On Wednesday, March 19, 2025, the Fairfield University community united in support of STAGiving Day, creating another unforgettable day of generosity and impact. 

Celebrating its 11th year, STAGiving Day is a special 24 hours of Stag philanthropy that connects students, alumni, parents, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends in a celebration of Fairfield. On campus, students searched for scavenger hunt boxes, volunteers handed out free coffee, trivia golf carts whisked students to class, and faculty and staff gathered for a special lunch celebration. Beyond campus, the larger Stag community — consisting of more than 4,600 donors from over 38 states and 9 countries — came together to impact more than 120 funds and unlock $1.5 million in challenge dollars. 

This effort secured a total of more than $3.9 million to advance opportunities and resources for students across research, scholarships, clubs, athletics, and more at Fairfield.

“The continued success of STAGiving Day reflects the deep pride our community holds for Fairfield University,” said Geri Derbyshire, vice president for University Advancement. “This collective generosity strengthens every corner of the University and advances our mission in meaningful ways.”

The incredible involvement of Fairfield’s alumni in particular has brought national attention to Stag Country. With a commitment to supporting the University’s new initiatives and overall mission, in recent years alumni generosity has placed Fairfield among the top colleges for alumni giving. According to a recent ranking published by U.S. News & World Report, Fairfield ranked number 15 nationally among colleges with the highest percentage of alumni donors. With an average of 21.4 percent of alumni donating in 2022–23, Fairfield University far surpasses the national average of 7.7 percent of alumni giving. 

This tremendous support from alumni, as well as the support from our entire University community, is pivotal in maintaining and advancing the Fairfield experience. 

In addition to donating on STAGiving Day, more than 100 volunteers showed their Stag spirit and helped spread the word about the event by starting their own challenges, becoming advocates, and sharing with their network on social channels. Many members of our Stag community shared why they choose to give back, including one alumni who posted: “As a first generation Italian-American and the first to graduate college in the U.S., I am committed to giving back to Fairfield, especially donating to the scholarship fund because I would not have had the opportunity to attend Fairfield if it were not for the scholarship and financial aid I received.” 

Together, our volunteers, donors, and advocates helped make this our most successful STAGiving Day yet. We truly appreciate your involvement in STAGiving Day 2025, and your unwavering commitment to Fairfield’s mission. Go Stags!

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