$100 million gift: Tench and Simone Coxe make transformational donation to university
In a landmark act of philanthropy that ranks among the most significant gifts in the University of Texas system’s history, Tench Coxe and Simone Coxe have pledged $100 million to the University of Texas at Austin, deepening their commitment to a city they now call home and to an institution that sits at the heart of Texas’ intellectual and civic life.
The gift, announced today, reflects both the scale of the Coxes’ ambition and the depth of their belief in Austin as a global center for innovation, education, and cultural leadership. Though not native Texans, Tench and Simone Coxe have become closely identified with Austin over the past decade, drawn initially by its blend of entrepreneurial energy, academic excellence, and distinctive civic character.
Friends and colleagues describe the couple’s relationship with the city as one that evolved from admiration to genuine stewardship—an evolution now made tangible through a donation that will shape generations of students and faculty.
University officials confirmed that the $100 million contribution will be directed toward academic excellence, student access, and long-term institutional capacity.
While specific programmatic allocations will be finalized in partnership with university leadership, the intent is clear: to strengthen UT Austin’s ability to compete at the highest levels globally while remaining a public institution deeply rooted in opportunity and service.
In an era of escalating costs and intensifying competition for talent, the Coxes’ gift provides both immediate momentum and enduring stability.
For the Coxes, the donation is as much about people as it is about prestige. In conversations surrounding the gift, they have emphasized the transformative power of public education and the role universities play in unlocking human potential at scale.
Austin, they note, offered them not only a place to live and build community, but a front-row seat to the catalytic role UT Austin plays in shaping the region’s economic vitality, cultural richness, and civic leadership. Supporting the university, in their view, is inseparable from supporting the city itself.
UT Austin President and senior administrators praised the gift as a defining moment for the university, underscoring its significance amid mounting pressures facing public institutions nationwide.
Beyond its size, they noted, the donation sends a powerful signal about confidence in UT Austin’s mission and trajectory. It affirms the university’s standing as a magnet for world-class faculty, a launchpad for first-generation and low-income students, and a driver of research that resonates far beyond Texas.
Philanthropic observers say the Coxes’ decision also reflects a broader shift in American giving, particularly among individuals who choose to invest deeply in adopted hometowns rather than legacy geographies. In Austin—a city experiencing rapid growth alongside growing inequality—the gift is expected to ripple outward, reinforcing the university’s role as an anchor institution with the capacity to convene, uplift, and innovate.
While the Coxes have long supported educational, civic, and cultural initiatives, this contribution represents a new scale of engagement.
It positions them among the most consequential benefactors in UT Austin’s modern history and cements their legacy not only as donors but also as partners in the university’s future.
As Austin continues its ascent on the global stage, the Coxes’ $100 million gift stands as a decisive investment in the idea that public education, when boldly supported, remains one of the most powerful engines of opportunity and progress.