Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
The Jacksonville, Fla., City Council recently voted to allocate $3 million in city funds toward a state-of-the-art esports venue inside the John A. Delaney Student Union at the University of North Florida. As reported by Jacksonville Today, UNF officials told the city that the ability to host national tournaments for competitive video gaming — a multibillion dollar industry — will help the school grow its enrollment and its science, technology, engineering and math graduates.
Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
The Jacksonville, Fla., City Council recently voted to allocate $3 million in city funds toward a state-of-the-art esports venue inside the John A. Delaney Student Union at the University of North Florida. As reported by Jacksonville Today, UNF officials told the city that the ability to host national tournaments for competitive video gaming — a multibillion dollar industry — will help the school grow its enrollment and its science, technology, engineering and math graduates.
A significant portion of the largest gift ever bestowed upon the University of North Carolina Asheville will be directed toward athletics. The landmark $5 million gift from a local family includes $1.8 million earmarked for the Bulldogs — with that amount representing the largest gift in athletic department history. According to the UNC Ashville athletics website, the commitment to athletics will be split, with $1 million going to the Janet R. Cone Athletics Endowment to support "Dream Bigger. Achieve More" strategic priorities, and the remaining $800,000 will establish two fully funded and endowed "Janet R. Cone Gateway Scholarships" for Bulldog student-athletes who are first-generation students.
Northwood University in Midland, Mich., has announced a $250,000 gift from alum Alan Chandler to establish the Edward Chandler Baseball Endowment, named in honor of his father, a retired Detroit Police Officer. According to the university, the endowment will provide critical, above-budget support for Northwood’s baseball program, enhancing areas such as coaches’ salaries, coaching aids and equipment, academic support for student-athletes and team travel.
Total amount of these gifts:
$5,050,000
Running total for 2025:
$345,548,500
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2024:
$943,830,339
