By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday February 6, 2025
Coco Gauff is utilizing her prize cash to do good on the earth. The American had delivered a $100,000 donation to offer scholarships for traditionally Black school and college (HBCU) college students taking part in aggressive tennis.
“We’re extremely grateful to Coco Gauff for her beneficiant $100,000 reward to UNCF, which is able to considerably influence the lives of HBCU college students aspiring to excel in aggressive tennis,” stated Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., govt vice chairman and chief improvement officer, UNCF. “Her dedication not solely showcases her dedication to training and athletics but in addition conjures up the following era of student-athletes to pursue their desires. This reward reinforces the significance of supporting our younger leaders and guaranteeing they’ve the sources essential to succeed each on and off the courtroom.”
The Coco Gauff Scholarship Program will probably be administered by UNCF and scholarships will probably be awarded to eligible college students who play aggressive tennis beginning in Might. Particulars will probably be forthcoming on UNCF.org/scholarships.
Coco 👏🏾Gauff 👏🏾 One of many youngest main reward donors in UNCF’s historical past!
@CocoGauff continues to make historical past on the courtroom & off the courtroom! Her $100,000 donation to UNCF will influence the lives of HBCU college students aspiring to excel in aggressive tennis. Thanks, Coco! #BHM pic.twitter.com/OBFXc7Bs0a
— UNCF (@UNCF) February 4, 2025
“My household has a deep-rooted historical past with HBCUs, going all the best way again to my nice, nice grandfather,” Gauff stated in a press release. “From aunts and uncles to cousins, HBCUs have performed an enormous position in shaping who we’re. Supporting UNCF in creating alternatives for student-athletes in tennis means quite a bit to me.
“As a younger Black athlete, I perceive how impactful it’s to see individuals who seem like me thriving in each sports activities and training. I need to assist the following era of student-athletes proceed pursuing their ardour for tennis whereas reaching their tutorial targets. My hope is that this scholarship offers extra younger Black gamers the arrogance to chase their desires, figuring out they’ve a powerful neighborhood behind them and a vivid future forward.”
Gauff has supported different causes in 2025. Earlier this 12 months, Gauff joined the funding group for the brand new girls’s basketball 3-on-3 league Unequalled in January.
“My dad at all times needed me to comply with in his footsteps and play basketball. Haha sorry dad however that is as shut as it’ll get,” Gauff wrote on X when the information broke. “In all seriousness, I’m extremely my grateful to get the chance to uplift girls’s sports activities and I’m tremendous excited to affix the @Unrivaledwbb household! I can’t wait to look at.”
In response to Forbes, Gauff Gauff recorded the third-highest incomes season ever for a feminine athlete. Her estimated $34.4 is outpaced solely by Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams.