Giving Day hits new record with 7,000 gifts topping $7.4 million

Liberty University’s Giving Day on Oct. 22 experienced its largest donation total in the history of the 24-hour event — $7,458,965 from 7,113 gifts — thanks to the generosity of alumni, faculty, staff, students, and friends in support of the community’s unified mission of Training Champions for Christ.

This year’s total surpassed last year’s by almost $1.8 million (31.8%).

Giving Day brings together friends of Liberty on campus in Lynchburg and throughout the world to make an impact on Champions for Christ by donating any amount directly to the campaigns of their choice. This year, donors could choose from over 110 campaigns, ranging from academic departments to athletic programs, scholarship funds, ministry groups, and campaigns that help those in need. (View a full list.)

The different schools, teams, ministry groups, and programs also competed in various challenges during the day for a chance to increase the impact of their gifts.

The five academic departments receiving the highest donations at the end of the day won the Dean’s Excellence Challenge, each receiving a portion of a $21,000 gift from an anonymous donor. The School of Business took top place, followed by the School of Behavioral Sciences, School of Music, School of Law, and School of Nursing.

Liberty Softball took top place in the Rise With Us Challenge, which allocated $27,500 among the top-earning athletics campaigns, and received an additional $10,000. The team was followed by women’s lacrosse, women’s soccer, football, and track & field and cross country.

Those who registered to be a Giving Day Ambassador had the opportunity to unlock prizes as their friends, family, and others donated through their personalized link. At the top of the Ambassador Leaderboard (for total donations raised) are DII men’s hockey junior Christian Sehlke, followed by School of Music Dean Dr. Stephen Müller, men’s lacrosse graduate student Peyton Doyle, women’s lacrosse senior Kendall Coss, and cycling freshman Jack Armstrong.

Various special fundraising challenges on Giving Day allowed programs to earn an extra $250 in prize money by posting to social media. The Spirit of the Mountain Marching Band created the best promo video, the triathlon team sent in the best photo of a pet wearing Liberty apparel, and the women’s wrestling team posted the best kids fan photo.

“We just experienced the greatest Giving Day in the history of Liberty University, and we greatly appreciate the tremendous outpouring of generosity and support by the amazing Liberty family,” Executive Vice President of Development Brian Mentzer said.

For more opportunities to partner with Liberty University in its mission, visit Liberty.edu/Giving.