Crowdfunding@Fisher Supports Special Fisher Projects

A new initiative from the Office of Institutional Advancement seeks to leverage the collective support of the College community to fund special projects at Fisher.

Launching this spring, Crowdfunding@Fisher will solicit many, smaller gifts to provide financial support to up to six projects each semester.

Phil Castleberry, vice president for institutional advancement, said he envisions that selected projects will be innovative or have the potential to quickly impact the campus community.

“We are frequently approached by partners across campus for assistance in fundraising for projects or new initiatives, but lacked a mechanism to support their efforts,” Castleberry explained. “I hope that the Fisher community will be excited about this new opportunity and rally around each other’s projects.”

Castleberry said he also believes that crowdfunding - a fundraising concept that relies on predominantly online solicitation and has ballooned in popularity in recent years - will resonate with Fisher graduates, as well.

“It creates another avenue for alumni to stay engaged with the College and up-to-date with what is happening on campus,” he said.

The initiative will be guided by a steering committee of campus representatives who will help select projects to be featured each semester. Members  include Dr. Robert Ruehl (School of Arts and Sciences); Dean Rama Yelkur (School of Business); Jennifer Pluretti (Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. School of Education);  Melissa Bourne (Wegmans School of Nursing); Shawn Fellows (Wegmans School of Pharmacy); Jill McCabe (Athletics Department); Melissa Jadlos (Lavery Library); Terri Travaglini (Student Affairs); Candice Sheffer (Controller) ; James Nguyen (Student Activities Board); Zahedie Martir (Student Government Association); and Darienne Slocum (Student Alumni Association).

Applications for projects to run in spring 2018 are now being accepted until Friday, Feb. 9, at 11:59 p.m. Applications are open to faculty, students, and staff, and only those applications submitted online will be accepted.

For more information about Crowdfunding@Fisher, visit http://alumni.sjfc.edu/crowdfundingapp or email Kelly Sudol, director of advancement services, at ksudol@sjfc.edu.