Kamal Gray of The Roots was one of three donors who presented a check for $25,000 to Neumann University Oct. 18.

Gray is the keyboard player for the Grammy Award-winning hip-hop group and house band for The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The funds will be used for scholarships to support Neumann students who need financial assistance.

The gift comes from Gray; Michael Harris, president and CEO of Best Sports Consultants; and Jahri Evans, a former NFL player and Super Bowl winner with the New Orleans Saints.

The three selected Neumann University to receive their gift because it is one of five American colleges participating in the launch of SponsoredScholar, a program that empowers college students to initiate personalized fundraising campaigns to help pay for tuition.

The platform provides guidance for students to tell their stories, customize their crowdfunding audiences, and securely route donations directly to the college. Neumann is the only SponsoredScholar university in the Philadelphia area. The three donors are natives of the city.

According to Eileen Tucker, Neumann University director of financial assistance, the program is off to a good start.

“Several students have already had their campaigns fully funded,” she said. “One student raised nearly $800 in less than a weekend, in $25 increments. We don’t want students to consider leaving school because of relatively small unpaid balances. This program provides a new way for students to get the help they need and continue working toward a degree.”

Read more about Neumann University here. 

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