The Jeffery Hazell ’83 “Count Me In” Participation Challenge is a fundraising challenge geared towards the Colleges on campus and offers a $50,000 reward for the college with the highest participation rate

University of New Haven Board of Governors member Jeffery Hazell has posed a challenge to the University: which of the five colleges can raise the most money for their schools by Homecoming Weekend? And the prize for the winning college is steep—$50,000, which the deans of the victorious college can use on whatever they’d like within their school.

The challenge, named “The Jeffery Hazell ’83 “Count Me In” Participation Challenge,” was created by Hazell to “provide a great way to reward the College that best motivates its alumni and friends to participate and give back to their alma mater,” he said. The fundraising challenge, which was launched internally the week of Sept. 7 and officially sent to University alumni on Tuesday, Sept. 15, ends on Homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 24.

The challenge is based off the number of participants rather than the amount donated. “It’s all about the number of donors showing their support for a particular college, not the dollars,” said Marya Neary, director of annual giving.

Hazell, who is directly affiliated with both the Hazell Nut Café located in Maxcy Hall and Jeffery’s Fusion Restaurant found in Harugari Hall, has been a long time benefactor of the University of New Haven’s hospitality and tourism management program and UNH athletics.

According to Neary, Hazell, an alumnus of the University himself, loves UNH and enjoys supporting the students.

“A gift – of any amount – is a vote for that College,” said Neary. “Regardless of which one wins the Challenge, your generosity will benefit the College you choose and have an immediate impact on our students.”

Even the Colleges who don’t win the challenge and the end prize of $50,000 still benefit from this challenge, as each college keeps the donations that have been made throughout the duration of the challenge.

The minimum online donation is $5, and Neary reminds everyone that all donations are considered equal. “That $5 counts equally against the $1,000.” Anyone can donate, including current undergraduate and graduate students, alumni, parents, faculty and staff.

“It’s not what you give, but that you give,” said Neary. “That’s what matters.”

Supporters are encouraged to make their donation online on the university’s crowd funding site (https://makeithappen.newhaven.edu/). Online supporters will be recognized immediately on the site’s Honor Roll of Donors.

Donations of any amount can be made by check (and sent interoffice to the Office of Advancement in Bergami Hall) or by phone by calling Neary at (203) 931-2940.

The Make It Happen website features a running total for each college where anyone can check on the progress that the Colleges have been making.

The Colleges include the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Business; Tagliatela College of Engineering, Lyme Academy College of Fine Arts; and the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Science.

“[The challenge] really showcases the UNH spirit,” Neary said.