Fuel the Fire: Liberty gears up for annual Giving Day on Oct. 19

Liberty University’s annual Giving Day, scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 19, unites the entire university in the goal of “fueling the fire” by making an impact on current and future generations of Champions for Christ through a spirit of generosity.

Friends of Liberty on campus in Lynchburg and throughout the world are invited to donate any amount directly to an area of his or her choosing. No gift is ever too small to spark a flame. There are 115 different campaigns available for giving, including academic departments, athletic programs, scholarship funds, and ministry and outreach. (Visit givingday.liberty.edu for a full list.)

“The goal is to help our students in different ways; that can be through scholarships, the Dean’s Excellence Fund, getting players better equipment for their individual sport, and so on,” said Dan Branda, Director of Development Services. “Giving Day is the one time of the year when people can give to where they’re most passionate at Liberty, and that money doesn’t zero out either.”

A new element of Giving Day, the Ambassador Program, allows individuals to raise money and unlock new prizes at different levels of support.

“Students or others might not have gifts to give, but they do have a sphere of influence — like parents, grandparents, friends, and so on — and that’s what makes the Ambassador Program an emphasis this year,” Branda said. “You may not be able to give, but by being an ambassador and getting those you know to give, you’re able to win these great prizes.”

Ambassador Challenges and Prizes

• • $100: Sticker and cardholder packet
  • $500: Hat, sticker, and cardholder packet
  • $1,000: Sweatshirt, hat, sticker, and cardholder packet
  • $5,000: Two pregame sideline passes to a football game, plus all $1,000-level prizes (first 50 ambassadors)
  • $10,000: Invitation for two to the Ambassador Dinner with President Dondi Costin, plus all $1,000-level prizes (first 50 ambassadors)
  • $15,000: Lunch for two after Convocation with Liberty’s VIP guests, plus all $1,000-level prizes (first 15 ambassadors)
  • $25,000: Two seats in Williams Stadium’s ’71 Suite to watch a game with President Costin, plus all $1,000-level prizes (first 20 ambassadors)
  • $50,000: Trip for two to LU’s next bowl game, including flight, hotel, and game tickets, plus all $1,000-level prizes (first 20 ambassadors)
  • $100,000: All prizes listed above

Registration for ambassadors is available on the Giving Day website. Tables will also be available around campus to register in person.

As they have on past Giving Days, leaders at Liberty such as coaches, deans, and vice presidents, will be driving “cash cab” golf carts around campus throughout the day, asking riders questions about Liberty trivia in return for “Liberty Dollars,” which can then be donated to a campaign.

Branda said Giving Day is also a chance to create a culture of generosity among its faculty and staff.

“People give to something they believe in, and to have faculty and staff really give in this way would be a great show of support to our leadership,” Branda said.

Fuel the fire during this year’s Giving Day by visiting GivingDay.Liberty.edu.