Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Michigan State University alumni Kristen and Justin Ishbia recently made a $10 million donation to MSU athletics, according to an announcement Tuesday on the department website. The Ishbias' gift includes $8.5 million in support of men's basketball and baseball, and $1.5 million in previous Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) payments. A portion of the gift will be used to support the baseball program and upgrades to the baseball facilities. The baseball field will be renamed Jeff Ishbia Field, in honor of Justin's father. A 2000 graduate of the Eli Broad College of Business, Justin Ishbia is the founder and managing partner of Chicago based Shore Capital Partners, part majority owner and alternate governor of the Phoenix Suns and Mercury, and minority owner and alternate governor of Major League Soccer's Nashville SC. Kristen graduated from the College of Education with a degree in Kinesiology in 2008.
Mississippi State University director of athletics Zac Selmon announced Thursday the receipt of a single pledge of $8 million to Mississippi State Athletics to advance its mission of delivering exceptional competitive resources that will uplift the Bulldogs football program. This monumental gift, committed by a family who wishes to remain anonymous, is the second-largest commitment in MSU Athletics history and will help fuel the momentum of Mississippi State Football and kick start the State Excellence Fund, the Mississippi State Athletics fund of the future.
Western Colorado University in Gunnison has received a $1 million commitment from alum Michael Johnson (’77), who claimed the naming rights to the new turf inside Mountaineer Bowl, which will now be known as Mojo Field. In addition to a new turf field and track facilities, the renovation of Mountaineer Bowl at the Rady Family Sports Complex includes a new 20,000-square-foot gateway and a 10,000-square-foot press box and hospitality suite. As reported by the Gunnison Country Times, Johnson’s gift will help offset the cost of the project.
Rend Lake College in Ina, Ill., announced that health provider Deaconess Illinois is donating $250,000 to the Rend Lake College Foundation for its "The Game Plan" campaign. As reported Thursday by ABC affiliate WSIL in Harrisburg, this campaign comes in an effort to renovate and expand the gymnasium and athletic facilities. The donation that Deaconess Illinois made will go toward a new athletic training room.
Total amount of these gifts:
$19,250,000
