Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones to Invest $387 Million in HBCUs Over the Next Five Years, Expanding His Humanitarian FootprintJerry Jones Drops $387M for Education Equality
Jerry Jones Drops $387M for Education Equality
Published: November 11, 2025
ATLANTA — Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has announced one of the most ambitious philanthropic commitments in sports history: a $387 million donation over the next five years to support Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) across the United States.
Among the first beneficiaries is Spelman College in Atlanta, which has already received a $38 million gift — the largest in its 140-year history — to fund scholarships, expand educational opportunities, and modernize campus technology infrastructure.
“Education is the foundation of equality. I want to see young Black students rise, achieve, and lead the world of tomorrow,” Jones said during a press conference in Atlanta.
A 5-Year Plan for Educational Equality
According to the Jones Family Foundation, the $387 million commitment will be distributed over five years, focusing on three major pillars:
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Expanding full scholarships and financial aid for underrepresented students.
Investing in technology, artificial intelligence, and campus infrastructure at HBCUs.
Developing leadership and entrepreneurship programs for young innovators.
A spokesperson for the foundation explained:
“Mr. Jones wants this investment to do more than fund education — he wants it to transform communities. This is a long-term commitment, not a one-time donation.”
Spelman College – A Beacon of Hope and Progress
Spelman College, the renowned women’s institution in Atlanta, is the first major recipient in Jones’s five-year initiative. The $38 million contribution will be used to:
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Double the number of full-ride scholarships within the next three years.
Establish a state-of-the-art Innovation Center focused on AI, data science, and creative technology.
Create an emergency student aid fund to ensure financial hardship doesn’t end educational dreams.
Spelman President Helene Gayle expressed her deep gratitude:
“This gift is more than financial support — it’s a statement of belief that young Black women can lead the world when given the opportunity.”
From the NFL Field to the Classroom
Jerry Jones — who turned the Dallas Cowboys into a global sports empire valued at over $9 billion — is now channeling his influence into education and human development. In recent years, he has:
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Funded schools and educational programs across Texas.
Provided scholarships and technology grants to underprivileged students.
Launched a special internship initiative for HBCU students at the Cowboys’ headquarters in Frisco, Texas.
Jones explained his motivation:
“Football taught me the power of connection. But education — that’s the real power to change lives.”
A Statement of Responsibility and Compassion
Jones once said in an interview that he would “keep giving until the vault runs dry.” With this five-year, $387 million pledge — and the historic $38 million gift to Spelman — the Cowboys owner continues to build a legacy not only of NFL success but of empathy, leadership, and lasting impact.
“True success isn’t measured by trophies,” Jones said. “It’s measured by the lives you lift up and the legacy you leave behind.”
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