Lehman College announced today several new institutional giving partners in The Campaign for Lehman College, a fundraising initiative the College launched in March that has been providing funding to support students affected by food and housing security, scholarships and general operating support to sustain services and to meet emergencies as they arise during the coronavirus pandemic.

Robin Hood, The Seidenberg Family Foundation, Inc., and two anonymous foundation donors have raised a collective $480,000 for the campaign. In addition, a faculty- and staff-led initiative, Lehman Cares, has raised $55,000 for student emergencies and scholarships. Staff began to distribute the student emergencies funds immediately, but with more than 500 applications for $500 microgrants requested so far, need has quickly outpaced demand.

Lehman is avidly seeking additional donors and partners, with the goal of raising at least $1 million to support students with urgent needs as the pandemic and its economic effects continue to unfold. 

“When the coronavirus hit New York City, the Lehman College community immediately understood the pandemic could lead to disaster for many of its students, most of whom live in the under-resourced Bronx, where the median income is $30,000 a year and health outcomes are consistently the worst in the state,” said President Daniel Lemons. “The Campaign for Lehman College, with a goal of raising $1 million, seeks support for students who need our help now and to expand the scholarship pool to support students through the summer and fall.” 

The New York City poverty-fighting nonprofit Robin Hood’s $150,000 donation will benefit students who are ineligible to receive CARES Act funding from the federal government—specifically, undocumented and international students.

"At Robin Hood we are dedicated to finding ways to support those disproportionately affected and left behind by the effects of the COVID-19 crisis, including those left out of the federal responses like the DREAMers enrolled at Lehman College," said Wes Moore, CEO of Robin Hood. "Education is critical to mobility from poverty, and we are proud to stand alongside Lehman College to help these remarkable students who are working hard to build better lives for themselves and their families."

Ivan G. and Phyllis A. Seidenberg, both Lehman College alumni, committed $25,000 to The Campaign for Lehman College through The Seidenberg Family Foundation, Inc.

"We are very appreciative of Lehman College and all the participants in The Campaign for Lehman College initiative, a program that is designed to support students during this difficult time,” said Lisa Agdern, executive director of The Seidenberg Family Foundation, Inc. “It is our hope that our gift will not only help them meet basic living needs amidst the challenges of the current environment, but to be able to continue on with their education and create opportunities for themselves and future generations."

Two additional donors, whose gifts total $225,000, wish to remain anonymous.

We are tremendously grateful for the support of donors to the Campaign thus far and are working to ensure all donations are distributed in the most expeditious way as our students need us to respond as fast as possible,” said Vice President of Institutional Advancement Susan E. Ebersole. “Lehman has a vast network of alumni and friends numbering more than 90,000 who we will be reaching out to for their generous support.”

To contribute to The Campaign for Lehman College, please visit lehman.edu/campaignforlehman.