PISCATAWAY, N.J. – Giving Tuesday, a global generosity movement established in 2012 to unite and heal communities in good times and bad, takes place on Tuesday, Dec. 1, 2020. During this integral mission to spread kindness and compassion, Rutgers Athletics and the R Fund are raising funds for the Big Ten Champions Fund, which is currently utilized for COVID-19 relief resources for more than 600 Scarlet Knight student-athletes.
 
Over the coming months, the Big Ten Champions Fund at Rutgers will help provide mental health resources, COVID-19 testing, and deep cleaning of facilities.
 
R Fund will direct gifts on Giving Tuesday directly toward Scarlet Knight student-athlete wellness. Supporters are encouraged to motivate others on social media using #GivingTuesday and #TheBellsMustRing, and by visiting and sharing the R Fund Giving Page.
 
"Rutgers Athletics remains committed to ensuring that every student-athlete has the proper environment and resources to continue their education and athletic careers in the safest manner possible," said Director of Athletics Pat Hobbs. "Your gifts to the Big Ten Champions Fund will help our Scarlet Knights in their safe pursuit of excellence in academics, physical conditioning and mental health wellness."
 
Since its inception, the Big Ten Champions Fund has provided a best-in-class student-athlete experience "On the Banks," nourishing the bodies and minds of our current and future Scarlet Knights by supporting sports medicine, nutrition, academic programs, travel and student-athlete recruitment.
 
Rutgers Nation has had a profound impact on Scarlet Knight student-athletes since the onset of the global pandemic. Gifts to Rutgers Athletics on Giving Tuesday Now in April benefited temporary housing for displaced student-athletes, a nutrition per diem to cover food expenses, equipment for training at home, as well as other resources to help academic continuity and mental health wellness.
 
The Big Ten Champions Fund created a digital forum for student-athletes to post questions to coaches and staff, providing technology updates to continue education at home and connecting the strength and conditioning staff to our student-athletes to assess at-home training options.
 
On the last worldwide Giving Tuesday, December 3, 2019, the global giving day generated $2 billion in gifts, just in the United States, and inspired millions of people worldwide to volunteer, perform countless acts of kindness, and donate their voices, time, money and goods.
 
 
For all Rutgers development news, visit rfund.scarletknights.com and follow us on Twitter and Instagram (@R_Fund), and Facebook (www.facebook.com/SupportRFund).
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