Liberty University

Liberty University is a non-denominational Protestant Christian liberal arts college located in Lynchburg, Virginia. 1 Liberty aims to provide an education that involves the whole person and claims that is most effective when students and instructors both have a proper relationship with Christ. Liberty University’s vision is to develop Christ-centered individuals, each with the essential values, skills, and knowledge to make an impact on the world. 2

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At-A-Glance

Type: Non-profit, 501(c)(3)
Formation:

1974

President:

Dondi E. Costin

President Emeritus:

Jerry Prevo

Budgt (2021):

Revenue: $1,594,106,664
Expenses: $1,284,086,793
Assets: $3,991,603,424 3

Location: Lynchburg, VA View on map
Tax ID: 54-0946734
Most Recent Filing: 2024
Budget (2024): Assets: $4,612,068,688 Revenue: $1,802,305,808 Expenses: $1,456,869,886

Contents

    History

    Liberty University aims to combine academic knowledge with a Christian worldview, promote an understanding of the Western tradition and free market processes, and further understanding of other cultures. 2

    Jerry Falwell was the founder of Liberty University. Falwell was also the cofounder of the conservative political lobbying group Moral Majority, which mobilized voters for the 1980 presidential election in support of Ronald Reagan. 4

    Jerry Falwell Jr., the founder’s son and a former president of Liberty, was sued by Liberty in 2021 over allegations that he withheld information about sexual scandals from Liberty’s board of trustees. The suit alleged that this information was potentially damaging to Liberty University’s reputation. 5

    Liberty University enrolls more than 130,000 students (most through its online programs), which includes more than 700 international students, and offers more than 700 programs of study. 6

    Funding

    Liberty University is funded by donations from individuals, foundations, and businesses. While Liberty University does not disclose its donors, tax filings confirm contributions from the Ed Uihlein Family Foundation ($750,000 in 2021), 7 the Tulsa Community Foundation ($57,395 in 2015), 8 and the National Collegiate Athletic Association ($51,436 in 2019). 9

    Board of Trustees

    Dondi Costin is the president of Liberty University as of July 1, 2023. Costin is a retired major general and a former president of Charleston Southern University. 10

    Jonathan Falwell is the chancellor of Liberty University and senior pastor of Thomas Road Baptist Church. Falwell is a former vice chancellor for spiritual affairs, executive vice president for spiritual affairs, and campus pastor for Liberty University. He is the son of Liberty’s founder. 11

    Jerry Prevo is president emeritus of Liberty University. Prevo is a former chair of the board (2003-2020) and worked as interim president of Liberty University between 2020 and 2023. 12

    Tim Lee is the chair of the board of Liberty University and an evangelist. Lee sits on the board of Trinity Baptist College, is a former member of the Bicentennial Committee for the 200th anniversary of the U.S. Constitution, and is co-chair of the National Committee of Veterans for U.S. Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX). 13

    Will Graham, the grandson of famed evangelist Billy Graham, is the vice chair of the board of Liberty University and the executive vice president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association, where he is also an evangelist. 14

    Brian Autry is the executive director of the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV). 15

    Anthony Beckles is the CFO of Lynchburg City Schools and a former vice president for finance at Liberty University. 16

    John Borek is a senior pastor at American Fellowship Church and the president and cofounder of the American Leadership Institute and Seminary. 17

    Don Crain is regional strategist for the Central-East region at the Southern Baptist Conservatives of Virginia (SBCV). 18

    Richard Lee is the founding pastor of First Redeemer Church and the president of There’s Hope America. Lee is a member of the National Religious Broadcasters, the Council for National Policy, the Conservative Action Project, and the National Association of Christian Lawmakers. 19

    Allen McFarland is the senior pastor of Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church and the president of the Southern Baptist Convention of Virginia. McFarland sits on the boards of the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism, the Atlantic Shores Christian Schools, and Kids Across America. 20

    Gene Mims is the senior pastor of Judson Baptist Church and sits on the boards of the Kingstone Media Group and the Timothy Initiative. Mims is a former vice president of Lifeway Christian Resources and former president of the International Baptist Network.

    Penny Nance is the CEO and president of Concerned Women for America and the president of Concerned Women for America Legislative Action Committee. Nance is a former member of former President Donald Donald Trump‘s Life Advisory Council. 21

    Financial Statistics

    Total Assets

    Total Revenue

    Total Expenses

    YearTotal AssetsTotal RevenueTotal ExpensesFiling
    2024 $4,612,068,688 $1,802,305,808 $1,456,869,886 View
    2023 $4,157,125,287 $1,565,676,548 $1,381,066,428 View
    2022 $3,991,603,424 $1,594,106,664 $1,284,086,793 View
    2021 $3,931,030,973 $1,515,953,706 $1,165,679,488 View
    2020 $3,367,494,352 $1,343,657,390 $1,093,741,798 View

    Prior year filings: 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011

    Revenue Detail

    Expenses Detail

    Employee Compensation

    • Number of Employees: 13097

    Highest Earning Employees

    EmployeeTitleTotal Compensation
    Mr James ChadwellHEAD COACH – FOOTBALL$5,936,509
    Mr Ritchie L McKayHEAD COACH – BASKETBALL$1,924,361
    Mr Ian McCawVP & DIRECTOR OF ATHLETICS$972,907
    Pastor Jonathan FalwellTRUSTEE/CHANCELLOR$834,500
    Dr Jerry PrevoTRUSTEE/PRESIDENT EMERITUS$822,036
    Dr Robert RitzCHIEF FIN. OFFICER/TREASURER$797,386
    Dr Ronald KennedyEVP FOR ENROLLMENT & MARKETING$615,353
    Dr Dondi CostinTRUSTEE/PRESIDENT$577,589
    Mr David CorryGENERAL COUNSEL/SECRETARY$541,703
    Mr John CurtisASSISTANT COACH – FOOTBALL$521,962
    Dr Scott HicksPROVOST & CHIEF ACADEMIC OFF.$492,174
    Mr William KornASSISTANT COACH – FOOTBALL$489,238
    Dr Mark F HorstemeyerDEAN, SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING$487,427
    Mr John GaugerCIO & EVP Analytics$464,949
    Mr Steve FosterEVP OF HUMAN RESOURCES$414,187
    Mrs Cindy GaebeSVP OF FIN.& CHIEF INVEST OFF.$405,277
    Mr Charles SpenceSVP OF CAMPUS FACILITIES & TRA$349,648
    Mr Daniel DeterVP OF MAJOR CONSTRUCTION$344,161
    REV Glenn ClaryVP OF STRATEGIC P'SHIPS&ALLIA$332,370
    Mr Craig PettittVP OF REAL ESTATE MANAGEMENT$309,907
    Dr Lawrence HineEVP OF STUDENT AFFAIRS$305,400
    Mr Daniel ApplewhiteDEPUTY GEN. COUNSEL/ASST. SECY$294,224
    Mr Brian MentzerEVP OF DEVELOPMENT$277,391
    Mrs Ashley ReichSVP OF UNIVERSITY COMPLIANCE$251,656
    Mr Scott SpearVP OF FINANCE & ADMINISTRATION$250,119
    Mr Matt CooperVP OF STUDENT FINANCIAL SERVIC$205,742
    Mr Anthony BecklesTRUSTEE/ONLINE CHAIR$142,504
    Dr Brian AutryTRUSTEE & ADJUNCT PROFESSOR$56,000
    Dr John Borek JRTRUSTEE & ADJUNCT PROFESSOR$39,768
    Dr David RhodenhizerTRUSTEE$28,747
    Mr William TinneyTRUSTEE$25,984
    Evangelist Tim LeeTRUSTEE$25,958
    Evangelist William F GrahamTRUSTEE$15,860
    Mr Chris RhodenhizerTRUSTEE$12,290
    Mr Jeffery S YagerTRUSTEE$11,900
    Dr Don CrainTRUSTEE$9,775
    Dr Jack GrahamTRUSTEE$3,500
    Dr Allen McFarlandTRUSTEE$1,500
    Dr Richard G LeeTRUSTEE$974
    Mr Carroll HudsonTRUSTEE$750
    Mr William E WestoverTRUSTEE$250
    Mr Jeffrey F BensonTRUSTEE$125

    Grant Activity

    All-time grants received statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $51,795,526
    • Number of Grants: 1,713
    • Number of Funders: 605

    Selection of highest value grants received from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $5,710,2562025 Conference USAANNUAL DISTRIBUTION
    $1,205,7812024 National Collegiate Athletic AssociationGrants/Scholarships
    $1,193,0012023 National Collegiate Athletic AssociationGrants/Scholarships
    $1,179,0392022 National Collegiate Athletic AssociationScholarships/Grants
    $1,139,1092021 National Collegiate Athletic AssociationScholarships/Grants
    $509,6822024 Liberty University FoundationSCHOLARSHIPS
    $500,0002024 Hendrick Family FoundationProgram Support
    $438,3002023 National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc.GROWTH
    $325,2172024 Folds of Honor FoundationSCHOLARSHIP
    $305,3002024 National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc.COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES
    $253,3922023 Tulsa Community FoundationSCHOLARSHIPS
    $250,0002022 The SignatryEDUCATION
    $213,3882022 Tulsa Community FoundationSCHOLARSHIPS
    $150,8862020 Tulsa Community FoundationSCHOLARSHIPS
    $135,2682022 Tua Mw Buster Charitable ResUNRESTRICTED GENERAL
    $132,0002020 National Christian Charitable Foundation, Inc.GROWTH
    $126,1632025 Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc.EDUCATION
    $124,4952021 Tulsa Community FoundationSCHOLARSHIP
    $118,9392024 Folds of Honor FoundationSCHOLARSHIP
    $115,5002024 National Philanthropic TrustHEALTH
    $115,1502022 Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc.EDUCATION
    $107,5182021 Tua Mw Buster Charitable ResUNRESTRICTED GENERAL
    $107,4502021 Donor Advised Charitable Giving, Inc.EDUCATION
    $100,0002024 The US Charitable Gift TrustFOR RECIPIENT'S EXEMPT PURPOSE
    $100,0002023 The Winston-Salem Foundation1 grant(s) for varying purposes

    All-time grants given statistics from Candid dataset:

    • Total Grant Value: $13,929,863
    • Number of Grants: 119
    • Number of Recipients: 67

    Selection of highest value grants given from the last seven years:

    AmountYearFunderSubject
    $628,3782020 Liberty University FoundationSupportive Christian non-profit organization
    $430,0002025 Liberty University FoundationSupportive Christian Organization
    $414,9602022 Hope Partners Internationalsupportive Christian organization
    $300,0002023 Hope Partners InternationalSupportive Christian Organization
    $300,0002023 Samaritan's PurseSupportive Christian Organization
    $200,0502021 Samaritan's Pursesupportive christian organization
    $200,0002024 Liberty University Foundationsupportive christian organization
    $200,0002024 Lynchburg Beacon of Hope Inccommunity support
    $200,0002023 Global Surge IncSupportive Christian Organization
    $200,0002023 Lynchburg Beacon of Hope IncCommunity Support
    $200,0002022 Lynchburg Beacon of Hope Inccommunity support
    $200,0002021 Hope Partners Internationalsupportive christian organization
    $160,0002021 Central Missionary Clearinghouse Incglobal surge efforts
    $100,0002021 Jerry Vines Ministries Incsupportive christian organization
    $100,0002021 Tim Lee Ministriessupportive christian organization
    $100,0002020 Faith and Freedom Coalition IncNon-partisan voter education
    $100,0002025 Lynchburg Beacon of Hope IncCommunity Support
    $100,0002023 Jerry Vines Ministries IncSupportive Christian Organization
    $100,0002023 Tim Lee MinistriesSupportive Christian Organization
    $99,0002020 Vineyard Outreach AmericaIssue Based Education
    $76,0002022 Wylie Preparatory Academybuilding fund
    $75,0002025 City of Lynchburg Police Foundation IncCommunity Support
    $75,0002022 HumanKindsupportive Christian organization
    $75,0002020 The Gainey FoundationSupportive christian non-profit organization
    $70,0002020 Camp Bahamas Missions CBM IncSupportive Christian organization

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    Contact Us

    Financials, employee compensation, and grant information provided by Candid.

    Mentioned in this Article

    References

    1. “What We Believe: Liberty University’s Mission and Values.” Liberty University Residential, July 11, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/residential/what-we-believe/.
    2. “Educational Philosophy & Mission Statement.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/purpose-and-mission-statement/.
    3. Liberty University Inc, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2021.
    4. “Founder.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/founder-jerry-falwell-senior/.
    5. Graham, Ruth. “Liberty University Sues Jerry Falwell Jr., Alleging Deception.” New York Times, April 16, 2021. Accessed August 1, 2023. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/16/us/jerry-falwell-jr-liberty-university-lawsuit.html.
    6. “Liberty University Quick Facts.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/liberty-university-quick-facts/.
    7. Ed Uihlein Family Foundation, Return of Private Foundation (Form 990-PF), 2021, Part XV, Line 3.
    8.  Tulsa Community Foundation, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2015, Schedule I, Part II.
    9. National Collegiate Athletic Association, Return of Organization Exempt from Income Tax (Form 990), 2019, Schedule I, Part II.
    10. “President of Liberty University.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/president-of-liberty-university/.
    11. “Chancellor of Liberty University.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/chancellor-of-liberty-university/.
    12. “President Emeritus Jerry Prevo.” Liberty University. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.liberty.edu/about/president-emeritus-jerry-prevo/.
    13. “Tim’s Biography.” Tim Lee Ministries. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://timlee.org/about-tim/.
    14. “Will Graham.” Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://billygraham.org/about/biographies/will-graham/.
    15. “Executive Director.” SBCV. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.sbcv.org/executive-director/.
    16. “Anthony Beckles.” LinkedIn. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.linkedin.com/in/anthony-beckles-45136884/
    17. “Meet the Pastor.” American Fellowship Church. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://americanfchurch.org/meet-the-pastor/.
    18. “Don Crain.” SBCV. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.sbcv.org/staff/don-crain/.
    19. “About.” There’s Hope America. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.thereshope.org/about/
    20. “Meet Pastor McFarland.” Calvary Evangelical Baptist Church. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://www.cebclive.org/meet-pastor-mcfarland.
    21. “Penny Nance.” Concerned Women for America. Accessed July 31, 2023. https://concernedwomen.org/penny-nance-about/.