Kansas University receives $300 million record-breaking surprise from David Booth, among largest gifts in college sports

The University of Kansas announced Wednesday it received one of the largest single gifts in the history of college athletics. Kansas has received a $300 million gift from donor David Booth, the largest in school history and believed to be among the richest in the history of college sports, according to news agency Associated Press. The 300 million gift from David Booth comes just days before the Kansas Jayhawks football season's kickoff against Fresno State on August 23.

David Booth, a graduate of both Lawrence High School and KU, is an investing legend and founder of Dimensional Fund Advisors — a global investment firm that manages $853 billion in assets as of June 30, 2025. He already has his name on the football stadium.

"One of life's greatest privileges is being able to give back to the people and places that gave so much to you," Booth said in a statement. "KU and Lawrence are a big part of my story, and it means a lot to support the community that invested in me. Philanthropy, like investing, pays dividends over time. Each gift compounds, creating opportunities not just for today, but for years to come. This is really about the future we're building."


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David Booth's $300m gift to Kanas

Of that $300 million, $75 million will go toward launching the second phase of a $448 million overhaul of the Jayhawks’ football stadium and the abutting Gateway District, a multi-use development planned next to the stadium that includes a new hotel, retail and restaurant spaces, student housing, parking and an outdoor event plaza.

Of that $300 million, $75 million will go toward launching the second phase of a $448 million overhaul of the Jayhawks’ football stadium and the abutting Gateway District, a multi-use development planned next to the stadium that includes a new hotel, retail and restaurant spaces, student housing, parking and an outdoor event plaza.

Kansas athletic director Travis Goff said the remainder of the gift was expected to generate a stream of income for the athletic department that could last for generations. “There is no more generous and impactful Jayhawk, and we are so fortunate to call him a friend and mentor,” Goff said.

Who is David Booth?

David Booth is founder of global investment firm Dimensional Fund Advisors, which managed $853 billion in assets as of June 30. The longtime benefactor made a $50 million pledge in 2017 to help with the overhaul of the football stadium, which at the time was the largest donation in KU history. He has given several other financial gifts to the university, including $4.3 million to buy and donate James Naismith’s original rules of basketball.

The Jayhawks’ football stadium was renamed after Booth in 2017, when he pledged $50 million over five years to renovate the venue.

The Kansas football team played six games last season in the Kansas City area while the stadium underwent renovations. The Jayhawks are set to play their first game at Memorial Stadium on Aug. 23 against Fresno State.

(With inputs from AP)