Recognition Societies
The Brown and White Society
Recognizing those who make an unrestricted gift of $1,000 or more through the Lehigh Fund.
Alumni love for their alma mater at Lehigh is a tradition colored brown and white. Two years after Lehigh University opened its doors in 1865, students began proudly identifying brown and white as the official school colors.
In 1927, Lehigh formed the Lehigh University Alumni Fund. The goal was simple: to encourage every alumnus to give what they could, every year, as the institution was being built, stone by stone.
Nearly 100 years later, that unwavering support is just as critical to Lehigh’s success.
The Brown and White Society recognizes donors whose cumulative unrestricted giving to the Lehigh Fund in a fiscal year is $1,000 or more. This vital, unrestricted support empowers the university to meet Lehigh’s most pressing needs.
The Lehigh Fund opens doors to opportunity
Every college and university raises unrestricted funds. In many ways, they are the most valuable resource an institution can have because they are flexible and can be used immediately to support the needs that are deemed the greatest at that time.
Your unrestricted gift to the Lehigh Fund says “I believe in Lehigh’s mission and trust Lehigh to use my donation in a way that makes an impact.”
So where does the money go?
Lehigh Fund gifts allow the university to support the most pressing needs of the university. Right now, that is financial aid and scholarships to recruit and retain the best and brightest students from around the globe and cement our reputation as a world-class university.
It’s not a coincidence that one of Lehigh’s iconic doors was chosen to represent the Brown and White Society. Gifts to the Lehigh Fund support financial aid and scholarships and help open doors for thousands of Lehigh students every year!
Lehigh Fund gifts are different from many others because they can be used immediately. With 50% of today’s Lehigh students relying on financial assistance, Lehigh Fund support can make the difference for so many to be able to attend Lehigh and access life-changing opportunities on campus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Make unrestricted gifts to the Lehigh Fund of cash or appreciated securities totaling $1,000 or more during the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30).
You can make a gift of $1,000 or more at any time in the way that best suits you.
- You can make an online gift.
- Send a check by mail to:
Lehigh University Office of Development and Alumni Relations
Attn: Gift Processing
306 South New Street, Suite 500
Bethlehem, PA 18015-1652 - Call (866) 758-2586 Monday through Thursday, 12 p.m. to 9 p.m., or Friday, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Please call the Office of Finance and Administration at (610) 758-3179 for wire transfer guidance.
- You can donate appreciated securities or mutual funds you have held more than one year, you can reduce, or even eliminate, your federal capital gains taxes on the transfer. You may also be entitled to a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the fair market value of the securities at the time of the transfer. Visit the Gift of Appreciated Securities webpage for more information.
Absolutely. We rely on our alumni and friends to use every possible method to maximize their giving. Visit our Matching Gifts webpage to learn if your organization participates in matching philanthropic gifts.
Lehigh automatically grants recognition to spouses. If you have questions, please contact Roma Narkhede at (610) 758-2822 or email ron222@lehigh.edu.
We are committed to honoring your recognition preference. You may designate your giving as public or anonymous, or you may indicate that some gifts are anonymous and others are public.
Gifts are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Absolutely. Our staff are happy to answer your questions. Simply call (610) 758-3137 or email inlf@lehigh.edu and allow a little time for a response. We look forward to speaking with you.
Check out our loyalty, leadership, lifetime, and legacy recognition programs to discover a variety of options to further your philanthropic journey with Lehigh University.