Behind most Rowan success stories lies dedication to giving back to the community, and the biggest example of that every year comes in the form of the Day of Giving, a 24-hour online fundraising event.
This year, on Wednesday, Feb. 25, Rowan held their 12th annual Day of Giving, previously known as RowanGIVES. This year’s event showed school spirit was on full display as a total of $439,967 was raised along with 3,068 gifts to directly benefit clubs, organizations, and academic departments. Students had congregated together, creating a sense of community towards one another, hoping to achieve and raise solid funds.
On every Day of Giving, students, faculty, alumni, and community members alike are welcome to donate to different areas of Rowan, whether it’s the colleges and schools, such as the College of Science and Mathematics, which raised $39,428.79, or sport clubs, such as Women’s Ice Hockey, which raised $12,971.57. To make donations even more crucial, the top nine clubs and organizations in each area that received the most money and gifts would receive bonus funding from trustees.
An in-person celebration was hosted in the expansion of Chamberlain Student Center for the first time, featuring rows of tables covered with brown tablecloths and stacked with Rowan themed-merchandise. Members from different groups, each working as representatives to raise money for their organizations, eagerly engaged with visitors, discussing how donations would support their goals and how their organizations work.
Ariadna Martinez-Lopez, a junior and member of the Rowan Karate & Self Defense Club, emphasized how impactful the Day of Giving is not just towards her club, but as a community on campus.
“I think students should definitely participate in Day of Giving because it of course supports the Rowan departments, different clubs, and organizations here on campus that require funding. For my club personally, we hope to get donations from individuals and more people into our organization,” said Lopez.
Freshman Kamryn Jones, a member of Rowan’s Badminton and Competitive Team, shared her perspective on the breakdown of just how costly things can be for organizations and clubs, along with how this event can further bring aid towards these prices.
“The Day of Giving impacts the Badminton and Competitive Team through donations that would help cover expenses, especially travel costs. Today’s goal isn’t just to raise money, but to reach more members, by showing them how fun this sport is, along with how they can have fun on courts,” said Jones.
Beyond just raising funds, Rowan’s Day of Giving is about unity and showcasing the diverse network of students who contribute to college life. Senior Elizah-Imari Dixon feels that it’s important for students to participate in Day of Giving, as many can be unappreciative of what they receive at times, and that Day of Giving is a good reminder to give back to one another.
“I think people tend to take all the things we have for granted. It ends up putting everything you have into perspective. Especially when it comes to what it is to be a college student. So I work in the Alumni engagement office, so it’s definitely an opportunity for us to be more front-facing towards students and create that solid connection,” said Dixon.
Every participant and representative in the Day of Giving embodies the spirit of collaboration with one another, alongside fostering student and community empowerment. With 2026 serving as the third year in a row where the event has raised over $400,000, Day of Giving’s success serves as a reminder that generosity shines brightly on campus, and Prof spirit goes hand in hand with shaping a stronger future for the University as a whole.
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