WACO, Texas — Baylor University has raised $1.5 billion through its Give Light comprehensive philanthropic campaign, announced the university, far surpassing its goal of $1.1 billion and making it the most successful comprehensive fundraising campaign in university history.
Baylor reported $166 million in total fundraising for fiscal year 2024, which ended on May 31, making it one of the top five highest fundraising years in Baylor history. According to the university, all five of the top fundraising years have been part of the Give Light campaign.
Baylor stated over 101,000 alumni, parents, friends and institutions donated towards the campaign, which spanned over 10 years.
“I am grateful for the more than 100,000 members of our Baylor community who have given generously through the Give Light campaign to help ensure Baylor University continues to have a distinct position and voice in higher education,” Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D., said. “The world needs a Baylor – this unifying truth is resoundingly echoed through the generosity of our Baylor Family. Together, we have answered the call of support from this institution, and together we will continue to build this bright future so the world will see Christ through the impact of Baylor University.”
Baylor said its priority areas are:
- Endowment: $625 million pledged and given, resulting in the establishment of 873 endowed scholarships, 330 endowed funds and 48 endowed faculty positions
- Expendable or Current Gifts: More than $600 million
- Capital Projects: $285 million pledged and given toward capital improvements.
Baylor said 54.8% of giving to Give Light was from alumni, 10.4% from "friends of the university", 9% from parents and 25.8% through institutions, grant-awarding foundations and other corporate gifts and matches.
Baylor publicly launched the Give Light campaign in 2018 with the intent of supporting Baylor's strategic plan, Illuminate. A silent phase that began in January 2014 raised nearly half the goal, and was connected to the strategic vision Pro Futuris, said the university.
One major gift that came as part of the campaign was a $100 million gift from Paul and Alejandra Foster of El Paso, said Baylor. The gift is the current largest gift in the university's 179-year history, and helped to create the Foster Academic Challenge that increased the number of endowed faculty chairs and provided the lead investment for the new home of Baylor Basketball, the Paul and Alejandra Foster Pavilion.
Baylor said the endowed resources received through the campaign funded endowed chairs, scholarships, research funds and more across all 11 Schools and Colleges, which the university said will support Baylor Bears for "generations to come".
Baylor said the campaign helped them grow from five endowed chairs to 28, supporting the research needs and salary needs of a position. In total, Baylor said 48 endowed faculty positions have been created at the university to recruit and retain leading faculty.
The campaign also helped to create 873 endowed scholarships for students, said Baylor, and raised over $300 million for expendable funds for things like research and mission trips to emergency funds. $101 million will reportedly go towards supporting research activities by students, faculty and staff.
$456 million was reportedly given for Student Life and Baylor Athletics, ranging from Baylor Bear Foundation scholarships to the Bear Habitat program to the Paul L. Foster Success Center. $285 million was reportedly given to support capital projects.
The public launch of the campaign began with the announcement of a lead gift from the late Mark Hurd and his wife Paula Hurd, said the university, which "provided compelling momentum" and the name for the Mark and Paula Hurd Welcome Center.
Donors also reportedly supported the renovation and construction of the Honors Residential College and Draper Academic Building, providing Honors College students an "extraordinary on-campus experience", while renovating faculty offices and classrooms, as well.
More information on the Give Light campaign can be found at this link.
More from 6 News: