October 8, 2025
Campaign seeks to expand scholarships, transform campus facilities, and strengthen Christian leadership worldwide.
Wheaton College—an explicitly Christian, academically rigorous, liberal arts college and graduate school—launched its capital campaign, Faithfully Forward, during its recent Homecoming weekend festivities. The celebration included a concert on Friday, September 26, headlined by the Christian recording artist, TAYA, who performed alongside Wheaton’s Chapel Worship Band. The College’s donor Gratitude Breakfast on Saturday, September 27, featured music by Fernando Ortega, a live art performance by Timothy Botts, and a keynote address by Trustee and Campaign Chair Lisa Brosious Beamer ’91.
The campaign began its leadership gift phase in July 2021. Originally set at $225 million, the comprehensive fundraising goal was increased to $275 million in 2025 by the Board of Trustees after overwhelming early support, making Faithfully Forward the most ambitious fundraising effort in Wheaton College’s history. To date, nearly $232 million has been committed. The campaign will conclude in June 2027.
“With generous, prayerful support, the College will continue to educate global leaders who love Jesus, share the gospel, help people in need, and wisely address the world’s biggest problems,” said Dr. Philip Ryken, Wheaton College President. “By moving Faithfully Forward together, we honor God’s faithfulness to the College and renew our commitment to new generations of Wheaton students.”
The campaign builds on a season of extraordinary growth and generosity. Last year was the largest giving year in Wheaton’s history. In the fiscal year ending in June 2025, total giving to the College reached $47.6 million, surpassing the previous highs of $46 million (2022) and $43.8 million (2024). Just last week, an anonymous donor donated a $6 million gift along with a $2 million dollar-for-dollar matching pledge for the College’s library renovation. This gift provides strong momentum for the campaign and invites the Wheaton community members to double the impact of their support.
“The support from Wheaton’s alumni and friends has been both humbling and inspiring to witness, and we are so thankful for their assistance and God’s provision,” said Dr. Kirk Farney, Vice President of Advancement, Vocation, and Alumni Engagement.
Thriving student enrollment also reflects Wheaton’s enduring strength and mission-driven distinctiveness. Undergraduate first-time enrollment reached a five-year high, while total undergraduate enrollment achieved a three-year high.
Alumni, parents, and friends are invited to join Wheaton in advancing the mission of the College through the Faithfully Forward Capital Campaign. More information and giving opportunities can be found at wheaton.edu/forward.
Faithfully Forward will advance three strategic goals that align directly with the College’s Christ-centered mission:
Equip Students with Scholarships
To enhance Wheaton’s commitment to competitive financial aid for students, the Faithfully Forward campaign seeks to raise a historic increase in endowed scholarships that will yield $3 million in new funding for need-based and academic scholarships annually.
- Scholarships: $70 million
Elevate the Campus Experience
The Faithfully Forward campaign targets projects that will attract more students and enrich their experience on campus. Major renovations to Wheaton’s library and athletics facilities build consistency with the level of excellence for which it is known.
- Library Renovations: $54 million
- Athletics Facilities Expansion: $23 million
Expand Wheaton’s Missional Leadership
To prepare students to share their faith in every area of contemporary society, the Faithfully Forward campaign expands investment in career exploration, academic support, Christian discipleship opportunities, and more.
- The Wheaton (Annual) Fund: $6 million (annually)
- Life With God Together: $3 million
- Academic Success: $6 million
- Endowed Internship Fund: $9 million
- Graduate School Impact Fund: $9 million
- Planned Giving: $20.5 million
Contact:
Joseph Moore
Chief Marketing Communications Officer
630.752.5729
joseph.moore@wheaton.edu