Coco Gauff Donates Huge Sum To Provide Scholarships At Historically Black Universities
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Coco Gauff has shown her generosity by giving a large amount of money to support students at historically black colleges and universities in the United States.
It is black history month in the United States, something Gauff has posted on Instagram about a few times since it began. Black History Month celebrates the achievement of people of color in a country where they did not have equal rights under the law until a few decades ago.
Gauff has spoken in the past about dealing with sticking out like a sore thumb when trying to make it as a tennis player. Serena and Venus Williams' inspirations helped her to deal with that reality.
The 20-year-old was not born into a wealthy family and has never forgotten where she came from. That was demonstrated by the significant amount she donated to help students play tennis competitively.
UNCF, the United States' largest minority education organization, announced that Gauff had donated $100,000 to give scholarships to students at historically black colleges and universities that UNCF supports.
The funds given by the WTA star will be administered through the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program. Gauff made an announcement accompanying her generous move about her family's history with historically black colleges and universities.
"My family has a deep-rooted history with HBCUs, going all the way back to my great-great-grandfather. 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. As a young Black athlete, I understand how impactful it is to see people who look like me thriving in both sports and education."
UNCF's executive vice president and Chief Development Officer, Maurice Jenkins Jr., spoke about how much Gauff's achievements on the court and her generosity off it will shape the next generation.
"Her commitment not only showcases her dedication to education and athletics but also inspires the next generation of student-athletes to pursue their dreams."
"This gift reinforces the importance of supporting our young leaders and ensuring they have the resources necessary to succeed both on and off the court."
Gauff, despite her young age, has not been shy when it comes to raising awareness about social issues and speaking about topics she believes in strongly, making her a significant voice for progress off the court.
The combination of her on-court achievements, social issue awareness, and consistent communication with her fans led SportsPro to rank her as the most marketable tennis player in the world.
Gauff's marketability was also demonstrated by her being the highest-paid female athlete in the world in 2024. She made more from endorsements and activities off the court than from earning prize money at tournaments.
The 2023 US Open champion could end her career as one of the most significant figures in tennis history. Although she has a long career ahead of her, Gauff's talent on the court and charisma and generosity off it suggest she is destined for further greatness.
