3-2-1 Challenge at the Starting Line

03/06/2017 

The countdown has begun.

Actually, it’s the countdown to the countdown.

In just 14 days, on March 21 (3/21) SUNY Cortland and the Cortland Fund will host the 321 Champions Challenge, a 24-hour fundraising initiative to raise money for scholarships, academic initiatives and program support.

If at least 321 people beat that 24-hour clock by making a contribution of any size that day to the Cortland Fund, generous Cortland alums Victor M. Rumore II ’84 and Michael J. Cappeto ’71, M ’73 have pledged to provide an $11,000 matching gift.

Students, faculty, staff, alumni and others can do more than make a gift. They may also spread support for the 24-hour giving marathon through social media by adopting the 3-2-1 Challenge emblem for their Instagram and Twitter accounts that day. Supporters are encouraged to use the hashtag #CortlandChallenge.

Although SUNY Cortland is a state-funded institution, less than 25 percent of its operating budget comes from state government. To help close the gap, the Cortland Fund works to raise money through donations that support and enrich the Red Dragon educational experience.

“The Cortland Fund touches every area of campus, from more than 865 scholarship recipients to faculty and staff who receive funding for classroom innovations and undergraduate research opportunities.” Said Erin Boylan, Interim Director of The Cortland Fund. “I am so grateful we have amazing alumni who are willing to step forward and draw attention to the importance of giving at SUNY Cortland by providing generous match gifts for the 321 Champions Challenge.”

Last year’s fundraising challenge raised $114,226 from 687 unique donors over a 24-hour period.

Every donation counts towards the matching goal. There is no requirement for a donation other than it has to be made between midnight and 11:59 p.m. on March 21.

Donations can be made online at www.RedDragonNetwork.org/challenge on the day of the event. Gifts to the Cortland College Foundation, Inc. are tax deductible. Charitable gifts can be designed to maximize the donor’s tax status while providing support to SUNY Cortland.

For more information on the 321 Champions Challenge, contact Boylan or call 607-753-5578.