FUEL Furman Fundraising Concludes

The third year of FUEL Furman: Ignite the Fire, Fuel the Future officially concluded on April 3. Nearly 80 donors participated with gifts ranging from $5 to $1,000. In total, supporters gave close to $8,500, more than doubling the amount raised for student projects in 2014. Even if a group was unable to reach their total fundraising goal, all projects were designed to be scalable and funds will be put to use immediately.

Here is how the key groups fared in generating support for their projects:

The Bell Tower Boys, Furman’s all-male a cappella group, raised $4,528, exceeding their $4,000 goal for a high school recruitment tour. Since raising the funds, the group already began their spring tour and is making plans to record a unique album of their best hits.

Save our Bikes raised $2,051 towards their $5,000 goal to design and build bicycle rack coverings on campus. Through a collaboration with the physics department and the Shi Center for Sustainability, the students will engineer and design the shelter using sustainable material. Design for the first prototype has already begun.

The Paladin Network, Furman’s only TV station, generated $806 towards their $2,500 goal to purchase new equipment. In adding to their production toolbox, they hope to increase membership with renewed capabilities. The students budgeted $750 for expanded audio equipment capabilities and though they did not meet their overall goal, FUEL funds will be able to cover that expense.

Hoping to strengthen community connections, The Makery Project is an initiative and physical space that will serve as an adaptable hub for mixed use. Donors provided $1,076 towards the goal of $5,000 and funds will be used to furnish and upfit the chosen physical space in Greenville County.

Thank you to all FUEL Furman donors and to the students with vision and creativity for what they believed their Furman experience could be.