Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Through the Crawford Family Foundation, University of Colorado alum Jeff Crawford and his wife, Orsi, have committed $6 million to support CU Athletics over the next three years. According to the athletic department's April 17 announcement, half of the Crawfords' gift will go toward the Athletic Director's Discretionary Fund, which is being renamed the George Family Athletic Director's Fund in honor of athletic director emeritus Rick George's 13 years at the head of the department. This fund supports the greatest needs of CU Athletics, from top-caliber coaching support to star athlete identification and retention, as well as fully fund revenue sharing. The remainder of the Crawfords' gift will support the Crawford Family WHOLE Student-Athlete Program, which was launched in 2021 with support from the Crawford Family Foundation. The WHOLE Program — which stands for Wellness Health Optimal Life Experience — brings a first-in-class, comprehensive, evidence-based model of physical, psychological, academic, leadership and career wellbeing support for all of CU's student-athletes.
Utah State University vice president and director of athletics Cameron Walker announced Tuesday an anonymous $1.5 million pledge to the athletics department. Despite not previously donating to Utah State Athletics at this level, the family said it was essential to step up and sustain the department's momentum entering the new Pac-12 Conference, per the announcement. The gift is the fourth $750,000 or more pledge since the start of Utah State's Show Me initiative.
Christopher “Kit” and Diana Smith have pledged $1 million to create the Kit and Diana Smith Athletics Scholarship at the University of Kansas, as part of a larger $3 million donation that will also establish scholarships within the KU laws school from which Kit Smith graduated. According to the university's April 17 announcement, the Kit and Diana Smith Athletics Scholarship will provide scholarships for student-athletes participating in rowing, soccer, softball, swimming and diving, volleyball and tennis.
Boise State University has received a $1 million donation designated mostly to the athletic department in support the North End Zone Project, AD Excellence Fund and Broncos football. The donor, who sits on the Boise State University Foundation Board, has requested to remain anonymous, according to the school's Tuesday announcement. The gift brings membership to 321 in the Lyle Smith Society (LSS) , a philanthropic giving option launched by the Bronco Athletic Association in December 2020. Funds from the society position Bronco student-athletes for greater success in the classroom, in competition and in life after graduation.
Total amount of these gifts:
$9,500,000
Running total for 2026:
$327,242,000
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2025:
$1,671,578,500
