The Gift of Regis: Many Ways to Give

The Annual Fund continues to be the lifeblood of Regis’s financial picture. Last year, donors contributed $8.5 million to the Annual Fund, which not only broke records, but also allowed Regis to operate “in the black” and re-invest money in capital improvements and our endowment.

Our Annual Fund and fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30. Throughout the year, a few special occasions stand out as special opportunities to support the school:

Each November, Giving Tuesday is a global day of charity that was started in response to the shopping-focused days of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This year, Regis participated for the third year running, and again set records, raising $254,000 from 680 gifts. Social media campaigns and unique giveaways keep donors engaged on this popular day of giving.

In recent years, Reunion Giving has become more prominent at Regis.

• In celebration of their 50th Reunion last June, the Class of 1967 raised $650,000 to begin the Arthur Bender, SJ ’67 Scholarship Fund. This year’s 50th Reunion Class of 1968 seeks to meet or better that mark!
• The Class of 1983 celebrated their reunion in April, and they are raising $300,000 for a partial Regis Scholarship to benefit a REACH alumnus.
• The Classes of 1978 and 1993 have both pledged $100,000 for the Annual Fund, covering the equivalent cost of one student’s four years at Regis.
• Even the young class of 2008 has set a goal of $25,000 for their 10th Reunion, which would cover the cost of educating one student for one year.

Reunion years offer a meaningful occasion for alumni to increase their support to ensure the gift of a Regis education for generations to come.

The Senior Parent Gift is another special giving effort. Last year, the Parents of the Class of 2017 raised $510,000, with $300,000 supporting the Annual Fund and $210,00 beginning a partial scholarship in the name of the class. This year, Parents of the Class of 2018 have raised $400,000 towards a $500,000 goal. In both cases, parents of seniors have increased their giving significantly compared to the prior year, a sign of their gratitude and commitment as their sons graduate.

Many schools organize a day of giving during the year, usually around a significant date or occasion. Last year, Regis held its first Giving Weekend, meant to commemorate the 100th graduating class. An anonymous donor challenged the community to match a gift of $100,000. Our community met and boldly surpassed that challenge, raising $850,000 from 1,800 gifts! This year, the Board of Trustees and its Committee members are working on an even bolder challenge, one that will help us celebrate the first graduates of Regis’s second century. With your help, we hope that our second Giving Weekend will be even more successful than the first.

Regardless of when and how you give, your support ensures that Regis can sustain its unique and inspiring mission. We continue to be grateful for the many donors who support our school and especially who have been inspired to give to this year’s Annual Fund.

The Office of Development is ready to help you explore the methods of giving that work best for you and your family. Please call us at (212) 288-1142 or email giving@regis.org.