In Just One Day, The Montclair Community Raised Over $700,000 To Empower Students

The Red Hawk community showed up in full force on Thursday for One Day For Montclair — Montclair State University’s annual 24-hour fundraising event supporting scholarships, athletics, and essential campus initiatives.

“One Day For Montclair is a day where our entire community — alumni, faculty, staff, students and parents — comes together to make a real impact for our students and programs,” says Kara Baldwin Brennan ‘92, Director of Annual Giving. “It’s a chance for everyone to feel part of something bigger than themselves.”

The giving event coincided with World’s Fair Day, an annual celebration of Montclair’s vibrant cultural community. Hundreds of students, faculty and staff gathered on Alumni Green to sample international foods, such as Korean BBQ bowls, tacos carnitas and samosas, and to enjoy performances by Montclair’s student organizations.

From seeing eye dog training to Greek life, the Alumni Green was alive with over 50 tables giving out freebies and showcasing student orgs, campus offices, and academic departments.

Red Hawks of all ages gathered on campus as proud alumni returned with their families to show off their alma mater, while Montclair faculty and staff brought their children to celebrate Bring Your Child to Work Day.

When it came to giving, donors were encouraged to give to the scholarship, school, program, athletic team, or student organization that meant the most to them — and altogether, they raised $708,687 for the school. 

“From the Red Hawk Pantry to our schools and athletic teams, every single dollar made a difference,” says Brennan. “From partnering with Java Love for the Give-a-Latte initiative to the donation match challenges, One Day was all about everybody chipping in to make Montclair an even better place.”

The 2,005 donations are already making a difference.

Here are just few of the many recipients of the Montclair community’s generosity:

Red Hawk Pantry – 29% of students at four-year colleges suffer from food insecurity, and the number is higher for students of color. Donations help stock the pantry with food and toiletry items and allows the team to meet evolving needs of the Montclair student population year-round.

Rocky’s Closet – Provides professional clothing to students preparing for interviews, internships and jobs — regardless of financial need. Donations also cover dry cleaning and necessities like dress socks, undergarments and belts.

Montclair Emergency Scholarship Fund – Offers immediate financial support to students facing significant hardship, helping them stay enrolled and finish their degree.

Educational Opportunity Book Fund – With the cost of textbooks averaging $200–$600 per semester, this fund helps low-income, high-achieving students afford the books they need to succeed.

Impact at Bloomfield College

After merging with Montclair, Bloomfield College students also benefit from the day’s generosity:

Bloomfield College Emergency Scholarship Fund – Ensures that no Bloomfield student is forced to choose between financial hardship and their academic future. 

Bloomfield College Food Pantry Fund – Keeps pantry shelves stocked with non-perishable food, personal care products, school supplies, and tableware. 

Bloomfield College Emergency Book Fund – Ensures that students facing financial hardship have access to the textbooks they need for a successful semester. 

Deacon’s Fund – Supports Bloomfield’s NCAA Division II men’s and women’s athletic teams — as well as our growing esports program — by providing funds for equipment, travel, training, and facilities.

Photos by University Photographer Mike Peters.