LEXINGTON, Ky. April 17, 2026 — The University of Kentucky’s Gatton College of Business and Economics has announced a matching challenge from The Bill Gatton Foundation, creating an opportunity to significantly increase the impact of new philanthropic support.
Through the new challenge, The Bill Gatton Foundation will provide a dollar-for-dollar match on qualifying gifts, up to $15.7 million. This generous opportunity is designed to encourage participation and broaden support for the college by increasing the value of each new contribution.
“Few people understand the power of bringing others together quite like Bill Gatton, and his foundation carries that spirit forward with remarkable purpose,” said Jake Lemon, vice president for Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement at UK. “This matching challenge is a profound act of faith — in our students, our faculty and the future of this institution. It calls us to match not just dollars, but the generosity of spirit that has always defined who we are as a university.”
Simon Sheather, Dean of the Gatton College of Business and Economics, reflected, “Philanthropic leadership like this sets a powerful example of generosity — one that enables the college to advance its mission and expand its impact. The Bill Gatton Foundation’s enduring commitment is helping shape the college’s next century, standing as a defining example of philanthropy in action.”
The match applies to new gifts received and processed between Jan. 1, 2026, and Nov. 15, 2026, and includes contributions from individuals, corporations and private foundations designated to support the college’s upcoming capital expansion project.
Eligible contributions include new cash gifts and pledge commitments. Once qualifying contributions are verified at the conclusion of the matching period, the Foundation will provide matching funds — bringing the total potential impact of the challenge to more than $31 million in combined support.
Please contact the Gatton College of Business and Economics Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement team for more information and to make a gift gattonphilanthropy@uky.edu
