Coco Gauff Gives Another $150,000 to UNCF for HBCU Students

Tennis star Coco Gauff has announced an additional $150,000 donation to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF), bringing her total contributions to $250,000 for students attending historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs). The gift was announced in January 2026.

Building on an earlier gift

The new money adds to the $100,000 Gauff gave in February 2025. The donation will continue to support the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, which helps HBCU student-athletes manage their studies alongside the demands of competitive tennis.

Gauff did not attend an HBCU herself, but she has said she values education and the work UNCF does to help students succeed.

Impact so far

Since the programme launched, it has supported 10 student-athletes across six HBCUs: Alabama A&M University, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Livingstone College and Tuskegee University.

Reaction from UNCF and Gauff

In a statement released by UNCF, Gauff said she was honoured to give back and support the organisation's work in helping HBCU students get to and through college. "Education has the power to change lives, and I hope this gift will help students achieve their dreams," she said.

UNCF Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer Maurice E. Jenkins Jr. thanked Gauff for her generosity and ongoing commitment to the organisation's mission. "As a role model both on and off the court, Gauff's philanthropic efforts continue to inspire young people across the nation," Jenkins said. He described the donation as a testament to her belief in the transformative power of education.