When student athlete Amelia York came to SUNY Brockport, she faced the burden of what many students face, the financial responsibility that comes with starting college.
Many other students like York would struggle to pay for tuition, room and board and food without the help of scholarships. This is where SUNY Brockport comes in with its annual Day of Giving.
From March 26 until April 8, SUNY Brockport promoted the Day of Giving, an event where the wider public can donate to many areas that will support students on their journey. This includes scholarships, the student emergency fund, the Fund for Brockport, undergraduate research, the athletics department and academic programs. Every single donation counts towards making a change in students’ lives and enriching their opportunities. This allows people in the Brockport community to contribute to the programs and feel more active in the lives of the students.
According to the SUNY Brockport official website, estimated costs for an undergraduate student staying on campus are $25,648 a year for New York State residents and $32,718 for a non-resident. This does not include indirect costs such as books, course materials and supplies, as well as transportation and personal expenses.
For student athletes such as York, this is only just the beginning.
“I am on scholarship to come here, so the money donated towards that is helping me pay for school. But mainly I am supported by athletic donations,” York said.
Over $112,000 was raised for the SUNY Brockport athletics department, contributing to the security of the department, as well as opportunities for students to gain new experiences. $87,000 was raised, with $25,000 in challenge gifts.
“Money donated towards the gymnastics program goes towards things like our gear (leotards, warm-ups, t-shirts, backpacks, duffel bags for travel), our gym and equipment, which is very nice compared to other D3 schools and even some D1 gyms, and payment for our food when we stay on campus over breaks or our travel costs when we travel for meets,” York said.
Student Ionna Vaugh echoes the importance of fundraising, so the financial pressure on students and their families is eased. Majoring in multidisciplinary education, she knows the impact that education brings to the wider community.
“I’m thankful to those who help support us in building our futures,” Vaugh said.
Scholarships are given to students who are recognized for their community impact and academic excellence that they bring to SUNY Brockport. Almost $900 has been raised for the scholarships department.
“It’s a huge accomplishment to be here, and people seem to recognize that and be more than willing to help if asked,” York said.
Last year, SUNY Brockport raised over $4,000,000, making 2023-24 the most successful in seven years, with 332 different academic areas supported.
Director of Giving Adam Standish knows how important the Day of Giving is, having attended Brockport from 1998 to 2000.
“The philanthropy behind the Day of Giving campaign gives me tremendous hope for the future. It’s a powerful reminder that when people come together to support a shared purpose, real change happens,” Standish said.
Contributions from anyone opens doors for students, in ways that they didn’t think possible.
“That kind of hope is transformational—and it’s what makes Brockport not just a university, but a community that lifts people up and helps them thrive,” Standish said.
Nearly $250,000 has been given overall. You can donate here to change students’ lives for the better, so they can receive education with no barriers.
