The University of Washington has launched "Go BIG! for Washington," a five-year, $300 million fundraising effort to pave the way for long-term success as UW Athletics prepares to join the Big Ten Conference.
According to a press release, the campaign "aims to ensure that Husky Athletics remains competitive financially amid an evolving intercollegiate athletics landscape, the increased budgetary demands of competing against its new cohort of conference schools, and its own standards as a top-10 global public research institution."
"Washington Huskies Athletics has been an integral part of our university, city, and state for over a century. Husky student-athletes have thrived, combining a world-class education with competing at the highest levels of college athletics, proudly wearing the Purple and Gold," said director of Athletics Pat Chun. "We've seen them grow into leaders, citizens, and individuals who have made a lasting impact on the world—thanks to the exceptional student-athlete experience we provide at UW. As a proud member of the Big Ten Conference, the premier conference in college sports, Washington is entering an exciting new era. The Go BIG! for Washington campaign offers our alumni, donors, and fans the chance to help us forge ahead, ensuring our continued success in this evolving landscape of college athletics."
Washington has already raised more than $50 million. Head football coach Jedd Fisch and his wife, Amber, kicked off the fundraising effort with an inaugural $1 million gift.
Go BIG! for Washington helps fund all 22 UW teams and more than 650 student-athletes.
"At the UW, we lead with our values and a commitment to developing student-athletes who thrive not only in competition but in the classroom and throughout their lives," said UW president Ana Mari Cauce. "As a Big Ten member, the UW will have a prominent voice in ensuring that the future of college sports honors and upholds those values for the good of all student-athletes, present and future."
During its first five years in the Big Ten, the UW will receive a smaller share of revenue from the conference. While the UW's athletics budget was near the top in the Pac-12 Conference, nine other schools in the Big Ten Conference have larger athletic budgets and considerably lower business costs. The hope is that Go BIG! for Washington will help bridge this funding gap.
