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Planned Giving

The Gift that Keeps on Giving

Fordham Law’s FORWARD campaign continues to raise the philanthropic support needed to enhance students’ experiences, education, and engagement. Thanks to the Fordham Law community’s future-focused philanthropy, students—current and yet to come—are realizing the transformative potential of a legal education.

By Erin DeGregorio

Brian J. McCarthy headshot
Brian J. McCarthy ’78, co-chair of the FORWARD campaign, has a century-old history with Fordham that goes back three generations. His father, Maurice J. McCarthy Jr., was a graduate of Fordham College (1932) and the Law School (1935), and his grandfather was a leader on campus—teaching at the College and coaching the College’s football and track teams in the early 1900s. Now, McCarthy wants to extend the familial legacy in his own way.
Ralph Craviso headshot
When Ralph Craviso, FCRH ’69, LAW ’73, attended a Law School function prior to the pandemic, one line from a speech by Dean Matthew Diller resonated with him: “We teach people how to think like lawyers.”

“When I look at my career, I did not go into a law firm,” said Craviso, “[but] the gift Fordham Law gave me—to think like a lawyer—is with me in everything I do.”

Brian J. McCarthy headshot
Brian J. McCarthy ’78, co-chair of the FORWARD campaign, has a century-old history with Fordham that goes back three generations. His father, Maurice J. McCarthy Jr., was a graduate of Fordham College (1932) and the Law School (1935), and his grandfather was a leader on campus—teaching at the College and coaching the College’s football and track teams in the early 1900s. Now, McCarthy wants to extend the familial legacy in his own way.

For the past 39 years and counting, McCarthy has proudly waved the Fordham Law flag on the West Coast through Fordham Law Alumni Association–related events, attending functions as both president of the Los Angeles chapter and as an active alumnus both before and after his presidency. When the Law School celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2005, he decided to step up his commitment to the institution.

“I always thought it was important to give back in a number of different ways and made various financial gifts and pledges over the years, but I wanted to increase my involvement,” McCarthy said. “I decided it was time to consider not just a cash gift, but to—really, in many ways—cement my appreciation for the Law School through a legacy gift in my will.

“Any contribution that can be long-lasting is, I believe, important to the Law School,” he added.

“I decided it was time to consider not just a cash gift, but to cement my appreciation for the Law School through a legacy gift in my will.”
Brian J. McCarthy ’78
Ralph Craviso headshot
When Ralph Craviso, FCRH ’69, LAW ’73, attended a Law School function prior to the pandemic, one line from a speech by Dean Matthew Diller resonated with him: “We teach people how to think like lawyers.”

“When I look at my career, I did not go into a law firm,” said Craviso, “[but] the gift Fordham Law gave me—to think like a lawyer—is with me in everything I do.”

Craviso, principal of Craviso & Associates, a management consulting firm concentrating on the nonprofit sector, previously served as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn and in various officer positions at Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Lucent Technologies. He says he owes everything to the Law School, which gave him the “wings” to succeed.

“That’s a legacy I feel I need to pay back, and there’s no better way to do it than through a scholarship, so other people have the same opportunity to go through that experience,” he said.

Craviso has created the Ralph Craviso Endowed Scholarship through his planned gift, which he believes will help students develop their talents and reach their potential during their law school careers.

For the past 39 years and counting, McCarthy has proudly waved the Fordham Law flag on the West Coast through Fordham Law Alumni Association–related events, attending functions as both president of the Los Angeles chapter and as an active alumnus both before and after his presidency. When the Law School celebrated its centennial anniversary in 2005, he decided to step up his commitment to the institution.
Craviso, principal of Craviso & Associates, a management consulting firm concentrating on the nonprofit sector, previously served as an assistant district attorney in Brooklyn and in various officer positions at Continental Airlines, American Airlines, and Lucent Technologies. He says he owes everything to the Law School, which gave him the “wings” to succeed.
“I decided it was time to consider not just a cash gift, but to cement my appreciation for the Law School through a legacy gift in my will.”
Brian J. McCarthy ’78
“I always thought it was important to give back in a number of different ways and made various financial gifts and pledges over the years, but I wanted to increase my involvement,” McCarthy said. “I decided it was time to consider not just a cash gift, but to—really, in many ways—cement my appreciation for the Law School through a legacy gift in my will.

“Any contribution that can be long-lasting is, I believe, important to the Law School,” he added.

“That’s a legacy I feel I need to pay back, and there’s no better way to do it than through a scholarship, so other people have the same opportunity to go through that experience,” he said.

Craviso has created the Ralph Craviso Endowed Scholarship through his planned gift, which he believes will help students develop their talents and reach their potential during their law school careers.

TO LEARN MORE about the Law School’s planned giving options, please contact Nancy Totino, director of development, at ntotino@fordham.edu or 212-636-6993.
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