By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, February 6, 2025
In an inspiring act of generosity, Coco Gauff is turning her prize money into a source of empowerment for the next generation. The young American tennis star has made a remarkable donation of $100,000 to create scholarships specifically for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are passionate about competitive tennis.
“We are tremendously grateful to Coco Gauff for her incredible $100,000 contribution to UNCF, which will have a profound effect on HBCU students aspiring to shine in competitive tennis,” expressed Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer of UNCF. “Her dedication not only emphasizes her commitment to education and sport but also sets a powerful example for future student-athletes to follow their dreams. This generosity highlights the necessity of supporting our emerging leaders, ensuring they possess the resources to excel both on and off the court.”
The newly launched Coco Gauff Scholarship Program will be overseen by UNCF, with scholarships set to be awarded to qualifying competitive tennis players starting in May. More details will be available at UNCF.org/scholarships.
Coco 👏🏾Gauff 👏🏾 Makes history as one of the youngest major gift donors in UNCF’s history!
@CocoGauff continues to achieve great things on and off the court! Her $100,000 contribution to UNCF will positively impact the lives of HBCU students striving for excellence in competitive tennis. Thank you, Coco! #BHM pic.twitter.com/OBFXc7Bs0a
— UNCF (@UNCF) February 4, 2025
“My family’s history with HBCUs runs deep, going back to my great-great-grandfather,” Gauff shared in a heartfelt statement. “My relatives have all been influenced by HBCUs, and their impact on our identity is immense. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis is personally significant to me.
“As a young Black athlete, I recognize how crucial it is to see individuals who resemble me thriving in both education and sports. I aim to assist the next generation of student-athletes in pursuing their tennis dreams alongside their academic aspirations. My hope is for this scholarship to instill confidence in young Black players, reinforcing the idea that they have a robust community supporting them and a bright future to look forward to.”
In 2025, Gauff has also championed other causes. Earlier this year, she joined an investment group for the new women’s 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled, in January.
“My dad always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play basketball. Haha, sorry Dad, but this is as close as it gets,” Gauff humorously wrote on X when the news broke. “On a serious note, I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to uplift women’s sports, and I’m super excited to be part of the @Unrivaledwbb family! Can’t wait to see what unfolds.”
As reported by Forbes, Gauff experienced one of the most successful seasons ever for a female athlete, with an estimated earnings of $34.4 million, second only to Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.
