Crowdfunding
Rutgers Giving Day(s)
I focus not only on the amount donors give but also on the impact of their gifts. By highlighting this impact, they can tangibly see their contributions making a difference. This could be in the lives of our students (through things like research funding, or the creation of scholarships), space improvements (such as bringing internet to the farm, or making the barn a smart classroom), or creating a creating specific funds that can operate for multiple years (research funds or endowments).
Since joining the Equine Science Center, one of my first major fundraising initiatives was getting the Center involved in Rutgers Giving Day. A daylong event that focused on raising funds and awareness for specific needs, I focused on our donors who traditionally gave at different points throughout the year, so they would coordinate their efforts on Rutgers Giving Day. Because of this, year after year, the Center has been one of the highest fundraising units throughout the university, and one of, if not the top, fundraising unit at the School of Environmental & Biological Sciences / New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station during Rutgers Giving Day.
“Rutgers’ Equine Science Center is an example of the power of gifts united toward a single cause. On last year’s Rutgers Giving Day, donors gave more than $16,000 to support the center. Some of those gifts are supporting Equine Science 4 Kids, which introduces children to the fields of animal studies, science, technology, engineering and math. Other gifts made to the center that day are supporting horse health, pasture maintenance, veterinary care and graduate student research.”
March 26, 2019 – Rutgers Today Promo Story for Rutgers Giving Day 2019:
University Community Will “Think Bigger” on Rutgers Giving Day
In 2019, through a coordinated campaign I developed and managed, I engaged alumni, Rutgers University Board for Equine Advancement (RBUEA) members, and graduate and undergraduate students, culminating in raising almost twice what we raised in 2018.
While some years are better than others for fundraising, since starting this initiative, the Center has repeatedly raised at least $20,000 in each crowdfunding campaign.
Scholarships
Ronald S. Dancer Memorial Scholarship
Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer served as the assemblyperson from New Jersey’s 12th Legislative District, as the Deputy Republican Leader in the New Jersey Assembly, and in the New Jersey General Assembly since 2002. He was a former horseman, trainer, driver, and the son of the late Hall of Fame harness horse racing driver Stanley Dancer. Assemblyman Dancer professionally raced and trained harness horses from 1968 through 1998.
“For his incomparable work as a horseman, legislator, colleague, and friend of the equine industry,” said Dr. Karyn Malinowski, Founding Director of the Rutgers Equine Science Center, “We are proud to announce the ‘Assemblyman Ronald S. Dancer Memorial Scholarship,’ in recognition of his steadfast commitment to the equine community, education, and giving back to those in need.”
November 16, 2022 – Press Release:
Rutgers Equine Science Center Announces “Ronald S. Dancer Memorial Scholarship” Named For Former New Jersey Assemblyman Ronald Dancer
Upon his passing, the equine community wanted to do something to honor the memory of Assemblyman Dancer. I led the fundraising effort for this, and we have since raised enough money to fund a yearly scholarship for an undergraduate student majoring in Animal Sciences with an equine emphasis who has dedicated their time to service and leadership, just as former Assemblyman Dancer did throughout his entire career.
Kyle S. hartmann 