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University breaks fundraising record on Give Miami Day 10th anniversary
The 10th anniversary of Give Miami Day was FIU’s most successful yet, with generous supporters making gifts to programs spanning the university the week of Nov. 18.
The university received a record $215,043 from 352 donors over the course of Give Miami Day 2021, benefiting 50 projects at FIU ranging from scholarships for first-generation students to community-engaged programs and more.
FIU is one of more than 1,000 community organizations to participate in the online campaign, hosted by The Miami Foundation, which has become one of the nation's biggest 24-hour annual giving events. Through Give Miami Day, donors have given more than $100 million back to the Greater Miami community over the last decade.
In the last two years, FIU’s support has grown immensely – up from $11,484 raised in 2019. More than $100,000 was raised in 2020, from 358 donors.
Among many successes across the university this year, the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine received $52,107 – the highest total of donations raised by a college/school – benefiting the Christopher G. Korge and Family Scholarship Endowment, the Toti Mendez 23 Scholarship Endowment and the Linda Fenner 3D Mobile Mammography Center.
“We are overwhelmed by the kindness of our friends and supporters. This was our most successful Give Miami Day ever, and our students and the community will directly benefit from this generosity,” said Juan C. Cendan, interim dean of the Herbert Wertheim College of Medicine.
Other success stories include the College of Communication, Architecture + The Arts (which received the highest number of individual donations, 43), the Honors College, The Jewish Museum of Florida–FIU, The Wolfsonian–FIU, the FIU Center for Leadership and more.
FIU Theatre alumnus Andy Señor Jr.’s newly established, endowed Señor Family Scholarship for aspiring performers was among the funds to surpass its Give Miami Day fundraising goal. Señor – whose historic production of RENT in Havana is the subject of a moving documentary on HBO and HBO Max – said he is grateful for the role FIU and his professors played in his success. It inspired him to create the scholarship.
In an Instagram post, Señor said, “I wanted to take the opportunity and give back to the theatre program that supported me when I was a student… I know your support will mean so much to a future FIU student trying to find power in himself, his voice and his passion.”
The FIU Foundation coordinates fundraising efforts university-wide on Give Miami Day. Its CEO, Howard Lipman, said, “Give Miami Day is an exciting way for Miamians from all walks of life to band together and make a difference in our community every year. I am grateful for the support received for FIU’s students and programs on Give Miami Day, and I look forward to seeing it continue to grow next year.”