’re extremely appreciative of the support we’ve received from individual donors, corporations, and other organizations, who recognize the value that RVCC brings to our students and the greater community,” said RVCC President Dr. Michael J. McDonough.
“These significant contributions enhance the College’s ability to provide an outstanding educational experience for our students, which couldn’t be more critical given all of the challenges facing higher education today,” added President McDonough.
Among the highlights of the past year was a record-setting Giving Day in March. Riding a “be all in” theme, the 24-hour initiative raised $203,655 for scholarships, student clubs, and athletic teams, as well as a range of centers, institutes, and critical programs at RVCC.
With the return of a $50,000 “match challenge,” and further amplified by the largest single Giving Day gift in the College’s history, the 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 attributed to Jim and Jill Gibson of Basking Ridge and The Caruso Family Foundation, whose $50,000 in combined gifts fueled the 2025 Giving Day match challenge for the second year in a row.
The result was a 32% increase in funds raised over Giving Day 2024, and a 23% increase over the 2023 tally and a previous record of $164,585. This total was also aided by the largest single Giving Day gift ever: a $50,000 contribution from Lori Grossi of Clinton.
The 2024-25 fundraising tally was also aided by the generosity of Frank and Pat Russo, whose longstanding scholarship at RVCC is among the among the most generous. The Russos’ $375,000 gift — the largest scholarship commitment in the College’s history — provides five full scholarships for RVCC students in each of the next 10 years.
There was also a $500,000 donation from Johnson & Johnson in support of the newly launched NJBioFutures, a groundbreaking workforce development coalition aimed at creating a sustainable, skilled talent pipeline to support New Jersey’s rapidly expanding cell and gene therapeutics sector.
The year also brought a first-time gift from the Jessamine S. (J.S.) Henderson Foundation, whose board chose the RVCC Foundation to assume full management and stewardship of the J.S. Henderson Memorial Adult Scholarship — exclusively available to students at Raritan Valley Community College. The board’s $129,228 donation established both the J.S. Henderson Memorial Adult Scholarship at RVCC and an endowed fund to ensure the legacy of J.S. Henderson continues in perpetuity.
Finally, there was the RVCC Foundation Golf Classic in June. The 21st annual event, held at the Neshanic Valley Golf Course, raised $153,185 and was another sellout, with 147 participants, including golfers representing a wide range of local and regional businesses from throughout Hunterdon and Somerset counties and beyond. Net proceeds raised from the golf outing and auctions support student scholarships, RVCC’s education programming, and other institutional priorities.
“Our record fundraising success this year is a direct testament to the generosity of our expanding donor community, and their willingness to step up,” said Mike Marion, Executive Director, RVCC Foundation and RVCC Alumni Association. “Last year, we had 306 new donors add to the incredible support of our longstanding benefactors. It is so encouraging that more and more people are recognizing the value and importance of this exceptional institution.”
