Together with members of the campus community, the Institutional Advancement (IA) team works closely with alumni, parents, friends and campus partners to identify, secure, steward and invest resources to enrich academic, athletic and campus life at the College of Charleston.

This capable unit of professionals engages donors and prospective donors with executives and academic units in alignment with the College’s strategic plan, Tradition and Transformation, and the president’s fundraising priorities. The team has had three record breaking fundraising years in a row, with an all-time high of $23.1 million raised last year, which contributed to the College of Charleston Foundation’s assets valued at $160 million.

So far for the 2022-23 academic year, IA has made some remarkable achievements, including major gifts for the Student Success Center that will be located at 58 George Street, the construction of the baseball performance center and renovation and construction of the tennis facility at Patriots Point. To date, in addition to awarding more than 500 existing scholarships, 20 new scholarships have been established and numerous faculty research projects have been funded.

These accomplishments are thanks to the IA team comprised of Advancement Services; Corporate and Foundation Relations; Major, Principal and Planned Giving; Financial Services; Property Management; Stewardship and Donor Relations; and the Alumni Association.

On Thursday, Jan. 26, 2023, IA will host the 4th annual CofC Day with the Alumni Association leading the charge. More than 20 regional CofC Clubs will host parties from London to Los Angeles for alumni, parents, students, faculty, staff, family and friends.

To build-up to CofC Day and drive pride, excitement and energy among our more than 10,000 students on campus, Spirit Week, which kicks off Jan. 23, will have fun events featuring complimentary food, T-shirts and giveaways. Spirit Week events include the following:

  • Jan. 23 is Maroon Monday. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear maroon and enjoy “Coffee with Clyde.”
  • Jan. 24 is Tradition Tuesday. To honor the College’s long tradition of getting involved on campus, students, faculty and staff are asked to wear their favorite CofC club or organization attire and enjoy “Popcorn with Professors” in honor of our legendary faculty.
  • Jan. 25 is Way Back Wednesday. Students, faculty and staff are encouraged to wear vintage attire from the 1970s, 1980s or 1990s and have “Doughnuts with the Deans.”

On Jan. 26, CofC Day will showcase the College’s strategic priorities in a 24-hour day of giving starting online at 12 a.m. Co-hosted by the College and the Lowcountry CofC Club, the “Big Birthday Bash” will take place from 4:30-6:30 p.m. in the Cistern Yard with food trucks, the Chucktown Sound pep band, cheerleaders, the Cougarettes dance team, Clyde the Cougar, “Ping Pong with President Hsu,” CofC trivia games, attire and dance contests, and prizes. Tickets will go on sale in December and will include a food truck voucher, maroon velvet birthday cupcakes, a commemorative T-shirt, a ticket for a spin on the prize wheel and a donation to the College for CofC Day. For tickets, visit the Alumni Association’s social media sites on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.