Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Wharton-Smith Inc., one of Central Florida’s largest general contractor and construction management firms, has pledged $1.5 million in support of the Hagle Football Gateway project at the University of Central Florida, underscoring the company’s long-standing commitment to UCF and its athletic programs. According to the UCF announcement, the Hagle Football Gateway project is a transformative initiative aimed at enhancing UCF’s football facilities. It includes the construction of the Taylor A. Gerring Football Center, Wayne Densch Practice Complex, Nicholson Plaza, and McNamara Cove, which will feature a recovery river and hydrotherapy amenities.
Saint Martin’s University in Lacey, Wash., has received an anonymous gift of $1.5 million — the largest single donation in the athletic department's history — to launch its baseball facility renovation project. According to Tuesday's announcement, the initial phase will include critical improvements to the field and enclosing the existing batting cages. These upgrades will elevate the overall experience for athletes and fans alike, bolster athlete recruitment and retention, and further position Saints Athletics to be the hometown team in the greater Lacey community.
A lead gift from Coastal Carolina University donor David Sage and family will launch the Support Her CCU Women's Athletics Endowment to benefit all Chanticleers female student-athletes, the school announced earlier this month. The Sage Family will donate up to $500,000 to the fund, which will provide non-budgeted support to Coastal's 13 women's athletics programs — basketball, beach volleyball, dance, cheerleading, cross country, golf, indoor and outdoor track and field, lacrosse, soccer, softball, tennis and volleyball. The Support Her Endowment is seen as crucial for raising the bar of competitive excellence for CCU women's athletics by providing needed funding in the following areas: High-Impact Facilities, Enhanced Student-Athlete Experience and Resources For Scholarship
Total amount of these gifts:
$3,500,000
Running total for 2025:
$74,253,500
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2024:
$943,830,339
