Tennis sensation Coco Gauff is using her prize money to make a lasting impact. The U.S. Open champion has donated $100,000 to provide scholarships for students at Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) who are pursuing competitive tennis.
š¬ “We are incredibly grateful to Coco Gauff for her generous $100,000 gift to UNCF, which will significantly impact the lives of HBCU students aspiring to excel in competitive tennis,” said Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., executive vice president and chief development officer at UNCF.
š The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, administered by UNCF, will award scholarships to eligible student-athletes starting in May 2025. More details will be available at UNCF.org/scholarships.
š¢ @CocoGauff makes history on and off the court!
š One of the youngest major donors in UNCF history, Gauff’s $100,000 donation will support HBCU students competing in college tennis. Thank you, Coco! š¤ #HBCU #TennisForAll #BlackExcellence #BHM
Coco šš¾Gauff šš¾ One of the youngest major gift donors in UNCFās history!
@CocoGauff continues to make history on the court & off the court! Her $100,000 donation to UNCF will impact the lives of HBCU students aspiring to excel in competitive tennis. Thank you, Coco! #BHM pic.twitter.com/OBFXc7Bs0aā UNCF (@UNCF) February 4, 2025
āMy family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going back to my great-great-grandfather,” Gauff shared. “From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have played a huge role in shaping who we are. Supporting UNCF in creating opportunities for student-athletes in tennis means a lot to me.”
ā Representation matters! Gauff emphasized the importance of seeing Black athletes thrive in both sports and education.
š” “I want to help the next generation of student-athletes pursue their passion for tennis while achieving their academic goals. My hope is that 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 ahead.”
Beyond tennis, Gauff continues to invest in womenās sports. In January 2025, she joined the investment group behind the new womenās 3-on-3 basketball league, Unrivaled.
š “My dad always wanted me to follow in his footsteps and play basketball. Haha, sorry dad, but this is as close as it will get!” Gauff joked on X (formerly Twitter). “In all seriousness, Iām incredibly grateful for the opportunity to uplift womenās sports and join the @Unrivaledwbb family!”
š„ Breaking financial records! According to Forbes, Gauff recorded the third-highest earning season ever for a female athlete, bringing in an estimated $34.4 millionāonly trailing behind Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.
š Coco Gauff is not just a champion on the courtāsheās shaping the future of sports and education. Her dedication to HBCU scholarships, women’s sports, and inspiring young athletes proves that her influence extends far beyond tennis.
š Support the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program: UNCF.org/scholarships
š¬ Join the conversation!
š¢ #CocoGauff #TennisForAll #HBCUScholarships #WomenInSports #BlackAthletes #FutureChampions