California Baptist University surpasses $40 million endowment goal early

California Baptist University (CBU) announced the successful early completion of a five-year $40 Million Endowment Challenge on September 9, 2024. This initiative, which began in March 2021, was made possible by a generous donor who committed up to $10 million in matching funds for the School of Christian Ministries. The challenge concluded in just 3.5 years, showcasing the strong support from the CBU community, including trustees, alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends. Dr. Ronald L. Ellis, CBU president, expressed gratitude for the contributions that led to this achievement, emphasizing the importance of the funds in developing future Christian leaders. The endowment will provide long-term sustainable funding for scholarships and academic programs, significantly impacting students' education and their ability to serve in local churches and communities. The funds raised included over $24.8 million for double major endowed scholarships, more than $10 million for Bachelor of Applied Theology Scholarships, and over $1.6 million for the School of Christian Ministries Excellence Fund. Additionally, over $3.5 million was allocated to various programs and projects related to the School of Christian Ministries, enhancing the overall educational experience. Dr. Chris Morgan, dean of the School of Christian Ministries, highlighted the blessings that have come from this campaign, noting that the contributions will have a lasting impact on students and churches. The success of this endowment challenge reflects the university's mission and the generosity of its supporters, with over $67 million committed to CBU in the past two years alone.