Gauff Gives $150,000 to UNCF Scholarships
The tennis star's latest gift will fund scholarships for student athletes at historically Black colleges and universities.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Scholarships
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Tennis star Coco Gauff donated $150,000 to the United Negro College Fund, bringing her total contributions to the organization to $250,000. The gift will fund scholarships for HBCU student athletes who compete in tennis.
Why it matters
The donation aims to ease financial pressure on student athletes who balance college expenses with competitive sports. It extends the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which UNCF administers.
Gauff's latest $150,000 gift follows an earlier $100,000 donation, for a total of $250,000 to UNCF. The scholarship program has so far helped 10 eligible student athletes at six HBCUs.
The players
Coco Gauff
Gauff is a professional tennis player who won Grand Slam singles titles at the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open.
United Negro College Fund
The United Negro College Fund is a nonprofit organization that supports students at historically Black colleges and universities.
The details
The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program is administered by UNCF and supports student athletes at HBCUs who compete in tennis. The program currently serves students at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Livingstone College and Tuskegee University.
Timeline
Earlier in 2026: Gauff made an initial $100,000 donation to UNCF.
November 4, 2026: Gauff's additional $150,000 donation was reported.
Season Trajectory
The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program extends athlete-funded support to HBCU tennis players, a model that builds on the existing UNCF scholarship structure. The additional $150,000 expands the program's reach beyond its current six institutions.
Tennis players at the six participating HBCUs may be eligible for the scholarships UNCF administers. Students interested in the program can contact the institutions named in the scholarship program.
The takeaway
Athletic talent paired with financial support can help student athletes at HBCUs stay in school while competing at a high level. Donations to scholarship funds like this one show how private giving can expand access to higher education.
Further reading
Explore more on Scholarships for student athletes at historically Black colleges and universities.
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