NC Synod surpasses fundraising challenge for ELCA World Hunger

What started as a conversation led to multiplying generosity among members of the North Carolina Synod.

In February 2017, a North Carolina donor who asked to remain anonymous made a $50,000 donation to ELCA World Hunger, a ministry of the ELCA which works in more than 60 countries around the world on solutions to end hunger and poverty.

The generosity didn’t end there, though; the donor wanted that gift to spur more giving, and after conversations between Bishop Tim Smith and ELCA World Hunger staff, it was decided that this gift could be used to start a challenge to the whole synod.

From April through June 2017, the NC Synod was challenged to raise another $50,000 to double that gift. The results were impressive. In three months, the synod raised $101,622 for ELCA World Hunger—more than doubling the challenge! The donor hoped the gift would leverage more generosity within the synod, and the results proved so. This represents 87 percent growth in giving from the NC Synod to ELCA World Hunger over the same three months in 2016.

“The donor hoped this gift would leverage more generosity within the synod, and I think it is safe to say the synod was motivated and encouraged!” said Emily Dubay, associate director of philanthropy, ELCA World Hunger and Disaster Appeal. “Just think of the lives that will be positively impacted by this display of generosity.”

The gifts will be used to support the work of ELCA World Hunger, which is designed to get at the root causes of hunger and poverty. Programs range from health clinics to microloans, feeding refugee families to warm meals at a soup kitchen—all working toward a just world where all are fed. To learn more and find statistics, maps, stories and more about the work of this ministry, visit the ELCA World Hunger webpage or ELCA World Hunger on Facebook. For educational and fundraising resources for your congregation, visit the ELCA World Hunger resources page.