Women's Giving Challenge raises more than $700,000, exceeds goal

In honor of Rider's 150-year legacy of advancing women’s education, the Rider Women's Giving Challenge was launched last October. The Challenge sought to raise $510,000 in gifts to support educational opportunities for current students. Donors exceeded the initial goal and contributed by the Challenge's end a total of $781,554.

The funds will be used to support scholarship opportunities, study abroad programs, student-faculty research projects, multicultural programming, career services initiatives and more.

"I am thrilled with the response to the Women's Giving Challenge," says Joan Mazzotti ’72, Board of Trustees and Women's Giving Challenge Leadership team member. "Not only did we meet the Challenge, but we far exceeded our original goal. This very heartening result speaks volumes about the commitment of the Rider community to the success of the next generation of women at Rider."

The Women's Giving Challenge Leadership team matched dollar for dollar up to $255,000 of all new or increased gifts made by or in honor of women. A total of $526,554 was raised in response to challenge, $454,413 of which was from new or increased gifts made by women and $72,141 was in tribute to women from men.

"I am delighted and grateful for the generosity of our alumnae and the impact they have made upon Rider," says Pamela Mingle, senior associate director of major gifts and director of the Rider Women's Leadership Council. "As a result of this challenge, women have created endowed, renewable four-year scholarships for young women, scholarships to ensure access to education from diverse populations and served as mentors and role models for students. We surpassed our goal because Rider women are committed to ensuring the next generation of female leaders."

A kickoff event was held at Homecoming last October with the leadership team, which consists of Mazzotti, Denise Pettita '86, '91, Donna Granato '95, Michele Powers '84, Meghan Holohan '99, '01 and Katherine Mortimer '92. Action News anchor Sharrie Williams served as the keynote speaker. This event was one of the most successful fundraising events for Rider, raising nearly $40,000 in two hours.

"I am so grateful to the women who joined me in funding the Challenge and to all who responded so generously and purposefully," Mazzotti says. "Together we are helping to ensure that the University's strong tradition of preparing women for personal and professional success continues and flourishes."