NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — It pays to be a Scarlet Knight.

Rutgers University raised more than $209 million over the past academic year, shattering its prior record by 11 percent, according to the school. Nearly 50,000 donors—from large institutions to alumni—contributed money, a number that broke yet another record, Rutgers said in a press release.

“Thanks to the increasing generosity of our donors, Rutgers University can provide greater resources to our outstanding students and exceptional faculty,” the school's president, Robert Barchi, said. “This record year of giving shows tremendous support for our university's goals and our vision for the future.”

Sign Up for New Brunswick Newsletter Our newsletter delivers the local news that you can trust. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply. You have successfully signed up for the TAPinto New Brunswick Newsletter.

The money will fund student scholarships, “groundbreaking” research, athletics and new initiatives geared toward making New Jersey healthier, according to Rutgers. Each program slated to receive money is outlined in the university's five-year strategic plan, which was adopted in early 2014, according to the release.

Rutgers' fundraising year ran from July 2016 through June 2017.

Fundraisers noted that Rutgers saw “a significant increase” in gifts of $1 million or more, totaling $124 million by these heavy-hitters. That sum also includes more than $41 million in new bequests.

Nevin Kessler, head of the Rutgers University Foundation, said this money is “critical” to Rutgers and each cause and person the university reaches through its work.

“This milestone is further evidence that gifts of all sizes are fueling Rutgers' momentum and providing opportunities for alumni and friends to make their mark and help the university expand its ability to transform lives,” Kessler added.





So who gave big money—and what will it cover? Here's a brief rundown.

RWJ-Barnabas Health invested $18 million to help build a multi-sport training center and sports medicine program, which will bear the company's name.

The Pussycat Foundation donated $1.37 million for leadership scholarships for women in the honors program at Newark.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation donated more than $10 million to boost health through several separate programs.

An “anonymous donor”—previously reported to be noted boosters Jeff and Amy Towers—contributed $5 million to Rutgers Athletics.

More than 430 people donated a total of $3 million to create the Gloria Steinem Endowed Chair in Media, Culture and Feminist Studies.

Alumni Barbara and Gary Rodkin, along with the Rodkin Family Foundation, donated $3.2 million to establish science scholars and service-learning endowments and boost the Rutgers Future Scholars program.

Marian Wissman set aside $3 million to created an endowed chair in economics at Rutgers Camden, the second in campus history.

The Philip and Janice Levin Foundation contributed $1 million to fund scholarships at the law school and Mason Gross School of the Arts.

The Good Ventures Foundation donated $2.98 million to spur research into nuclear war.

Aimee Ramcharran, who graduated from the pharmacy school in 2004, and Bibiano and Asuncion de Chavez gave $1 million for an endowed scholarship and excellence fund at the business school.

For more information on donors and gift-funded programs, click here.