Welcome to Fundraising Friday, AB Today's weekly digest of recent developments in development.
Michigan State University alums John and Becky Duffey have made a $10 million commitment to FOR SPARTA that will be used in support of the Michigan State football program, including improvements at Spartan Stadium. According to the MSU athletic department's Thursday announcement, FOR SPARTA is a $1 billion initiative focused on elevating facilities, enhancing the student-athlete experience and strengthening opportunities across Michigan State Athletics, and is part of MSU's $4 billion Uncommon Will, Far Better World campaign. The Duffeys' gift is the third $10 million donation to FOR SPARTA since Oct. 1.
Mustang Partners announced Thursday a $5 million gift from Southern Methodist University alums Matthew "Matt" Fleeger and Valerie "Candee" Fleeger and the Fleeger Family Foundation in support of SMU Athletics. The gift to the Student-Athlete Benefit Fund will provide resources to help SMU student-athletes thrive academically, athletically, and personally. In recognition of this gift, which also contains a significant NIL component, the SMU football locker room will be named the "Fleeger Family Locker Room" at Gerald J. Ford Stadium. The Fleegers' family connection to SMU includes their two oldest children, Dalton and Lyla, who are currently SMU students.
Washington State University alum Glenn Osterhout plans to leave $6.5 million to WSU through his estate, including a $600,000 to Cougar Athletics over the next three years. As reported Tuesday by PullmanRadio, the athletics funding will support student-athlete scholarships and the Football Excellence Fund, which helps fund revenue sharing.
Total amount of these gifts:
$15,600,000
Running total for 2026:
$771,708,347
Total amount tracked by AB Today in 2025:
$1,671,578,500
