Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight Pledges $1 Billion to University of Oregon for Engineering School
Eugene, Saturday, 26 September 2026.
Billionaire Phil Knight has donated $1 billion to establish a new engineering college at the University of Oregon, marking the largest contribution ever made to a U.S. public flagship university.
Nike Co-Founder Phil Knight Pledges $1 Billion to University of Oregon for Engineering School
Nike (NYSE: NKE) co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny have pledged $1 billion to the University of Oregon, marking one of the largest single contributions to a U.S. public flagship university [1][2]. The announcement was made on 23 September 2026, designating funds primarily for the establishment of a new college of engineering at Knight’s alma mater in Eugene, Oregon [1][4]. This landmark donation is expected to create a significant long-term pipeline for regional technological research, innovation, and workforce development [2][5].
Strategic Timing Amidst Budgetary Challenges
The funding will support the creation of a full undergraduate engineering program over the next decade, addressing a critical need for skilled engineers in the state [1][3]. This commitment arrives at a pivotal moment, as the university recently announced $65 million in budget cuts due to enrollment declines and financial challenges [3]. The new engineering college will be housed within the existing Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact, supporting new faculty and expanded facilities with an emphasis on bioengineering and related fields [5].
A Legacy of Philanthropy and Historical Context
This transaction marks the largest single donation ever received by a public university, building upon the Knights’ extensive history of giving to the institution [4]. The Knights’ total commitment to the university’s Knight Campus now exceeds $2 billion, following prior gifts of $500 million in 2016 and $500 million in 2021 for the scientific research complex [1]. Phil Knight, 88, holds an estimated net worth of approximately $23 billion, enabling a level of philanthropy that continues to shape the educational landscape [1].
Recent Philanthropic Activity and Economic Impact
This donation follows a pattern of significant recent giving, occurring just one week after the Knight family announced a $1.1 billion donation gift to Providence St. Vincent Medical Center and Providence Heart Institute in Portland [2][4]. University of Oregon President Karl Scholz noted that the gift gives the university the ability to scale innovation and meet the demand for skilled engineering required by the industries of tomorrow without placing that financial burden on state taxpayers [1]. The program aims to help ease the state’s shortage of engineers while navigating a complex federal funding environment [1][5].