Ole Miss athletics nearly doubles fundraising record. Here's where money will go
The Ole Miss athletics department and the Ole Miss Athletics Foundation have shattered their annual fundraising record over the past fiscal year.
Ole Miss raised a record $107.9 million during the 2025-26 fiscal year, the school announced July 23. The previous record was $55.4 million.
The wave of donations comes after the winningest season in Ole Miss football history. The Rebels went 13-2 in 2025 and made their first College Football Playoff appearance. Ole Miss won CFP games over Tulane and Georgia before losing the Fiesta Bowl to Miami in the semifinals.
The funds will be used to support new scholarships, capital projects, revenue sharing and deferred maintenance at athletics venues, according to the release. Some of the projects are a new golf facility, renovating the basketball locker rooms, a new field at Ole Miss football’s practice facility and a new field at Swayze Field.
“Our athletics program is experiencing a historic period of success, and none of it would be possible without the steadfast support of the Ole Miss family. We are sincerely grateful for your continued enthusiasm, generosity and commitment,” Ole Miss athletic director Keith Carter said in the release.
The fiscal year ran from July 1, 2025 to June 30, 2026. The total does not include name, image and likeness (NIL) contributions.
The Rebels are coming off the eighth season in program history where football season tickets sold out. It was the second consecutive year.
Ole Miss said the number of donors in the Vaught Society grew to over 1,000 members in March for the first time. There are 1,041 members of July 23. Those members combined to pledge $65 million in new donations.
Ole Miss is naming three athletics facilities to recognize donorship. The Ole Miss softball stadium will be Alicia and Mark Bourne Stadium. The courtside club at the Sandy and John Black Pavilion will be named the Rayner Family Courtside Club and the field club seating area at Vaught-Hemingway Stadium will be named the Berry Family Field Club.
“This milestone reflects the incredible passion and commitment of Rebel Nation, which is helping drive the continued success and momentum of Ole Miss athletics,” Ole Miss Athletics Foundation CEO Denson Hollis said in the release.
Sam Hutchens covers Ole Miss for the Clarion Ledger. Email him at Shutchens@gannett.com or reach him on X at @Sam_Hutchens_
This article originally appeared on Mississippi Clarion Ledger: Ole Miss athletics nearly doubles fundraising record. Here’s where money will go
