Record Number of Donors Support I Heart Fisher Giving Day

On Thursday, March 23, a record-setting 1,072 donors showed their support and pride in St. John Fisher University, giving more than $285,000 on the fourth annual I Heart Fisher Day of Giving. The funds raised will support students, academic programs, athletics, and other important initiatives.

On campus, students, faculty, and staff celebrated philanthropy through several events and initiatives including the #IHeartFisherGivingDay Carnival in the Donald E. Bain Campus Center. Pop-up events during the day included the return of “Cardinal on the Street” which challenged participants to answer questions about the “Philanthropy Facts” displayed on signs across campus.

Generous benefactors offered challenges and matches to inspire alumni, faculty, staff, friends, and family to give. Dan ’79 and Shelley Boyce, Mike ’82 and Chris Haefner, and Mike ’80 and Karen Moran, matched $75,000 in gifts in honor of Fisher’s 75th anniversary. More than 145 faculty and staff contributed on the day, unlocking a $2,500 challenge gift from Fisher retiree Bob Heerkens, and his wife, Tarri. And, an additional nine matches and challenges were met by donors totaling $130,000.

For the second straight year, women’s soccer topped the Athletics Leaderboard with a record-setting 110 donors, and football claimed the second spot. The Classes of 1996 and 2008 tied for first place in the number of donors by graduation year.

Finally, 21 I Heart Fisher Giving Day community advocates encouraged participation through social media and personal outreach, raising more than $2,600.