The Lehigh Fund surpassed the goal for its Lean Into Lehigh matching gift campaign, raising $264,591 from 102 donors.
The campaign matched any gift, dollar for dollar, up to $250,000 made between April 20-June 22, 2026, in support of unrestricted funding for the university’s greatest need: financial aid and scholarships.
More than 50% of students receive some form of financial aid, totaling $170 million in 2025, making it the university’s greatest need in order to enroll top talent from the deep undergraduate applicant pool.
The Lehigh Fund received a generous $1 million challenge gift from an anonymous family to support a four-year matching gift campaign, inviting passionate, consistent, and new donors to invest in all that the Lehigh experience makes possible for students.
A special emphasis was placed on leadership gifts between $1,000 and $10,000, whether increasing a current-year gift, making a first-time gift, or renewing an annual commitment.
In its first year, Lean Into Lehigh achieved its mission, inspiring donors to make gifts ranging from modest amounts to five figures and saw participation from loyal Lehigh Fund donors as well as from those who recently renewed their support to the university.
“We offered supporters a chance to open doors for Lehigh students, and, without fail, they rose to the occasion,” says President Joseph J. Helble ’82. “It resoundingly illustrates their commitment to the Lehigh experience. They understand the difference it has made in their lives, personally and professionally, and are committed to help students share in that experience.”
The university continues to prioritize financial aid because students are clearly interested in a Lehigh education. The institution received a record 20,447 applications in 2026, the largest applicant pool in the university’s history.
In the Class of 2029, 20% of students are first generation, 21% are Pell Grant recipients, and more than 200 are recipients of the Lehigh Commitment, which ensures students coming from families with a household income of less than $75,000 a year will pay nothing in tuition.
“Lean Into Lehigh helps fulfill the dream of calling South Mountain home for students who rely on financial aid,” says Carol Packard, vice president, Development and Alumni Relations. “That’s why the GO Beyond campaign has emphasized financial aid and scholarships and helped endow 423 scholarships since its launch to make those dreams a reality.”
If you are interested in helping support this mission, you can make a gift at give.lu/lehighfund.
