Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Michele Kang, owner of the National Women's Soccer League's Washington Spirit, has made a $30 million donation to U.S. Soccer, the largest gift in federation history designated for girls' and women’s soccer. As reported by Front Office Sports, the gift is largely focused on youth development, where the U.S. women have fallen off from their historic dominance in recent years. Kang’s investment, spread out over a five-year period, will double the number of camps from six to 12 for every age group and improve U.S. Soccer's digital talent identifying platform. The donation also aims to “fuel professional development for female players, coaches, and referees,” according to a U.S. Soccer statement, which said it aims to double the amount of female refs and coaches.
The University of North Texas announced Tuesday a $1 million donation toward its athletic center expansion project by Wilson and Jane Jones. According to the Denton Record-Chronicle, UNT is aiming to expand the venue that opened in 2005 in two phases. The first phase will increase the size of the area dedicated to strength and conditioning to more than 20,000 square feet. UNT currently has the second-smallest weight room among schools in the American Athletic Conference at 6,180 square feet. UNT said Monday it has raised in excess of $4.4 million from 38 donors toward the project.
Boise State women's basketball has received a $1 million dollar donation, director of athletics Jeramiah Dickey announced Thursday. The donor has asked to remain anonymous. The donation is allocated for the women's basketball Enhancement Fund that supports strategic priorities such as recruiting, strength and conditioning, nutrition, player development, academic support services, facility maintenance and improvement, coaching staff retention and equipment.
Total amount of these gifts:
$32,000,000
