Nike Founder Phil Knight’s Billion-Dollar Gift to University of Oregon Creates Largest Single Donation in Public University History

Quick Smiles:

• Phil Knight and his wife Penny surprise University of Oregon with a record-setting billion-dollar gift.
• The donation establishes a new national benchmark for philanthropic giving to public universities.
• The Knights’ generosity is expected to transform cancer research and campus-wide opportunities for generations of students.

Phil Knight is no stranger to giving back to the University of Oregon, but even longtime supporters were stunned when the Nike co-founder phoned university president Karl Scholz earlier this month with news of a record-breaking pledge.

The Knights announced they will donate $1 billion to the university—the largest single gift ever received by a public institution of higher learning in the United States.

“We are deeply grateful for the remarkable generosity of Penny and Phil Knight,” said President Scholz, noting the family’s history of supporting education and innovation in Oregon.

The contribution will expand the Knight Cancer Institute, advance student scholarships, and fund new academic programs across multiple disciplines.

“This gift is about investing in people—students, researchers, and the next generation of leaders who will shape our future,” said Dr. Brian Druker, director of the Knight Cancer Institute.

University officials say the donation will be distributed over several years and will touch nearly every corner of campus life, from cutting-edge medical research to arts and athletics.

“It’s not just about the money,” added Knight. “It’s about helping the place that helped shape who I am today.”

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