Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Iowa State University announced Thursday the establishment of the Jamie and Ellen Pollard Endowed Director of Athletics position, made possible through a $5 million commitment from an anonymous alumni couple. The gift creates a permanently endowed leadership position honoring the Pollards' exceptional service, vision and enduring impact on Cyclone Athletics. Jamie Pollard's stewardship of the CyTown multipurpose district at ISU was featured in the November 2025 issue of Athletic Business. The endowed position will help continue to shape the Iowa State student-athlete experience and advance the department's highest priorities for ongoing achievement.
Coast Carolina University secured separate donations totaling $2 million this week. Myrtle Beach couple Chuck and Jackie Tenney's $1 million gift will support the football team’s continued growth, and a balcony inside the Norman Field House will be named after them, as reported Monday by local CBS affiliate WBTW. A like-sized donation followed from Coastal Carolina alum Patrick Sparks and wife Susan. Sparks has served as a university trusty since 2017 and is its current vice chairman. In recognition of their contribution, the former West Zone within CCU’s athletics facilities will be named the Sparks Family Zone, according to WBTW.
Temple University Athletics and Institutional Advancement announced Thursday a $500,000 anonymous gift to the Temple Football Competitive Excellence Fund, designed to elevate the Owls' program and provide the resources needed to recruit, retain and develop championship-level talent. The Competitive Excellence Fund directly enhances Temple's ability to compete at the highest level while supporting the holistic development of student-athletes, according to the athletic department's announcement.
East Texas A&M University recently announced a historic $8 million gift from alumnus Rene' Griffin, marking the largest single philanthropic contribution in the history of the university and Lion Athletics. The gift from Griffin is also the largest naming rights gift in the Southland Conference’s 63-year history. In recognition, the new event center currently under construction on the East Texas A&M campus will be named the Rene' Griffin Event Center for the next 20 years. The naming was approved Feb. 5 by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents. Construction of the Rene' Griffin Event Center is expected to be completed in early 2027 and will instantly become the premier multi-use event space across all of Northeast Texas.
Total amount of these gifts:
$15,500,000
Running total for 2026:
$181,950,000
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2025:
$1,671,578,500
