A record-breaking Giving Tuesday supports Bears’ dreams

Giving Tuesday, which occurs each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving, provides an opportunity for donors to support educational institutions and nonprofits around the world. It’s no surprise that Bear Nation shows up with enthusiasm for Lenoir-Rhyne on this occasion, setting a record donation total in 2024 by raising $352,204 from 378 donors.

The majority of these gifts will go to the Fund for Lenoir Rhyne, the university’s annual fund that provides current-use support for scholarships, academic departments, arts, athletics, campus life, student support and other aspects of the LR experience. This year donors could also designate their donations to directly benefit the Lenoir-Rhyne Food Pantry – a campus service fighting food insecurity among students – reaching the day’s goal of 25 donations earmarked for the food pantry.

The 2024 fundraising total exceeded the 2023 Giving Tuesday total by around $60,000 and more than tripled the 2022 Giving Tuesday total.

Friends and alumni of Lutheran Theological Southern Seminary also came together with support for the seminary’s annual fund, the New Life Fund, as well as several student scholarships, by contributing $16,510 to this year’s Giving Tuesday total. These gifts will directly support seminarians moving to the Hickory, North Carolina campus and attending in the hybrid program.

Stephanie Roberts, director of annual giving, shared “I am so grateful to our Bear Family for coming together on this Giving Tuesday to support our students in such a big way. The outpouring of gifts warmed my heart. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, we can continue to meet our students’ basic needs and provide special opportunities for them. Thank you all!”