When Coco Gauff announced a $150,000 contribution to the United Negro College Fund, the moment resonated far beyond the tennis world. The World No. 3’s expanded commitment to HBCU tennis scholarships drew heartfelt reactions from her parents, Corey and Candi, who shared their pride publicly as their daughter turned sustained excellence on court into meaningful opportunity off it.
Coco Gauff’s Parents Corey and Candi React With Pride As the American Expands Her UNCF Commitment
On Jan. 20, 2026, she revealed that the six-figure gift would extend the Coco Gauff Scholarship Program, deepening support for student-athletes competing in intercollegiate tennis at Historically Black Colleges and Universities. The goal is practical and focused: help recipients manage tuition and academic costs while continuing to compete, a balance that often strains athletes at smaller programs with fewer resources.
“I am honored once again to give back and support the incredible work that UNCF does to help HBCU students get to and through college,” Gauff said. “Education has the power to change lives, and I hope this gift will help students achieve their dreams.”
The news struck an emotional chord at home. Corey Gauff reshared the announcement on his Instagram story, captioning it, “Proud!!” Candi Gauff echoed the sentiment in her own way, reposting the news accompanied by a heart emoji.
Their reactions carried added weight given the role they have played in shaping their daughter’s path. Candi, a former track and field standout at Florida State University, and Corey, who played basketball at Georgia State University, moved their family from Georgia to Florida to secure elite training.
They homeschooled Coco to protect both her education and her schedule, a decision that paid off as she rose to the top of the sport. Today, Corey and Candi remain familiar faces courtside alongside Coco’s brothers, Codey and Cameron, cheering on the former World No. 2 as she continues to pair competitive ambition with a growing commitment to give back.
What Impact Has Gauff’s Scholarship Program Already Made at HBCUs?
The latest donation builds on a foundation laid one year earlier. In February 2025, Gauff launched the scholarship with a $100,000 gift, becoming the youngest major gifts donor in the UNCF’s 82-year history at the time.
The program has already delivered tangible results, awarding need-based scholarships of up to $8,500 to 10 tennis student-athletes at Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Albany State University, Clark Atlanta University, Howard University, Livingstone College, and Tuskegee University.
MORE: Coco Gauff’s Mother Candi and Father Corey React to Daughter’s Forbes 30 Under 30 Inclusion
Gauff has spoken openly about why the mission matters to her, pointing to a family lineage connected to HBCUs that stretches back to her great-great-grandfather and includes numerous relatives who are alumni.
Gauff is currently in Melbourne for the 2026 Australian Open. Seeded third, Gauff kicked off the tournament with a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Kamilla Rakhimova. The American tennis star is facing Olga Danilović in the second round, as of this writing.
Projections from PFSN’s interactive simulator give the American an 86% chance of coming through in what will be the pair’s first meeting on the WTA Tour. The winner of that match will move on to play either local qualifier Storm Hunter or Hailey Baptiste in the third round.
