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Raise the Shield, Fenwick’s 9th annual day of giving is coming soon!
 
Mark your calendars for this year’s Raise the Shield - Fenwick’s 24-hour day of giving!
This year's goal of $250,000 will collectively fund the average financial aid award for 40 students. Every dollar raised goes directly to financial assistance for our families who need it.

This online fundraising event will be held from 9 p.m. on Feb. 19th through 9 p.m. on Feb. 20th, 2025.  Our goal is to engage Friars from across the state, the country and around the world in support of Fenwick.

2024 Raise the Shield Was a Tremendous Success!

Thank you to our alumni who participated in the
2024 Raise the Shield Day of Giving!
 
This year's event included gifts from 444 alumni who, along with the entire Friar community, collectively raised over $230,000 for our students.  A special honor goes to our Class of 1974, who contributed nearly $19,000 and will enjoy another year in the #1 spot.  The Classes of 1972 & 1981 were not far behind at $15,750 & $14,750 respectively.
 
Thank you, Friars!

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 8 frequently asked questions.

  • Q. What is a “giving day”?

    A giving day is a 24-hour online fundraising event bringing together like-minded donors around a common cause.

  • Q. What is Raise The Shield?

    Raise The Shield is a Fenwick-centric “giving day”. This online fundraising event will be held in the spring of every year. Our goal is to engage Friars from across the state, the country and around the world in this support of Fenwick.

  • Q. Are Raise The Shield donations tax-deductible?

    Yes, your gift is tax-deductible. You will receive an email confirmation after you make your gift that serves as your receipt for tax purposes.

  • Q. Where does my gift go?

    Gifts received from Raise The Shield support the Fenwick Fund. Like all Fenwick Fund (annual giving) donations, your contributions during Raise the Shield support tuition assistance for worthy students, as well as enhance the entire student experience through support of all academic departments, fine arts programs, student activities, and athletics. Raise the Shield dollars provide unrestricted support for Fenwick’s budget, without which Fenwick could not offer the first-class, transformative experience that we do.

  • Q. Is there a minimum gift amount?

    Yes. Our secure online giving page has a minimum gift amount of $10. We accept American Express, Visa and MasterCard.

  • Q. Can anyone participate in Raise The Shield?

    Absolutely! Support from the ENTIRE Fenwick community is what makes our school a remarkable place! No matter what your connection is to Fenwick, your donation will be counted toward our Raise The Shield goals.

  • Q. Can I make a Raise The Shield gift by phone or by check?

    If you would like to make your gift via a credit/debit card over the phone, please contact Cindy Erwin, Director for Annual Giving at (708) 948-0324. If you would prefer to send us a check, please make it payable to Fenwick High School and put Raise The Shield in the memo line, so we know to include it in our final totals.

  • Q. What can I do to help get the word out about Raise The Shield?

    You can spread the word about this great event on your social networks. Send emails to your friends and family, and direct them to this page. And on the day, use #RaiseTheShield on Facebook and Twitter.

Raise the Shield History

Fenwick’s first ever 24-hour on-line day-of-giving was held on February 22, 2017. It was a rousing success with nearly 800 donors (not including current students) and $180,000 raised toward the Fenwick Fund in a single day! Since the first year, thousands of Friars have donated more than $1.4M in support of our students.
  • In 2017, the members of the class of 2016 had the highest number of donors, followed closely behind by the classes of 1974 and 1989.
  • In 2018, the members of the class of 2017 had the highest number of donors, followed closely behind by the classes of 2016 and 1982.
  • In 2019, the members of the classes of 1974 and 2018 tied for the highest number of donors.
  • In 2020, members of the Class of 1974 had the highest number of donors, followed closely behind by the Classes of 2019, 2018 and 2017.
  • In 2021, members of the Class of 1974 once again had the highest number of donors, followed closely behind by the Classes of 1968, 1989 and 2019.
  • In 2022, members of the Class of 1974 once again had the highest number of donors, followed closely behind by the Classes of 1992, 1968 and 2003.
  • In 2023, members of the Class of 1974 once again had the highest number of donors, marking the fifth year in a row!
  • In 2024, members of the Class of 1974 once again had the highest number of donors, marking the sixth year in a row!

The goal was to engage Friars from across the state, the country and around the world in support of Fenwick. It also helped inspire some healthy competition among our alumni classes! Raise the Shield marketing was driven by videos and social media created and produced by current Fenwick students. Please click here to watch the inaugural trailer.

Raise the Shield will only continue to grow in coming years as a community-wide event to express generosity to Fenwick for all it has meant to Friars and their families and friends.  

Please help us Raise the Shield each and every year!

Your gift strengthens the mission of Fenwick High School—"to inspire excellence and educate each student to lead, achieve and serve"—and furthers the 800-year-old legacy of the four core spiritual values of the Dominicans.
For more information about Raise the Shield and any other Fenwick Fund opportunities, please contact Director of Annual Giving Katie Vanaria at kvavaria@fenwickfriars.com or 708-948-0306.

Thank you for your support of Fenwick High School!

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