Give

Why give? Because the world needs more LR alumni. It needs graduates who are fully prepared to lead and serve in church and society and go out into the world to share their knowledge and gifts with others.

Your support helps us meet the complex and sophisticated needs of our students and our world. Your gifts allow us to remain steadfast in our commitment to provide the highest academic quality, to sustain our Lutheran character, and develop students committed to lives of integrity, honor, and truth.

The University has traditionally relied on the support of individuals who understand that what we do here is unique — people with the LR spirit and loyalty — people like you. Whether you give to pay it forward, show your pride, or invest in our future generations of leaders, your gifts will have an impact on our students today and the many lives they touch in the years to come.

Ways to Give

With the generous financial support of Lenoir-Rhyne alumni, parents, friends, and faculty, attending LR has become a reality for thousands of students. By supporting LR through the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne, you are helping to hone their skills, forge their futures, and truly make a difference in their lives and the world over. Whether you give to pay it forward, show your pride, or invest in our future generations of leaders, know that your continuous contributions are appreciated and invested wisely in our future alumni. Thank you!

ONLINE

By far the easiest way to give. Make a one-time gift to the University.

TELEPHONE

You can also give by contacting us toll-free at 800.361.2704 or speak to a Gifts Officer at 828.328.7321 Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm.

PAYING TRIBUTE

Honor the memory of a loved one, celebrate a friend or faculty member, share in a family celebration, or send wishes to a friend or your favorite professor. When making your gift, simply indicate the person whom you wish to honor. Family members or the honored individual can be notified upon request. It’s a special way to make your gift more meaningful.

CHECK

If you wish, you may make your gift via check, payable to:
Lenoir-Rhyne University
PO Box 7467
Hickory, NC 28603

STOCK TRANSFER

Call us toll-free at 800.361.2704 or speak to a Gifts Officer at 828.328.7321 Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm.

PAYROLL DEDUCTION FOR LR FACULTY & STAFF

Contact Donna Bowman in the Payroll Office at 828.328.7185 to set your automatic donation today. The office hours are Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm.

PLANNED GIVING

Choose the planned gift that is right for you. Options include bequests, wills, trusts, and more. Contact a Major Gifts Officer at 828.328.7431 Monday - Friday from 8 am - 5 pm.

GIFT TYPES/AREAS TO SUPPORT

• University’s Greatest Need: The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne
• Planned Gift
• Endowment/Scholarship Support
• Visiting Writers Series
• Bears Club
• Friends of Music

What is The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne?

Through the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne donors make sure that the University has the resources to train and prepare students for exciting vocations of the 21^st century. At the same time, this Fund allows the University to respond to its ever-changing needs, while maintaining its commitment to preparing students for lives of leadership and service. Support from this fund is primarily directed to student need, scholarships, and financial assistance.

The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne is the cornerstone of all fundraising efforts at the University and is founded on the belief that every generation should support those who follow. Every dollar given through this fund is immediately put to work in support of LR’s students who have a passion to serve and a desire to lead. Remember that a student’s LR experience starts with you and your gifts. Gifts that make every LR student's journey possible.

As a student of Lenoir-Rhyne, I am grateful that you have made a gift to the University. Gifts like yours make our education possible. We hope you know ow much your continued support is APPRECIATED. After all, your gift, combined with others, make attending Lenoir-Rhyne possible." - Stephen Davidson

Why Alumni Giving Matters

The Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne supports every student, professor, program, and department on campus. It provides the flexibility to respond to changing circumstances and to take advantage of new opportunities. It helps to bridge the gap between the actual cost of educating a student and the comprehensive fee. No matter the size – every gift truly counts.

It is our expressed intent to meet the New Life Fund goal of $350,000. These funds are so necessary for LTSS’ day-to-day operation, and every gift, regardless of its size, is gratefully received. When each and every person who believes in the future of LTSS makes a gift, the challenge is made more manageable.

The President’s Society at Lenoir-Rhyne University is composed of individuals, corporations and foundations that generously support the University and its mission with gifts of $1,000 or more per year. Members serve as goodwill ambassadors for the University, encouraging and inspiring alumni and friends to join them in providing exceptional educational opportunities for our students.

At Lenoir-Rhyne, approximately 92% of our students receive financial aid. All gifts to the University ultimately result in more financial aid being available to our students. Your partnership makes it possible to continue offering life-changing opportunities to students. We are grateful for your trust and pledge to be good stewards of your resources.

Established in 1997, the President’s Society recognizes individual, corporate and foundation donors who have made gifts at Associate’s Council, Tower Council, Hacawa Council, Fair Stars Council, and Old Main Council levels.

Members of the President’s Society set the pace for all gifts to the University. They inspire our alumni and friends to join them in supporting the mission of Lenoir-Rhyne. We recognize our charter members and sincerely thank you for your membership in the President’s Society of Lenoir-Rhyne University.

Young Alumni Members of the President's Society
As an LR graduate, you experienced the gifts from President’s Society members. Now, you have the opportunity to give back. If you are an alumni who has graduated in the past 5 years you can become a President’s Society member for only $250. Alumni who graduated 6-10 years ago may be a member for $500. An added benefit comes with graduates who are employed by companies that offer a matching gift program. Please inquire about matching gifts with your company’s human resource department.

Guidelines for Establishing Endowed Funds

1. Named funds for general student scholarships may be established at Lenoir-Rhyne University with a minimum gift of $25,000. Pledges may be fulfilled at the donor’s convenience anytime over a three-year period. An endowment agreement is signed by the donor and the President of the University.
2. The amount of revenue earned by a named fund is determined by the overall earnings of the university’s pooled funds.
3. Normally, earnings are awarded annually as they accrue in accordance with the endowment agreement once the fund reaches the minimum level.
4. Additional gifts may be added to the fund at any time through current or deferred gifts such as will provisions, by the donor or by other friends and family.
5. Recipients for scholarship funds are selected by the office of financial aid using the government approved financial aid information. Academic departments and other resources may be used as appropriate in the selection process.
6. The named fund will be listed in a University publication which provides descriptions and awarding guidelines of all University endowed funds.
7. The recommended time frame for the completion of funding the $25,000 minimum is three years. Funds that are not raised to the $25,000 level within the agreed upon time frame become part of the University’s general endowment.
8. The University provides annual reports to donors of fund performance and/or current status.
9. The University uses an endowment spending rate formula referred to as the “three-year average of market.” This formula is used to calculate the funds released on an annual basis by taking average market value of the endowed fund on May 31 of the previous three years and multiplying it by the university’s spending rate. The spending rate for the university is set by the Finance and Investment Committee of the Board of Trustees on an annual basis. (Yr + Yr+Yr)/3=$ This average multiplied by our spending rate will enable the university to release funds for use by the recipient of this scholarship.

Currently, named funds are available as follows based on Centennial-Renewal campaign objectives:

WHAT IS PHONATHON?

The phonathon is an important link in the annual giving program. Student callers are ambassadors of Lenoir-Rhyne to keep alumni in touch with the University as well as to build relationships and raise money for LRU.

WHY DO WE CALL?

Thank you to all Lenoir-Rhyne University Faculty and Staff

Faculty and staff gifts to Lenoir-Rhyne University have an immeasurable impact on the daily lives of our students. Your generous donations help to bridge the gap between the actual cost of educating a student and the comprehensive fee. Each gift - no matter the amount - helps make it possible for the University to continue to offer students quality higher education opportunities and one-of-a-kind experiences that extend well beyond the classroom. Thank you for your commitment, dedication, and all you do to make LRU a great place to live, work and learn.

Lenoir-Rhyne offers faculty and staff the opportunity to be a member of the President’s Society through a matching gift. If a member of the faculty or staff give $500 in a fiscal year, the University will match the remaining $500. If you would like to contribute using payroll deduction, please contact the LR Business Office.

Gift Clubs:

The Friends of Music, Friends of the Rudisill Library, and Visiting Writers Series bring nationally and internationally renowned speakers, authors, artists, and musicians to campus to enhance the education of our students and the lives of our community members. Through Story, Song and Sound, these donor-supported programs build interest in literature and the arts at Lenoir-Rhyne.

Your support helps make it possible to offer students artistic, scholarly, and musically engaging opportunities through the music program. Likewise, gifts to the Visiting Writers Series help bring internationally renowned writers to campus. Support for the library encourages scholarship by stimulating intellectual inquiry and interest in the visual arts.

We invite you to join us as a partner in this endeavor with a gift to the Friends of Music, Friends of the Rudisill Library, or the Visiting Writers Series. The majority of events are free of charge and open to the public.

The Walk of Honor's path begins at The Charge across from Shuford Memorial Gymnasium and extends in the direction toward the statue of Martin Luther and Grace Chapel. Each brick commemorates and celebrates the lives of individuals who have been impacted through their experiences with LRU. As alumni return to campus each year, the Walk of Honor serves as a place for them to join in conversation and reflect on the meaning and significance LRU has had on their lives. The bricks serve as a permanent reminder of how LRU has helped shape the future of students for over 125 years.

For questions or to order a brick, contact Assistant Director of Advancement Relations Jayne Abernethy.

Class of 1968, your reunion is fast approaching. We want to commemorate this special anniversary with a strong showing of support. So far, 73 classmates, or 20 percent, have made a gift for a total of $127,639. The goal is to have 100 percent class participation and raise $150,000. All reunion committee members have made leadership gifts, and they challenge their classmates to do the same. Gifts of any amount are appreciated and help us reach the class goal. Your class can make history by presenting the largest class gift ever, and, more importantly, your support will provide a transformative educational experience for another generation of Bears. Class of ’68, you can do it!

Join us as your class gift is presented to your beloved alma mater on Saturday, April 21, at the Golden Bears/Bears For Life luncheon. Let’s celebrate ’68 through giving back and helping our fellow Bears. Visit lr.edu/IGive2LRU or call 828.328.7361 to make a gift today. The committee is grateful for your support.

50th Class Reunion Gift Totals

The Bears Club is the official fundraising arm of Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics. Founded in 1946, the foundation’s primary purpose is to support the scholarship and program costs for men’s and women’s intercollegiate athletic teams at Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bears Club coordinates the annual athletic fundraising program as well as capital and endowment gifts for Lenoir-Rhyne Bears Athletics.

Over 700 alumni, numerous corporations, parents, and friends have joined the foundation; and as members of the Bears Club, they have collectively provided crucial support to each of the university’s 22 intercollegiate teams.

One of the most important benefits of being a donor to the Bears Club is the pride and satisfaction that goes along with helping to provide a quality education for a young man or woman how has chosen to attend and to compete at Lenoir-Rhyne University. Please make a commitment to be a part of this future minded cause. Your generosity helps to continue to grow the rich history and tradition of Lenoir-Rhyne University Athletics.

Learn more about giving to the Bears Club and specific membership levels.

As a Lenoir-Rhyne supporter, you have the opportunity to become a part of the Loyal Bears Society, which recognizes and honors loyal contributors to Lenoir-Rhyne University. Members of the Loyal Bears Society are a faithful community of donors with a deep commitment to the long legacy of the University. Your investment strengthens the Fund for Lenoir-Rhyne which supports every student, faculty member, and program at the University and enables Lenoir-Rhyne to provide a transformative educational experience. We will celebrate being “Loyal for Life” on Friday evening of Alumni Weekend.

Participation
Becoming a member of LRU’s Loyal Bears Society is easy. When you give for three consecutive years, you are recognized as a member of the Loyal Bears Society. The more years you commit to giving, the greater the impact your gifts have. It’s easy to become a member; just make a gift of any amount for at least three consecutive fiscal years (June 1 - May 31) or join today by making a three-year pledge.

We already have more than 1,700 alumni and friends who are Loyal Bears. Will you join the ranks for our most loyal donors? Join today.

• Annual “Loyal Bear” magnet
• Special recognition event during Alumni Weekend. Save the date for this year’s event on Friday, March 30, 2019.