FAMU concluded its annual “1887 Strikes” Day of Giving campaign on Friday, raising $471,899 with a 46% increase in total dollars over last year’s effort. But behind that figure lies a more complicated story: a sharp decline in individual donor participation and lingering questions about leadership decisions that have stirred unease among alumni and faculty.
The campaign, which marked the first major fundraising test for FAMU President Marva Johnson since she took office nine months ago, drew contributions from 1,919 donors, 668 fewer donors than last year's 2,587 donors , a drop of more than 25%.
“Total dollars matter, but participation is the true measure of belief in an institution,” said Martin Ellison, a senior consultant at the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE). “When donor counts fall, it often reflects concerns about direction, leadership, or priorities, not just generosity.”
FAMU alumni view Johnson’s presidency as a cascade of failures marked by arrogance, secrecy, and cronyism. From silencing dissent on social media to installing underqualified political allies in key roles, like an athletic director with no experience and a SVP from a collapsing university, her leadership reeks of self-interest and contempt for merit. Her actions suggest a Trumpian playbook: reward loyalty, ignore competence, and dismiss criticism. In just nine months, she has eroded trust, embarrassed the institution, and prioritized political connections over FAMU’s well-being.
Further, the decline in donors comes amid a series of controversial moves by the Johnson administration that has drawn scrutiny from the FAMU community. In February, she attended a Black History Month event at the White House hosted by President Donald Trump, a move that alienated many alumni and faculty who viewed the appearance as politically tone-deaf. Then, in March, she appointed Altony “Tony” Lee as interim chief of staff. Mr. Lee, while continuing to hold serve in his full-time job as associate chancellor of the FL Board of Governors, the state’s higher education oversight body, raising concerns about conflicts of interest and her poor judgement.
Further ruffling feathers, the FAMU Board of Trustees approved a contract amendment in February for Johnson granting her a $5,000 monthly housing allowance ($60,000 a year) and $25,000 in relocation expenses. The justification — that the president’s on-campus residence was under renovation — struck some as curious given that her predecessor, interim president Timothy Beard, lived in the same residence throughout his one-year tenure without reported issue.
It appears, that Johnson has no interest in ever living in the on-campus president's residence.
Critics accuse Johnson, who already earns a base salary of $625,000, of using her position to profit. The pattern has drawn sharp condemnation from alumni and watchdogs alike.
“Johnson and the DeSantis–Mar-a-Lago crowd aren’t even pretending anymore; they’re constantly finding new ways to profit,” said Cynthia Rowe, a 1998 FAMU graduate and former donor who withheld support this year. “This administration is putting perks for themselves over the well-being of students. When you see that level of spending at the top, it makes you question where the money, and the priorities, really lie.”
“Alumni giving isn’t transactional; it’s relational,” said Danielle Owens, a development director at a peer institution. “When trust is damaged, it shows up in the numbers, not always in the total raised, but in how many people choose to opt in.”
As donor participation wanes, the university may be facing a test not of wealth, but of confidence.
1887 Strikes campaigns over the years
- 2026 - $471,899 raised
- 2025 - $322,615.92 raised
- 2024 - $731,494 raised
- 2023 - $686,000 raised
- 2022 - $640,383.59 raised
- 2021 - $349,169 raised
- 2020 - $213,000 raised
No surprise here. FAMU alum don't F with MAGA Marva!
ReplyDeleteRelationships are primary, everything else is derivative. The president needs to understand this, and form positive Relationships with key stakeholders.
ReplyDeleteWhy the picture of her?
ReplyDeletewhat's wrong with it ? Its HER aint it !!!!
DeleteShe did a damn good job for a person who has not yet been at FAMU for a year. Why does every time a woman is at the head of FAMU, people bitch? Could you give the lady a chance? Who makes a million-dollar salary and wants to mess that up? This lady did not come to FAMU to tear it down. A foolish woman tears down her own house; a successful/wise woman builds it up.
ReplyDeleteShe did a damn good job at what? Spending money that FAMU does not have to hype herself up? She has NOT done one thing of substance since she has been in this role and this is coming from a woman. BTW, a foolish woan takes a job that she aKNOWS she is not qualified for nor deserves!
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