RPi Giving Day 2026

Now more than ever, the world needs RPI’s innovative faculty, dynamic students, and fearless alumni who continue to change the world. Our students are tomorrow’s engineers, research scientists, inventors, innovators, leaders, and entrepreneurs. Your gift right now will help us invest in and empower their future success.

Student Experience Excellence Fund

Addresses the emerging needs that foster success and enrich the everyday lives of all RPI students, regardless of their academic major. Managed by the Vice Provost for the Student Experience, this fund will support innovative programs and provide the essential resources for students to thrive personally and academically.

Funds may be allocated to:

• Programs that support student health and well-being
• Initiatives that enhance social and crosscultural skills, fostering greater awareness and understanding while helping students engage in meaningful conversations with their peers
• Enhancements to experiential learning and leadership opportunities
• Easier access to integrated student support services that minimize barriers and address transactional, academic, and personal needs
  

Inclusive Excellence Fund

Supports and advances meaningful resources for LGBTQ+ students and other historically underrepresented communities, helping to create a campus environment that is welcoming, affirming, and enriching. This fund also enhances intersectional programming that reflects and respects the diverse experiences of the RPI community.

Student Relief Funds (Undergraduate & Graduate)

Offers temporary and emergency financial support to RPI students experiencing unexpected hardships that may jeopardize their ability to remain enrolled.

Funds may be allocated to:

• Emergency travel expenses due to family crisis or urgent needs
• Medical bills not covered by insurance
• Rent, food, and replacement of essential academic supplies or personal items

Student Access Fund

Expands access for students facing financial barriers, strengthening RPI’s commitment to equity and belonging. By covering out-of-pocket costs for activities, events, and student organizations, the fund ensures every student can fully engage in the RPI experience.

Funds may be allocated to:

• Dues for student activities (fraternity/sororities, honor societies, etc.)
• Study abroad, internship, or co-op expenses
• Expenses for events or for tickets to a game or show
• Club and intramural sports out-of-pocket expenses for equipment or travel

I-PERSIST Mentor Program

A collaboration between the School of Science and Division of Student Life, this program is designed for first-year students registered for Calculus I, Chemistry I or Physics I during the fall semester of their first year at RPI. Students are assigned into small groups, and sessions are run by an undergraduate student mentor, with a focus on skill-building and subject-specific academic support.

LGBTQ+ Gift Fund

Your support of the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Gift Fund will help fund campus initiatives such as RPI’s Lavender Graduation, an annual celebration of graduating LGBTQ+ students and members of the LGBTQ+ community.

This event serves as an opportunity to celebrate the unique achievements and obstacles that many LGBTQ+ students experience while studying at and graduating from RPI, as well as to recognize individual students, faculty, staff, and alumni for their contributions to the campus community.

The support provided by donors and attendees reinforces the dedication and commitment to our LGBTQ+ students’ and graduates’ success and helps make this event possible from start to finish!

Mary Jane and Hugh M. Archer ’37 Center for Student Leadership Development (ACSLD)

ACSLD empowers the RPI community through interactive, reflective experiences that cultivate lifelong leadership. By promoting engagement and skill-building, ACSLD inspires ethical, inclusive, and critical leaders to address global challenges. Your donation supports leadership workshops, retreats, and immersive experiences that prepare students to lead with confidence, creativity, and integrity.

I-PERSIST (Integrative Program for Education, Research, and Support Involving Science and Technology)

A collaboration between the School of Science and Student Experience, this program supports first-year students during the fall semester of their first year at RPI enrolled in Calculus I, Chemistry I, or Physics I. Students are placed in small groups led by an undergraduate student mentor, with sessions focused on skill-building and subject-specific academic support. Your donation funds peer mentors training and additional resources that help students succeed in RPI’s most challenging gateway courses.

Student Food Pantry

The RPI Student Food Pantry provides non-perishable food items to help supplement the primary food sources of both undergraduate and graduate students. It’s a vital resource for those facing food insecurity and ensures every student has access to basic necessities. Your support allows us to stock a wider range of high-need items, keep shelves replenished, and expand hours so no student has to choose between their education and their next meal.

Navigating Rensselaer & Beyond (NRB) Scholarships

NRB offers incoming first-year students the chance to connect with their classmates through a variety of overnight trips and shared experiences across the region. These experiences help students build community, ease the transition to college, and start their RPI journey with confidence and connection. With your help, we can ensure that all students, regardless of financial circumstances, can participate. Your gift helps cover out-of-pocket costs so that every student can begin their RPI experience with belonging and joy.

Chapel + Cultural Center (C+CC)

The C+CC is a dynamic and welcoming space that fosters connection, reflection, and community among people of all backgrounds. Rooted in the Catholic tradition, the C+CC warmly welcomes individuals of all faiths and those with no religious affiliation. It encourages participation, dialogue, and shared experiences. Your gift sustains diverse programming, enhances the facility, and funds student-centered events that build community and belonging.