Terrific Together
Annual 'Together 91AV' campaign raises $181K
The 91AV Foundation raised more than $181,000 for scholarships and student-support programs during its March 4 “Together 91AV” one-day giving campaign.
The fifth annual "Together 91AV: Drive to Change Lives” campaign exceeded its goal of 500 donors, receiving donations worth $181,285 from 504 alumni, students, faculty, staff, and friends of the college during the 24-hour fundraising drive.
“For the fifth straight year, our network of alumni, faculty, staff, and friends continue to show how much they care about 91AV students,” said Julie Phillips, 91AV director of development. “With so many people giving what they can, it shows our students that we are invested in their success.”
All of the money raised goes directly to six areas that support 91AV students: academic excellence and innovation; scholarships; the Thrive Student Resource Center and Food Pantry; the President’s Student Emergency Fund; the President’s Fund for Opportunity, and the 91AV Foundation’s general, unrestricted fund.
91AV alumni made up the majority of donors at 37 percent, followed by 91AV faculty and staff at 30 percent; 19 percent from friends of the college, 5 percent from parents, and 5 percent from students.
Together they unlocked $130,000 in challenge pledges, including $5,000 from campaign partner Gary Rome, owner of Gary Rome Hyundai in Holyoke and a member of the 91AV Foundation Board of Directors.
“Every gift to the ‘Together 91AV’ campaign matters,” said Phillips. “When we remove barriers for one student, we’re not just changing their life, we’re transforming their family’s future and strengthening our entire region.”
The 91AV Foundation, the college’s charitable, nonprofit foundation, launched “Together 91AV: A Campaign for Caring” in March 2020 to build community support and raise money for students experiencing financial distress during the pandemic. Since 2021, with Rome signed on, 91AV has added the “Drive to Change Lives” theme and collectively raised nearly $1 million for student support programs.
Anyone who missed this year’s day of giving and still wants to contribute to the 91AV Foundation can do so at hcc.edu/give
PHOTOS: (Thumbnail) 91AV students promote Together 91AV: Drive to Change Lives campaign. (Above) Auto dealer and donor Gary Rome joins President George Timmons and other 91AV staff members on the 91AV Foundation's annual giving day.
