Our Story
Saving Limestone, Inc. is a nonprofit dedicated to saving Limestone University. Our unwavering coalition of concerned alumni, students, educators, and community members is united in our urgent mission to ensure the survival of the institution.
In April 2025, university leadership announced the school would close after the spring semester due to financial concerns. Our team arose as a response to this shocking announcement, which directly affects 500 staff members and 1,750 students.
Since then, our team has worked tirelessly to engage the community, and we are seeing real results. With every volunteer gained and every donation received, our mission to preserve Limestone's legacy gains momentum.
Why Limestone?
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Over 30% of our on-campus students are first-generation college students.
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Over 40% of our students identify as Black or African American.
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Limestone is recognized as a Predominantly Black Institution
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44% of our undergraduate students come from low income backgrounds
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at or below 150% of the federal poverty line
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Limestone is designated as a Gold-Level Military Friendly School.
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We are proud supporters of our Nation's military through discounted tuition rates for active-duty service personnel and their spouses
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Limestone provides an estimated $150 million annual impact on Cherokee County. Housing and local businesses are preparing for significant financial losses in the coming months and years.
FAQs
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Donate to the Saving Limestone Fund, volunteer on a committee, or share our story on social media. We welcome and appreciate any support!
How can I help?
Several groups have reportedly submitted proposals to the USDA with various interests in the use of the property. Saving Limestone is committed to exploring and supporting all feasible options that are in the best interests of Limestone University.
We heard there are groups interested in purchasing Limestone. How does this fit into the Saving Limestone mission?
Limestone’s closure directly impacts nearly 500 employees and 1,750 students, with a devastating effect on the local community. Limestone provides an estimated $150 million annual impact on Cherokee County, with housing and local businesses preparing for significant financial losses in the coming months and years. THIS DOES NOT HAVE TO HAPPEN.
How many people are affected by the closure?
Saving Limestone, Inc. is a nonprofit organization comprised of alumni, community supporters, and former students, faculty, staff, and administrators dedicated to ensuring the survival of the University. The organization was established following an April 2025 announcement by Limestone University leadership that the school would close after the spring semester due to financial concerns. The closure was unexpected and swift, leaving the true Limestone Community no time or opportunity to provide assistance.
What is Saving Limestone?
If the previous leadership felt closing the school was the only option, how can Saving Limestone reopen it and ensure sustainability?
We believe not all options were exhausted before the current Limestone Board of Trustees and Administration decided to close the school. We have a detailed, program by program financial analysis and corresponding plan that when implemented, will decrease expenses in a collaborative way and allow the University to be self-sustaining. This plan focuses on faculty and administrative involvement, program restructuring, and personnel reductions. It will not be easy, but it is necessary to bring finances back in balance. In addition to operational adjustments, we must also rebuild the endowment. While traditional fundraising is important, we will also focus heavily on teaming with corporations to create mutually beneficial partnerships.
