Day of Giving Draws Major Gift for Florida Tech’s Scott Center

Adam Lowenstein November 30, 2018

More Than 1,500 Alumni Donate
During 24-Hour Event

MELBOURNE, FLA. — Successful Brevard County real estate developer Fred Sutton pledged $100,000 for Florida Tech’s Scott Center for Autism Treatment and hundreds of alumni joined him in opening their wallets and their hearts as the university’s 4^th annual Day of Giving brought in nearly $340,000, including challenge matches, during its 24-hour run Tuesday.

More than 1,565 donors from 53 countries pledged during the fundraising event – and additional donations are still coming in. Florida Tech’s Day of Giving is held in conjunction with the international effort known as Giving Tuesday, which was introduced in the United States in 2012. Following Black Friday and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday is a day of international philanthropy benefiting non-profit organizations.

Powered by the gift from Sutton, the Scott Center was the leading recipient at Florida Tech with more than $110,000 donated. Sutton is a managing partner at Palm Bay-based Sutton Properties, which he has grown to be one of the largest family-owned real-estate development firms in Brevard County.

The Panther Fund, which helps support scholarships, innovative programs and more, generated $95,130 in gifts. Other recipients included the university’s four colleges, Evans Library, WFIT FM-89.5, University Museums and weVENTURE.

The importance of participation goes beyond any particular amount of money raised. No matter the size of individual donations, the level of alumni participation overall is a key factor in how organizations, including the influential ranking publication U.S. News and World Report, perceive the success of a university and how they ultimately rank it.

“Panther pride runs deep and knows no border, and we are thrilled with how our alumni from the U.S. and around the world responded to this challenge,” said Bino Campanini, vice president of alumni affairs. “They are rightfully proud of their alma mater, and their generosity reflected that.”

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