2025-26 Green, Gold & Giving Report

What happens when nearly 25,000 Baylor alumni, parents, faculty, staff and friends come together around a shared purpose? 

This year, it meant a record-breaking $244.5 million in giving.

But the real story isn't the number. It's students finding opportunities they never thought possible, faculty creating transformational learning experiences, parents investing in the Baylor experience, and the Baylor Family opening doors for future generations. Whether it was a scholarship gift, a contribution to an excellence fund or support for a favorite program, every gift played a role in helping Baylor students learn, grow and answer their callings.

Take a look at the numbers—and the stories behind them—to see how generosity is shaping lives and extending That Good Old Baylor Line.

Give Now to Extend Our Momentum

Since the launch of the Extend the Line Scholarship Initiative in February 2025, donors have contributed more than $123 million toward Baylor's goal of raising $250 million for new scholarships by 2030. This year alone, 6,260 donors invested in scholarships, positioning the initiative ahead of schedule.  

Every scholarship tells a story. They help talented students overcome financial barriers and experience the life-changing education Baylor offers.

"The scholarship I received from Baylor enabled me to achieve a dream that I have had since kindergarten. It has made it possible for me to be on track to graduate two years early, despite being a first-generation student and financially independent from my family." 

—Marguerite, Class of 2026 Political Science Major

Education extends far beyond the classroom.  

This year, 580 donors gave $133,000+ to the Student Missions Fund, helping 693 Baylor students and leaders participate in mission, service and immersion trips across 40 locations around the world.  

Whether serving alongside ministry partners, meeting community needs or experiencing new cultures, these opportunities help students develop the perspective, compassion and leadership skills needed for lives of service.

“As a Christian, I believe we are called to be the hands and feet of God and to love others the way Jesus did. I think the manifestation of that is service—going and doing what you can for others, but doing it humbly with a mindset that you’re also there to learn.”

—Julia, Class of 2027, Health and Science Studies major and MedLife in Peru mission trip participant 

Meaningful connections are at the heart of the Baylor experience. 

Support for Student Life funds increased by nearly $740,000 and 710 donors this year, helping expand programs and experiences that foster belonging, leadership development and personal growth. 

A caring Baylor community makes student flourishing possible. Through the generosity of donors, students experience meaningful traditions, nationally recognized learning communities and first-year experiences, and transformational opportunities that foster belonging, growth, and success from orientation through graduation and beyond. 

“"Being part of LEAD LLC (Leadership, Education, and Development Living-Learning Community) gave me so many opportunities to get involved, from weekly 2:42 Nights to Coffee with the Chaplain, allowing me to connect with student leaders and other residents. I built friendships both in the community and in the leadership class while developing skills that I am currently applying on the Spiritual Committee and other roles outside of LEAD." 

—Tommy, Class of 2028 Pre-Business Major, Arabic Minor

Innovation flourishes when disciplines come together. 

Through 109 gifts totaling nearly $63,000, donors strengthened the Library Dean's Excellence Fund and supported initiatives that enhance teaching, learning and research across the university. 

Baylor Libraries serves as a hub for innovation, providing resources that help faculty adopt active-learning strategies, reduce course material costs and create meaningful learning experiences for students. Spaces like the Makerspace and the Innovation Garage give students opportunities to turn concepts into creations, while collaborative programs create new connections across a campus nationally recognized for innovation. 

“Our mission is to lead as an innovative research library that undergirds scholarship, fosters teaching and builds communities."

—Jeffry Archer, Dean of Baylor University Libraries

Baylor fans invest in champions for life – supporting student-athletes as they grow academically, athletically, spiritually, and in character. 

Participation in the Bear Foundation's Preparing Champions for Life Fund more than doubled this year, with 288 gifts totaling $691,000. 

Those investments are making an impact in competition and beyond. 

Baylor student-athletes achieved a record spring GPA of 3.45, with every athletic program posting an average above 3.0. At the same time, Baylor Acrobatics & Tumbling captured its 11th consecutive national championship, continuing one of the most dominant runs in collegiate athletics. 

As Baylor Athletics enters its Fan First era, supporters are helping create an environment where student-athletes excel in competition, the classroom and life.

“Since I began as your athletics director, the question I've most often received, both encouraging and entirely consistent with the spirit of the Baylor Family, is simple: How can I help? My answer is just as simple: come be part of something meaningful and lasting, built through the shared moments created around Baylor Athletics.”

—Doug McNamee, Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics

Many Baylor Parents and family members choose to deepen their support by investing in opportunities that benefit students across campus. 

This year, more than 2,100 donors contributed $146,000+ to the Baylor Parent Fund, supporting programs that directly benefit students through the Paul L. Foster Success Center, University Libraries and Student Life. 

Family Weekend and Baylor Family Shirts inspired many of these gifts, reflecting parents' desire to be active participants in the Baylor community and invest in the success of all Baylor students. Their generosity helped expand tutoring, access to affordable course materials and more. 

Since 2018, the Baylor Parent Fund has invested more than $1.1 million in programs and resources that promote student success, well-being and flourishing. Each year, funding priorities are selected with input from the Parent Advisory Committee to meet evolving student needs.

“By pooling their resources, parents are making a meaningful difference across campus, providing flexible funding that enhances the student experience in countless ways. From academic support and expanded library resources to innovative student programming, these gifts strengthen our Baylor community and benefit students throughout their Baylor journey.”

—Molly Ferguson, Assistant Vice President for Parent and Family Giving 

Baylor’s theatre community took center stage this year—and supporters responded with enthusiasm.

The Theatre Arts Excellence Fund received more than $57K through 178 gifts from 163 donors, more than doubling support from the previous year. 

These gifts expand opportunities for students to develop their craft, collaborate with faculty, and bring new works to life. Students and faculty have helped drive this momentum, channeling their passion for the arts beyond the stage to feature giving opportunities connected to theatre performances. Amplifying their efforts is the excitement around the inaugural Baylor New Play Initiative, a weeklong festival designed to nurture new voices and strengthen connections between Baylor and the broader theatre community. 

The initiative is already attracting attention from artists and audiences across the country. 

“The BNPI cultivates new work as a means of generating respectful dialogue, expanding artistic horizons, and enriching our communities both locally and nationally. In addition, we aim to engage with the broader artistic community and facilitate greater exchange between Texas theatre and the American theatre scene while bolstering new and established artists in the creation of new works through artistic and financial support.” 

—Carla Neuss, Ph.D., Baylor theatre professor and co-chair of the BNPI 

The Moody School of Education Excellence Fund received $526,583 through 57 gifts from 53 donors, advancing Baylor's commitment to preparing exceptional educators and leaders. A transformational investment by the Moody Foundation is accelerating growth and inspiring further support.

Donors are helping position the Moody School of Education for exponential influence and impact through increased financial aid, specialized research, excellence in teaching and innovative programs grounded in Baylor's Christian mission. Together, these investments position Baylor as a leader in transformative education that shapes graduates to champion human flourishing. 

“I feel blessed to have learned from such wonderful Baylor professors who truly get to know you and want the best for you. From the first semester, we began working with students and learning different teaching techniques. I am forever grateful for this hands-on experience, as I now feel well-prepared to take on my own classroom.”

—Jillian Edmonds, elementary education major and 2026 summa cum laude graduate

Baylor Student callers engage the Baylor Family one conversation at a time.  

Prepared and professional, our Annual Giving student-ambassadors secured nearly 1,000 gifts totaling more than $176,000 — an increase of 17% over last year. Just as importantly, those conversations strengthened connections with alumni while giving student callers encouragement and perspective from generations of Baylor graduates.

"As an Ambassador, I have learned that philanthropy is about investing in the future; it’s inspiring to see how even small contributions can create significant change within the community."

—Emily, ‘26

This year brought record-breaking generosity, but the true impact can be found in the lives of students who are growing in knowledge, character, faith and purpose. 

Every scholarship awarded. Every mission trip launched. Every student supported. Every opportunity created. 

Together, the Baylor Family is helping students flourish, communities thrive and Baylor's mission extend far beyond campus.

Thank you for helping write the next chapter.