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Fairmont State University alumni and friends contributed more than $300,000 in a 24-hour period on the second Falcon Day of Giving on Thursday, October 29, exceeding the fundraising goal by more than $50,000.
“Our loyal alumni and friends have not let COVID-19 or anything else stand in the way of supporting Fairmont State University,” said Julie R. Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation, which organized and carried out the campaign on behalf of Fairmont State University. More than 600 donors, up from 387 last year, provided funds for everything from athletic scholarships to support for student programs and university projects. Athletics raised more than $140,000, with the men’s and women’s basketball teams leading the effort at nearly $29,000 and $24,000, respectively. Donors gave more than $89,000 to support scholarships, both academic ($44,000) and athletic ($18,000), while schools and colleges earned nearly $35,000 to support discretionary funds that can be utilized for scholarships, faculty support or projects. “Whether they work here, are friends of the University, or are Falcon alumni themselves, these donors know and have seen firsthand the transformative impact a Fairmont State education can have,” Mirta M. Martin, president of Fairmont State University, said. “Their gifts represent their belief in our efforts. Even in the midst of a historic, global pandemic, our community pulled together and proved, once again, that there is simply no stronger community than the Falcon Family.” Matches and challenges secured earlier in the year and made by alumni and friends helped to spur giving. A number of donors who contributed last year generously increased their giving this year in response to the pandemic and the University’s needs. Matches and challenges increased from 2019’s Falcon Day of Giving by nearly $50,000. “None of this would have been possible without the support of our alumni and friends or the dogged determination of our coaches, deans, faculty, staff and students,” Cryser said. “We can’t thank the donors enough and we can’t thank those who helped us spread the word and encourage participation enough, either.” The Day of Giving provides funding for students and the University, but it also serves to raise awareness about Fairmont State University and funding opportunities. People from as far away as Louisiana and California were sharing social media posts about the Day of Giving and encouraging friends, family and peers to give. “It was exciting to see the Falcon Family coming together to support Fairmont State University, its students, faculty and staff, especially after such a difficult year for so many people” Cryser said. With a goal of raising $250,000 in one day, alumni and friends will once again have the chance to double their contribution to Fairmont State University on the second Falcon Day of Giving to be held October 29.
Fairmont State Foundation is encouraging those who want to take advantage of this opportunity to create a donation strategy, from deciding what programs they would like to support to encouraging friends, family and fellow alumni to participate. “On just one day last year, we were able to raise nearly $200,000 from more than 160 loyal donors who wanted to make a difference at Fairmont State University,” said Julie Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation. “The most successful fund raising came from departments, schools and athletic teams that developed strong strategies to make the most of the day.” Last year, the Fairmont State baseball team took full advantage of the program and was able to raise more than $10,000 to support the Friends of Baseball account, which funds team travel and other expenses. Baseball players rallied alumni, friends and parents to log in at 12:01 a.m. on the Day of Giving. “We raised as much money for the Friends of Baseball account in one day as we do with several of our events,” said Baseball Coach Phil Caruso. The matches and challenges and work put into gathering support ahead of the day paid off for many academic units, programs and projects. Kestrel: A Journal of Literature & Art, a juried literary publication, is produced twice a year at Fairmont State University. Kestrel publishes fiction, poetry, poetry in translation, creative non-fiction, book reviews, and visual art by established and emerging writers and artists, and is especially pleased to publish work by West Virginian and Appalachian writers and artists. Last year, with the assistance of the Fairmont State Foundation, a graduate student sent a letter to those who had supported the publication in the past. Professors and supporters encouraged donors to give and raised more than $3,000 for the publication. They took advantage of matches and challenges to increase support. The money raised represents about a year's budget for the production of the publication. “Kestrel's commitment to publishing high quality work from around the world and bringing contributors to Fairmont State's campus for biannual celebrations and provides students with opportunities to network with working writers and artists,” said Donna Long, who is a Fairmont State University professor and editor-in-chief of the publication. Fairmont State faculty, alumni and friends can also sign up to be social media ambassadors for the day. A complete toolkit and suggested posts will be provided to volunteers who want to share and encourage others to give. Jessica Sharps served as a social media ambassador last year, sending social media posts leading up the event and on that day to encourage people to give. She reached hundreds of friends and alumni to encourage them to log in and take advantage of the matches and challenges. “I’ve been a member of the Falcon Family for nearly 15 years and know that the Falcon spirit runs deep within our region, as well as throughout the state, and even the world,” said Sharps. “I encourage anyone who loves to use the power of social media to share information and encourage others to participate in this year’s Day of Giving as an ambassador.” During the inaugural Fairmont State University Day of Giving more than 370 donors helped to raise nearly $200,000 setting a record for the most gifts the University has ever received in one day.
“We’re so proud of the Fairmont State University community of alumni and friends who came together to show the power of philanthropy,” Julie R. Cryser, president of the Fairmont State Foundation, said. The Foundation raises money on Fairmont State University’s behalf. “Our goal was to bring awareness to the opportunities that exist to make real change in the lives of our Fairmont State University students, and we met and exceeded that goal,” she said. Fairmont State University Athletics had the highest number of donors and received a little more than $80,000 to support scholarships and athletic teams. More than $22,000 was raised to support athletic scholarships alone. “I would like to thank Julie Cryser and all Day of Giving ambassadors for their hard work during this year’s inaugural Day of Giving,” Chad Fowler, Director of Athletic, said. “Financial support is critical to our teams and student athletes and we are pleased with the overwhelming support we received during Day of Giving.” On the academic side, the School of Business & Aviation raised nearly $30,000 to support students and faculty within the school. The College of Liberals Arts came in second on the academic side, raising nearly $18,000. The Fairmont State Foundation raised more than $17,000 for overall academic scholarship support, which has been a focus for President Mirta M. Martin. “When I talk about the impact of the Falcon Family, I mean it!” Dr. Martin said. “By raising nearly $200,000 in a single day, our friends, families, and alumni, here and around the world, are making it possible for Fairmont State to uphold its promise to provide an exceptional, affordable education and a one-of-a-kind college experience to our students.” A variety of individuals and local businesses helped with rallying support during the event by creating matches and challenges, creating a sense of competition between the various academic and athletic units. “We can’t thank those who helped us along the way with matches and challenges enough,” said Cryser. “Without their support, we would never have been successful.” The Day of Giving the final numbers are still being calculated. Donors who may have missed giving and wish to still give can go to fsufoundation.org. Thanks to donors, the Fairmont State Foundation can give more than $1 million annually in scholarships to Fairmont State University students and support a variety of academic and athletic initiatives. Fairmont State University and the Fairmont State Foundation have teamed up for the inaugural Falcon Day of Giving November 7 – one day to raise $250,000 to support scholarships, academic units, and athletics.
Donors from throughout the region have provided more than $100,000 in matches and challenges to encourage people to give online or through the lunch-time drive-through at the Fairmont State Foundation. The giving day will kick off at midnight on Nov. 7 and end at 11:59 p.m. All gifts that are made in that time period will be counted toward the Falcon Day of Giving goal of $250,000. To heat up the competition, matches and challenges will encourage givers to log on to falconsgive.fsufoundation.org. They will also provide academic and athletic programs a chance to double or triple their giving on that day. “By logging on to the website now, you can create a strategy for ensuring that your favorite program or sport gets as many matches and challenges as possible to increase the amount of money they will receive on November 7,” Fairmont State Foundation President Julie R. Cryser said. “But you won’t be able to capture these opportunities without logging on that day and giving or stopping by our lunch-time drive-through.” Global matches are available for both academics and athletics, as well as a lunch-time challenge that will offer $1,000 to the academic unit with the most donations between the hours of 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Matches and challenges include:
For those who would like a quick lunch and to swipe their credit card to donate, donors can drive through in the front of the 1300 Locust Ave. Fairmont State Alumni Center building between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. Those who choose to give at the alumni center will receive a Country Club Bakery pepperoni roll, donated by the local bakery, and a bag of chips. Participants can also get a picture with Freddie the Falcon, who will be on hand. “We want to make this a fun, memorable day with a purpose -- One Day, One Goal, One Falcon Family – to raise $250,000 in one day and show the region that we are Falcon Strong,” Cryser said. “We would encourage you to make a donation and help us unlock all of our matches and challenges.” Donors can go to falconsgive.fsufoundation.org to make their donation. You can also help spread the word on social media platforms by becoming a social media ambassador. To sign up as a social media ambassador visit www.fsufoundation.org/news/2019/ambassador. |
