Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
The University of California, Santa Barbara athletic department has received an anonymous donation of $15 million to support facilities construction and revitalization, which includes upgrades to Caesar Uyesaka Stadium, the home of UCSB baseball. As reported by the Santa Barbara Independent, the anonymous gift is the largest donation in UCSB Athletics history and figures to significantly boost the baseball program, which has ascended to national prominence since the hiring of head coach Andrew Checketts in 2012.
University of Virginia Athletics and the Virginia Athletics Foundation announced Dec. 19 than an anonymous donor has pledged to match every dollar contributed to the Football Enhancement Fund through Aug. 30 — up to $3 million. The matching funds will enhance the overall student-athlete experience by prioritizing nutrition, while also enhancing travel and recruiting.
University of Texas at El Paso Athletics has received another significant gift as it prepares to join the Mountain West Conference in July 2026. As reported by local NBC affiliate KTSM, the Paul L. Foster Family Foundation said it will give $2.5 million to support UTEP Athletics during the transition, the university announced Monday This is the second $2.5 million gift that UTEP Athletics has received toward the transition since early December
The University of Pittsburgh has announced a $1 million gift from Ed and LyndaSue Miller to the re-established Athletic Director's Fund. Miller, a center on the Panthers football team from 1983 through 1987, was inspired to give back to the school and program that played a pivotal role in shaping his personal and professional journey. The Athletic Director's Fund serves as a cornerstone initiative designed to address the most critical needs of Pitt Athletics.
University of South Dakota director of athletics Jon Schemmel and senior associate AD and chief revenue officer Ben LeCompte have announced a $1 million gift from Doyle and Rachel Knudson. As reported by Vermillion Plain Talk, the commitment will cover nine years and create the Doyle & Rachel Knudson Athletics Fund to be utilized at the discretion of the athletic director to advance Coyote athletics.
Total amount of these gifts:
$22,500,000
Running total for 2025:
$22,500,000
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2024:
$943,830,339
