Giving Societies
Elon values the support from all its benefactors, who are listed on Elon’s Honor Roll of Donors. The university also has a variety of giving clubs and societies that recognize donors who make annual, planned and lifetime cumulative gifts to the university. These recognition groups celebrate the generosity of alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends who make gifts each year to support university operations and whose lifelong commitments help secure Elon’s future. Elon’s exceptional programs and opportunities would not be possible without the loyal support of these benefactors.
To learn more about these societies, contact the donor relations team.
Cumulative Giving Societies
Numen Lumen Society
The university’s premier cumulative giving society, the Numen Lumen Society, recognizes benefactors whose cash gifts to Elon equal $1 million or more. The Latin words “numen” and “lumen,” which mean “spiritual light” and “intellectual light,” signify the highest purposes of an Elon education.
Palladian Society
“Palladian” is derived from Latin and means “pertaining to wisdom, knowledge, or study.” Members of the Palladian Society have made cumulative lifetime cash gifts to Elon totaling between $500,000 and $999,999.
Aesculus Society
“Aesculus” is an ancient Latin term for “tallest oak.” Members of the Aesculus Society have made cumulative lifetime cash gifts to Elon totaling between $100,000 and $499,999.
Annual Giving Societies & Clubs
The Elon Society
The Elon Society is the university’s premier annual giving recognition society and includes all donors who give $1,500 or more each year for any purpose. Alumni who graduated within the past 10 years may join The Elon Society at special rates.
Learn more about The Elon Society
The 1889 Society
The 1889 Society is an annual giving society that recognizes Elon donors for their consistent support of the university. Donors become a part of the 1889 Society by making a gift to Elon for two consecutive years, and remain 1889 Society donors by supporting Elon every fiscal year.
Learn more about the 1889 Society
Phoenix Club IMPACT Circle
The IMPACT Circle is the premier donor recognition group for the Phoenix Club and Elon athletics. Members of the IMPACT Circle include donors who make annual contributions of $5,000 or more to athletics or have made cumulative gifts of $1 million or more exclusively designated for annual, endowment and capital athletics purposes.
Learn more about the Phoenix Club IMPACT Circle
Grandparent Leadership Society
Grandparents of current students and Elon alumni become part of the Grandparent Leadership Society by contributing $5,000 or more annually to the Parents & Grandparents Fund or other Elon operating funds, by making a planned gift valued at $25,000 or more, or by having made cumulative gifts totaling $25,000 or more to the university.
Learn more about the Grandparent Leadership Society
Order of the Oak
The Order of the Oak recognizes donors who, through their planned gifts such as bequests, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, pooled income funds and life insurance policies, are helping to build a vital pipeline of resources to secure Elon’s future.