A nonprofit foundation blasted the leadership of Baylor University on Wednesday after the historically Baptist institution in Waco, Texas, returned its $643,401 grant intended to study LGBTQ+ inclusion in churches following backlash.
“This decision disserves Baylor students, faculty, and the broader Christian community,” trustees with the Eula Mae and John Baugh Foundation said in a statement provided to The Christian Post. “Baylor has a duty to protect and uphold the integrity of scientific inquiry, allowing its world class faculty to investigate complex issues without fear of reprisal based on shifting political winds.”
After news of the grant drew negative attention after going viral on social media, Baylor University President Linda Livingstone issued a statement Wednesday announcing the school was voluntarily rescinding their acceptance of the grant the Baugh Family Foundation awarded to the private research university’s Center for Church and Community Impact.
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The grant’s goal was “to foster inclusion and belonging in the church,” with an emphasis on understanding “the disenfranchisement and exclusion of LGBTQIA+ individuals and women within congregations to nurture institutional courage and foster change,” according to a since-deleted June 30 press release from the school’s Diana R. Garland School of Social Work.
Baylor is committed to providing a caring community, and to academic freedom, as a Christian research university.
But our policies also remain unchanged, which is why the University has elected to return a recent grant.
President Livingstone explains: https://t.co/uFKZw6oYXQpic.twitter.com/Pb57hEcF9k
— Baylor University (@Baylor) July 9, 2025
In her statement, Livingstone noted that returning the hefty sum “is the appropriate course of action and in the best interests” of Baylor, adding that the School of Social Work’s Dean Jon Singletary, principal investigator Gaynor Yancey and Provost Nancy Brickhouse agreed.
While acknowledging the importance of loving LGBTQ-identifying students at Baylor, Livingstone also suggested the grant effectively violated the school’s stated sexual ethics.
“We remain committed to providing a loving and caring community for all — including our LGBTQIA+ students — because it is part and parcel of our University’s mission that calls us to educate our students within a caring Christian community,” Livingstone said.
“As we reviewed the details and process surrounding this grant, our concerns did not center on the research itself, but rather on the activities that followed as part of the grant. Specifically, the work extended into advocacy for perspectives on human sexuality that are inconsistent with Baylor’s institutional policies, including our Statement on Human Sexuality.”
Baylor’s sexuality statement, last updated in 2009, affirms “purity in singleness and fidelity in marriage between a man and a woman as the biblical norm.” The school, which is the oldest continually operating university in Texas, remains associated with the Baptist General Convention of Texas, which also affirms biblical teachings regarding sexuality, gender and marriage.
Livingstone maintained that “Baylor’s institutional beliefs and policies remain unchanged.” Claiming the situation was a “learning opportunity for many involved,” she added: “I hope this communication provides clarity into what has been a difficult week for many within the Baylor Family. Thank you for your prayers and continued support for Baylor University.”
In their statement provided to CP, the Baugh Family Foundation trustees alleged Baylor’s return of the research grant was driven by “an online campaign of fear and misinformation” that was politically driven.
The foundation, named for the late longtime Baylor donors Eva Mae and John Baugh, supports “progressive, inclusive, nonprofit organizations that reflect the love of Christ by providing assistance to those in need,” according to its website.
“This was an opportunity to answer the Christian call to care for the marginalized by creating resources and providing important research for faith communities. Our hearts break for the professors, research fellows, and, especially, the students who will receive this message from Baylor, loud and clear,” the nonprofit said.
The trustees, all of whom matriculated from Baylor, also accused their alma mater of undermining the work of their own staff.
“Pulling the rug out from under its faculty after those researchers have already put the grueling work into securing funding, work they undertook with Baylor’s full knowledge and approval, is a chilling affront to the very concept of academic freedom,” they said.
“Stymying research and opportunity will inevitably lead the best and brightest students and faculty to other universities where their work and their freedom will be valued and protected.”
The trustees also alleged that Baylor is neglecting the marginalized.
“While we are disheartened by this decision, the Baugh Foundation’s commitment to supporting progressive, inclusive, and justice-oriented work remains unwavering. We believe that congregations are uniquely positioned to be places of healing and belonging for all people. We continue to support partners who have the courage to listen to voices from the margins and who are dedicated to building a more just and welcoming world.”
“We regret that Baylor has chosen not to be such a partner. We hope this moment will be a catalyst for reflection and will inspire other institutions to take up the important work that Baylor has abandoned,” they added.
The statements from both Livingstone and the Baugh Family Foundation came the same day CP reported that Professor Greg Garrett, who serves as the school’s Carole Ann McDaniel Hanks Chair of Literature & Culture, accused CP and others of “attacking [his] faith” by covering his public affirmation of LGBT ideology.
Garrett, who personally received a $488,000 grant from the Baugh Family Foundation in 2021 to “illuminate the ways various forms of American culture have promoted racial myths through the centuries,” also defended the now-rescinded grant.
“When the far right media comes for me, my colleagues, or [Baylor]? I can only say: I serve the Jesus who said ‘If you’ve loved the least of these, you’ve loved me.’ Grateful for this grant that will help us love better,” Garrett tweeted Monday, linking to an article from CP.
When the far right media comes for me, my colleagues, or @Baylor? I can only say: I serve the Jesus who said “If you’ve loved the least of these, you’ve loved me.” Grateful for this grant that will help us love better. https://t.co/r925W3VUBZ#church#GodIsLove@BaylorProud
— Greg Garrett (@Greg1Garrett) July 7, 2025
Jon Brown is a reporter for The Christian Post. Send news tips to jon.brown@christianpost.com
