Colgate Athletics Reaches All-Time High of $3.06M Raised; Includes Record Number of Donors
The books have closed on another record-breaking fundraising year for Colgate Athletics, with all-time highs set in a number of areas.
Colgate Athletics fundraising reached a record high of $3.06 million collectively raised by the department’s 18 varsity sports support groups, Colgate Athletic Council and recreation and club sports support groups.
Colgate’s $3.06 million was raised from 4,748 donors, also a new high. This record-breaking year represents a 30 percent increase in dollars raised and a 7 percent increase in donors over the previous fiscal year.
In addition to the annual team appeals, the numbers were bolstered by the very successful March Mania Challenge (Link: http://gocolgateraiders.com/
More than 2,000 March Mania Donors
Not surprisingly the number quickly was eclipsed, with 2,012 alumni, student-athletes and parents eventually taking part with a donation of $13 or more. The final number of donors was above 400 more than took part in the 2016 March Mania challenge.
“As a Colgate alumna, I could not be more proud of the generosity and support of our alumni, family and friends,” said Colgate Vice President and Director of Athletics Victoria M. Chun ’91, MA’94. “These funds are critical each year and will be invested into our programs to further enhance the student-athlete experience at Colgate, and to better position our teams for success in all areas.
“I am simply blown away by the passion and devotion of Colgate supporters, and want to thank all who contributed to Colgate Athletics this fiscal year.”
Adding to this strong annual support, the Colgate Athletics Department received tremendous backing from its donor base for capital projects. In October, Colgate opened the donor-funded $37.8 million Class of 1965 Arena on time and on budget. In the months since, the department has added a basketball and volleyball practice court in Starr Rink, new bleachers in Lineberry Natatorium and new turf at Andy Kerr Stadium. This summer, work is progressing on projects to renovate the football locker room and convert the old bowling alley into the Academic Services Center, both of which are set to be ready for the start of the academic year.
Colgate relies heavily on the annual investment of Raider Athletics supporters to ensure that student-athletes continue to receive an opportunity to obtain a degree from one of the most prestigious universities in the country, while competing at the highest level of NCAA Division I intercollegiate athletics. Philanthropic support provides vital resources for coaching, enhanced recruitment, equipment upgrades, facilities improvement, additional team training and travel, among many other things.
Consider investing in Colgate Athletics today by visiting www.colgate.edu/