URI Men's Crew - Fundraising

Although URI Men's Crew does compete intercollegiately against many other, wealthier, varsity programs, we are technically a club sport and do not receive any support from Athletics. We do receive partial (approximately 30%) funding from the URI Student Senate.

The majority of our operational budget comes from the generosity of our Alumni, Friends, and Parents. Every year we are required to fundraise at least enough to cover the basic operational costs of the rowing program. The following is a rough budget for the 2008-2009 season:

Boathouse Maintenance and Operation (Prop. Taxes, Insurance, Utilities, Repairs): $15,000
Regatta Expenses & Travel(Regatta Fees, Travel Gas, Hotel) : $11,000
Operations (Equipment maintenance, Insurance, Truck payment): $17,000
Coaching Salaries (Salaries, taxes & benefits): $36,000

Total Budget for 2008-2009: $79,000

Please note this does not include any new equipment purchases, or the spring training trip which the athletes finance completely on thier own.

The costs of running this program increase year after year. As the sport becomes more prolific, and demand increases for equipment, materials, services, etc, then those things become more expensive. For example, ten years ago an eights entry at Head of the Charles used to be $120.00. It now costs $400.00 to enter a single eight. That is why we need your continued support if we are to carry on the fantastic traditions that generations of URI oarsmen have embraced over the last forty years.

This year we are intiating the RHODY MILLION CHALLENGE. Our goal is to endow the program to such a degree that our Endowment will grow with the rising costs of running this program, and our yearly fundraising efforts will complement the budget, instead of supporting it.

We are still supporting the "Buy-A-Block" Program. For 2008-2009, every donation of $100 or more will allow you to name a block in the Campanella Rowing Center. Contact Coach Wojtkiewicz for more information.

SUPPORTERS

Thanks to everyone who gave this year, especially our last minute donors. We were able to close FY08 with only a very small deficit.