Giving Day 2026 reaches new milestone with over $11.7 million to Train Champions for Christ

Supporting over 100 campaigns that span academic, athletic, and spiritual programs, the Liberty University community surpassed the previous year’s total during the annual Giving Day on Wednesday, generating $11,703,313 from 9,002 gifts in 24 hours.

Throughout Giving Day, university staff, including Professor of Evangelism Dr. David Wheeler and Director of Alumni Dr. Greg Tilley, drove around campus in festive golf carts handing out candy and Giving Day resources. Even Sparky the mascot participated in the fun.

As Wheeler engaged with students and staff, he said he was able to celebrate the spirit of giving and the excitement for what God is doing on Liberty Mountain.

“I’m always blown away at the many ways that God uses LU to touch the world through every department across the campus,” he said. “Giving Day shines a light on this and magnifies how students and staff can all be on mission together. After all, being a Champion for Christ should be the goal for all of us.”

The top earning academic programs of the day were Liberty University College of Osteopathic Medicine, School of Law, John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, School of Music, and School of Communication & the Arts. Of the over 60 NCAA and Club Sports athletic programs at Liberty, the five biggest recipients were women’s basketball, football, softball, women’s soccer, and women’s lacrosse.

Those who registered as Giving Day Ambassadors shared personal links to spread the word about Giving Day to friends and family while competing to support their favorite school, club, or athletic program. Ambassadors earned prizes such as Liberty apparel, lunch with Convocation guests and VIPs, and accommodations for Flames Football games. Representatives of academic and athletic campaigns participated in multiple challenges throughout the day — including sharing fun photos on social media — to earn their campaign an extra $250 and rise up the leaderboard.

The Giving Day Fest for students on the Academic Lawn featured games, giveaways, tables for student clubs and departments, and a chance to connect with staff from the Office of Development. Students signed up to become student ambassadors and wrote thank-you notes to donors in exchange for awards and entered giveaways for prizes.

Sophomore wildlife biology student Sarah Houpt, a members of Liberty’s archery Club Sports team, shared her gratefulness for those who have supported her and her teammates.

“All of our money comes solely from Giving Day, and that determines what competitions we go to, what we can do for fundraisers, our meals as we travel, and everything else,” she said. “I think it’s really great being able to let people give to us in that way today … it’s a big deal for us.”

As a biomedical sciences student, junior Joshua Montgomery said he appreciates the support of Giving Day donors as he studies in the School of Health Sciences.

“Giving Day is helpful because it allows people to support the school in a different way by supporting specific programs that they care about,” he said. “Especially for things like research, which I’ve been lucky to be a part of, Giving Day helps support that.”

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