Coco Gauff makes another big donation to HBCUs

tennis star Coco Gauff is once again using its platform to make a powerful investment in the future of black education, announcing its latest donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF). The Grand Slam champion – widely praised for pairing athletic excellence with significant social impact – continues her commitment to supporting institutions that have long advanced opportunity, culture and leadership within the black community.

UNCF revealed that Gauff has donated $150,000 to support scholarships for student-athletes playing tennis at historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The latest contribution follows a Gauff made a $100,000 donation to the organization last yearbringing her total giving to $250,000 over the past two years. With these contributions, Gauff became UNCF’s youngest major gift donor. According to Gauff, her philanthropy is closely aligned with UNCF’s mission to expand access and opportunity for HBCU students.

“It is an honor to once again give back and support the incredible work that UNCF does to help HBCU students get to and through college,” Gauff said. “Education has the power to change lives and I hope this gift will help students achieve their dreams.”

As a result of her generosity, UNCF established the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which has provided support to students attending Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Livingston College and Tuskegee University.

“I hope this scholarship gives more young black players the confidence to chase their dreams, knowing they have a strong community behind them and a bright future,” Gauff added.

UNCF leadership praised Gauff’s continued commitment to the organization’s mission.

“We are extremely grateful to Coco Gauff for her generosity and continued commitment to our mission,” said Maurice E. Jenkins Jr., UNCF’s executive vice president and chief development officer. “A role model on and off the field, Gauff’s philanthropic efforts continue to inspire young people across the nation.”

In an interview ahead of the Australian Open, Gauff reflected on her personal relationship HBCU and the importance of its contribution, as reported by Tennis.com.

“Yeah, that’s very important to me,” Gauff said. “If I hadn’t played tennis, I would have loved to attend an HBCU. I have family members on both sides — both of my grandmothers went to HBCUs and my uncle and aunt went to HBCUs — and growing up, I attended HBCU Classic games and events.”

She added, “Especially in tennis, HBCU programs often don’t get the funding they need. For me, it’s about uplifting marginalized communities and supporting them where I can.”

In addition to her work with UNCF, Gauff was also involved with the 2024 grant. helped renovate the tennis courts at North Carolina Central University. In honor of her US Open victory, the United States Tennis Association and its affiliates donated $38,000 to the Eagles’ athletics program.

One of the most successful athletes of her generation, Gauff is currently ranked No. 2 in singles and No. 1 in doubles. She has 11 singles titles and 10 doubles titles, including Grand Slam wins at the 2023 US Open and 2025 French Open — achievements that further underscore her impact on and off the court.

Gauff’s continued investment in HBCUs underscores a legacy that extends far beyond trophies and rankings. By intentionally channeling her success into opportunities for future generations, she helps fill access gaps while elevating black excellence in education and sports.