USC just shattered its fundraising record by nearly $100 million—thanks partly to the billionaire family behind the Houston Texans

Several major universities had a record-breaking donor year in 2025, including the University of Oklahoma , Florida State University , and the University of Tennessee .

But the University of South Carolina had a banner year , shattering its fundraising record by nearly $100 million.

The USC system raised a record $357.6 million in private donations during fiscal year 2026, up from its previous record of $259.7 million just one year before.

Several large investments led the record-breaking year, including one from the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, established by the late billionaire Houston Texans founder, who died in November 2018.

Janice McNair recently died on July 14, 2026.

Robert, a 1958 USC graduate, and his wife, Janice, established the McNair Scholars program at USC in 1998.

The merit-based scholarship is offered to the top 20 out-of-state students each year entering the South Carolina Honors College.

“Those who demonstrate outstanding academic achievements with a commitment to service and leadership represent our future,” Robert and Janice McNair said in a joint statement published on their foundation’s website.

“We are delighted to provide scholarships to these deserving students.” In 2026, the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation donated $25 million to USC, part of the couple’s longstanding philanthropic partnership with the university.

All in, the foundation has given at least $81 million to USC since 1998, starting with a $20 million gift to launch the McNair Scholars program.

Other major gifts included $10 million to sustain the scholars program , $8 million to found the McNair Institute for Entrepreneurism and Free Enterprise, $18 million for more scholar awards, and the $25 million gift this year.

It’s unclear whether the $25 million gift is going toward just the scholars program.

The foundation didn’t immediately respond to Fortune ’s request for comment.

How Robert McNair made his fortune and gave it away McNair’s path to billionaire status wasn’t linear.