Coco Gauff is opening the door for the following technology of Black aggressive tennis gamers with the assistance of the United Negro School Fund (UNCF). This week, the nonprofit group introduced Gauff’s second reward to UNCF, supporting scholarships for student-athletes who play aggressive tennis and attend traditionally Black schools and universities (HBCUs) throughout the nation.
“Schooling has the ability to vary lives, and I hope this reward will assist college students obtain their desires,” Gauff shared in a press release posted by UNCF.
This marks Gauff’s second financial reward to the group. In 2025, the tennis champion turned one of many youngest main reward donors in UNCF’s historical past along with her $100,000 donation, launching the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program.
“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,” Maurice E. Jenkins, Jr., government vp and chief growth officer, UNCF, stated on the time. “Her dedication not solely showcases her dedication to training and athletics but additionally conjures up the following technology of student-athletes to pursue their desires. This reward reinforces the significance of supporting our younger leaders and making certain they’ve the sources essential to succeed each on and off the courtroom.”
Although Gauff, 21, didn’t attend conventional faculty, she says her household conjures up her dedication to supporting HBCUs.
“My household has a deep-rooted historical past with HBCUs, going all the best way again to my nice, great-grandfather. 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 so much to me,” she defined. “As a younger Black athlete, I perceive how impactful it’s to see individuals who appear to be me thriving in each sports activities and training. I wish to assist the following technology of student-athletes proceed pursuing their ardour for tennis whereas reaching their tutorial targets.”
“My hope is that this scholarship provides Black gamers the boldness to chase their desires, realizing they’ve a powerful neighborhood behind them and a shiny future forward,” she concluded.
