Elon donors set new fundraising records 

Alumni, parents and friends invest in scholarships and other university priorities as part of the Elon LEADS Campaign.

Elon has closed the books on another record fiscal year, thanks to its growing community of donors.

Through Elon LEADS, the most ambitious campaign in Elon's history, donors will empower students to become leaders in their communities and in the world.   
The last fiscal year also brought the historic public launch of Elon LEADS: Our University Campaign. Through the campaign, donors will invest $250 million in new resources that will propel the university to new heights.

During the 2018-19 fiscal year, donors made a direct impact on many parts of Elon’s campus. Many gifts supported the four key priorities of the Elon LEADS Campaign:

  • Scholarships for graduates the world needs
  • Access to engaged learning opportunities
  • Support for faculty and staff mentors who matter
  • Investing in Elon’s iconic learning environment

Donors increased their impact at Elon in 2018-19, giving back to the university in record numbers. Their support has expanded access to an Elon education and created additional opportunities for students.
​“So many people love Elon and want to support the great things happening on campus,” said John H. Barnhill ’92, associate vice president for university advancement and director of campaign operations. “Their support is the ultimate vote of confidence in Elon.”

Elon’s generous community of donors achieved the following highlights from June 1, 2018, to May 31, 2019:

Since the campaign began, more than 23,000 donors have raised $171 million toward the campaign’s $250 million goal. All gifts to the university count in the campaign, regardless of size or designation.

Alumni giving grew to a record 26 percent, with nearly 8,000 alumni donors making a gift to their alma mater. The alumni giving rate has increased by 10 points in the last decade. It is based on how many​alumni make gifts of any size for the year, and it’s a key factor in Elon’s national rankings.

The number of alumni who support Elon continues to grow every year, with the total number of alumni donors increasing from 3,814 in 2009-10 to 7,994 in the most recent fiscal year.
More than 3,300 parents and grandparents made gifts to the university.

Faculty and staff giving climbed two percentage points to reach 80 percent, exceeding all previous records. Elon’s faculty and staff giving rate is among the highest in the nation.

More than 780 members of the Class of 2019 took part in the Elon tradition of making their senior class gift, breaking the record for the number of senior donors who made their gift. The Class of 2019 ended the year with 56 percent participation – giving about $24,000 back to Elon.



Alumni participation is an important factor in Elon’s U.S. News and World Report ranking and has grown from 16 percent in 2009-10 to a record 26 percent in 2018-19.

Total support for Elon’s endowment, capital projects and annual funds​reached close to $24 million.

​Thank you to Elon alumni, parents, friends and students who gave back to the university during the 18-19 fiscal year. Your generosity makes a difference.