Auburn Athletics celebrate record-breaking $93.1 million fundraising year

(Auburn Athletics)

Auburn Athletics and Tigers Unlimited Foundation (TUF) have announced a record-breaking $93.1 million fundraising year for fiscal year 2026, the largest in the history of the department.

“Once again, the Auburn Family has answered the call, playing an imperative role in helping Auburn thrive during the most transformative period in college athletics history,” athletics director John Cohen said in a release from the school. “As we embark on the ‘Ever Auburn’ capital campaign, the generosity of Auburn people will continue to position Auburn student-athletes to excel at the highest level.”

This is the second straight year Tigers Unlimited Foundation has broken its own record with a fiscal year 2025 total of $87.6 million, shattering the previous fundraising record by more than $11 million.

“The momentum we’ve built is a direct result of a unified effort across Auburn Athletics and TUF,” Deputy Athletic Director and Executive Director of Tigers Unlimited Tim Jackson said. “Our team has remained focused on creating meaningful opportunities for engagement, and the Auburn Family continues to respond at an extraordinary level.”

Cohen has overseen a growth in yearly funds of more than 70 percent since his arrival in November of 2023, continuing to set benchmarks each and every year even through the challenge of the changing world of college athletics.

For the fourth consecutive year, football has sold out of season tickets and streaks have been maintained in other sports as well, with season ticket selling out in men’s basketball (12 years), softball (six), baseball (six), and gymnastics (five).

“As college athletics continues to evolve, our staff has taken a proactive and aggressive approach to maximizing every available resource. Over the past few years, we have asked a great deal of our donors, and time and again they have stepped up while contributing at record levels through philanthropic support, ticket-priority programs, and annual giving initiatives,” Senior Associate AD for Development Jacob Jordan said. “We are deeply grateful to every member of the Auburn Family, whose generosity, at every level, continues to make an impact on our student-athletes and programs.”

Michael Brauner is a Senior Sports Analyst and Contributing Writer for Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @MBraunerWNSP and hear him every weekday morning from 6 to 9 a.m. on “The Opening Kickoff” on WNSP-FM 105.5, available free online.