Thanks to 177 generous donors, Concordia Seminary, St. Louis raised $57,414 on Giving Tuesday, Nov. 27, surpassing the Seminary’s $50,000 goal and setting a new Giving Tuesday campaign record.
 
The amount raised topped last year’s total of $21,010 by 173 percent and is the most the Seminary has raised on Giving Tuesday in the four years it has participated in the international day of philanthropy.
 
This year donations were matched, dollar for dollar up to $25,000, thanks to a generous contributor. The raised funds benefit student aid, supporting the Seminary’s mission to prepare the church’s future pastors, deaconesses, missionaries and church leaders.

“On behalf of all of us at the Seminary, thank you!” said Vicki Biggs, senior vice president of Seminary Advancement. “We are humbled by the generosity of so many friends who love our students and vigorously support our mission. These gifts will help our students receive the faithful teaching and preparation they need for a lifetime of ministry. With all glory to God, we can’t say this enough: Thank you!”
 
The Seminary’s Giving Tuesday campaign encouraged donors to use #PrepareAPastor, #PrepareADeaconess and #GivingTuesday on social media to help spread the word about the campaign.
 
On the Seminary campus, students, faculty and staff were encouraged to wear Giving Tuesday T-shirts to encourage the support of friends, family members and colleagues. The 2018 campaign also marked the first time that donors were able to text donations to the Seminary.
 
Now in its seventh year, Giving Tuesday is an international day of giving that focuses on philanthropy instead of the consumerism of the post-Thanksgiving shopping season.
 
The next Giving Tuesday will be Dec. 3, 2019.
 
Watch a video of students thanking Giving Tuesday donors here.
 
“On behalf of all students at Concordia Seminary, I want to give thanks for you and all of the wonderful, generous gifts you provided for us on this campus,” said Student Association President Austin Wellhousen. "Because of your prayers and your generosity, you’ve given us a chance to enjoy faithful teaching and preparation for a lifetime of ministry. Your future pastors, deaconesses and church workers are certainly going to be well-equipped for the future of ministry that God has planned because of your time and effort."

For those who still wish to give to the Seminary during this holiday season, call 800-822-5287, write to advancement@csl.edu or visit www.csl.edu/give.

About Concordia Seminary

Concordia Seminary, St. Louis provides Gospel-centered graduate-level theological education for pastors, missionaries, deaconesses, scholars and other leaders in the name of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). To learn more, visit www.csl.edu.