Raritan Valley Community College’s 24-hour Giving Day initiative raised a record $203,655 for scholarships, student clubs and athletic teams, as well as a range of centers, institutes and critical programs.
Energized by the return of a $50,000 “match challenge,” and further amplified by the largest single Giving Day gift in the college’s history, this 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 attributable to the return of two generous benefactors — Jim and Jill Gibson of Basking Ridge and The Caruso Family Foundation — whose $50,000 in combined gifts fueled this year’s match challenge.
“Offering the challenge was an easy decision for us,” said Jim Gibson. “We know how important the match is and we’re huge believers in RVCC and its impact.”
This year’s fundraising total represents a 32% increase in funds raised over last year’s Giving Day, and a 23% increase over the 2023 tally and the previous record of $164,585.
A total of 35 student clubs and athletic teams participated in this year’s fundraising, which netted $33,095. Both were new records for the event. As part of the match, those funds raised by students will be doubled. In addition, this year’s Giving Day saw notable gains in RVCC alumni participation and in funds raised — both up by an impressive 30%.
This year’s fundraising total was significantly aided by the largest single Giving Day gift ever — a $50,000 contribution from Lori Grossi of Clinton.
“My goal was to eventually endow the RVCC Scholarship for Fundamental Fairness, which I established in 2020 in memory of my husband, Jay,” said Grossi. “Giving Day presented a perfect opportunity for me to address the essential need for education in our country and honor the college, students, and leadership that I have become so passionate about supporting.”
“This year’s record-breaking results are inspiring, and we can’t thank each donor enough — and especially The Caruso Family Foundation, the Gibsons, and Lori Grossi,” said Michael J. McDonough, president, RVCC. “Their generous support of our mission and our students provides an epic example for all.”
“The Caruso Family Foundation was honored to lend our support to RVCC’s Giving Day,” said said Anthony Caruso Sr. “The positive impact RVCC has on the lives of its students and our community is immeasurable and instrumental.”
RVCC Giving Day 2025 donors were invited to select from a wide range of college programs, student clubs, RVCC Athletic teams, and other initiatives they wished to support, including the Student Resource Center and Food Pantry, The Pray Family Center for Service Learning and Civic Engagement at RVCC, the Honors College, and Workforce Training Center, as well as a range of scholarship offerings. Donors also had the opportunity to “write in” additional giving preferences.
This year’s winners of the Patrick J. Fittipaldi Impact Award — which celebrates student success in support of RVCC Giving Day — were the men’s basketball team for the most funds raised ($5,800) and the women’s basketball team for the most $50+ donations (16).
About the RVCC Foundation
The RVCC Foundation is the fundraising arm of Raritan Valley Community College. It provides the resources that enable the college to enhance its programs beyond public and tuition sources and to maintain its standing as a premier academic institution and one of the most important sources of culture and continuing education in Somerset and Hunterdon counties. For more information about ways to support the college and the work of the RVCC Foundation, contact Mike Marion at michael.marion@raritanval.edu, or visit https://rvccfoundation.org.
Photo Caption: RVCC staffers, volunteers, and retirees celebrate RVCC Giving Day 2025 on March 27 at the Stoney Brook Grille in Branchburg. – Photo courtesy of Raritan Valley Community College.
