La Mirada, Calif., Oct. 15, 2026 — Biola University has publicly launched Streams of Influence: The Campaign for Biola University, a historic $250 million campaign and the largest fundraising initiative in the university’s 118-year history. With $238 million already raised from many generous alumni and friends of the university, the campaign is now entering its final phase of fundraising to advance four remaining initiatives that will shape Biola’s future for generations to come.

In 2022, Biola embarked on fundraising during the silent phase of the comprehensive five-year campaign for Biola University, which began as a $200 million vision to advance Biola’s mission. As momentum grew, the goal increased to reflect the current $250 million vision. Since the start of the campaign, several initiatives have been funded during the campaign, including the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts studio facility, the Winsome Conviction Academy, Read Well, Live Well in the Torrey Honors College, the AI Lab and AI Venture Studio and Talbot Embedded to name only a few.

Enthusiastic support during this campaign has driven great momentum, with 36 gifts of $1 million or more and many first-time donors. The comprehensive campaign has also produced two of the largest gifts in its 118-year history, each marking a new milestone in the university’s philanthropic history. In 2023, a generous donation — announced as the largest in Biola’s history at the time — made by Lynsi Snyder-Ellingson, current owner and president of In-N-Out Burger, resulted in the naming of the Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts after her grandmother and the company’s co-founder, Esther L. Snyder. That landmark gift was followed last year by another historic commitment, when an anonymous donor gave more than $40 million to support technology education at Biola. That gift has now been fully realized at more than $60 million and is already creating transformative opportunities for students to gain hands-on experience in technology and engineering through the construction of an engineering garage and robotics hangar.

“This campaign is about more than buildings. It’s about students whose lives will shape culture, challenge assumptions and shine with conviction and compassion in every field — from counseling and healthcare to filmmaking and accounting, from art and nursing to church leadership and engineering,” said Biola president, Dr. Barry H. Corey. “Whether in entertainment, education or entrepreneurship, we are forming the next generation to be grace and truth in a world that desperately needs lives of Christ's love that are steeped in God's Word.”

The campaign’s name honors a prayer by Biola’s co-founder, Lyman Stewart, who like many of Biola’s supporters, was a businessman who launched a successful company and a faithful churchman. His powerful statement, shared during Biola’s groundbreaking ceremony in downtown Los Angeles in 1912, “Let it be our hope and prayer that from this place shall radiate streams of influence that will be a great blessing, not only to the multitudes around is, but also to the darkest places on the earth,” is the foundational conviction of Biola’s campaign. The public phase of the campaign was announced on October 15, 2026 before more than a thousand guests during a red carpet celebration for the dedication of the new Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts studio facility.

Streams of Influence boldly defines three priorities anchoring its vision: Open Doors, Shape Lives and Shine Light. As the campaign resources this vision, Biola aims to equip filmmakers, psychologists, pastors, entrepreneurs, scientists, educators and ministry leaders to enter the world ready to live out Biola’s mission of being men and women equipped in mind and character to impact the world for Jesus Christ.

The priority of Open Doors will expand scholarships and resources to make a Biola education possible for the next generation of students. The Shape Lives priority is working toward building facilities and programs where students are formed intellectually, spiritually and vocationally.

Finally, the Shine Light priority is already helping to establish centers and resources that extend Biola’s Christ-centered influence into the church, culture and world.

“From our founding to the present, generosity has been a defining thread in Biola’s story. It is humbling to see so many individuals, families and foundations invest in our Christ-centered mission and make a transformational education possible for our students,” said David Vazquez, vice president of university advancement. “As we enter the final phase of our Streams of Influence campaign, I pray that many more will be inspired to join us in supporting Biola’s vision and shaping the lives of students.”

Through the remarkable generosity of thousands of donors, the Streams of Influence campaign is nearing its $250 million goal — with dozens of initiatives already fully funded. Between now and the conclusion of the campaign in June 2027, focused fundraising for four major initiatives is underway in support of the Biola Fund, a new Center for Evangelism and Missions and a new Center for Mental Health and the Church as well as final funding needed for the new Snyder School of Cinema & Media Arts studio facility.

Through Streams of Influence, Biola is advancing its commitment to faith, opening doors for a brighter future and equipping students to impact the world for Jesus Christ. Become a partner in radiating streams of influence and give to Biola today.

Written by Sarah Dougher, strategic communication manager. For more information, email beacon@biola.edu.