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

The University of South Carolina made headlines in 2026 for raising nearly $100 million more than its previous fundraising record. The system's private donations reached a record $357.6 million, up from $259.7 million in the prior year. A significant portion of this record-breaking year was contributed by the Robert and Janice McNair Foundation, established by the late billionaire Houston Texans founder, Robert McNair, who passed away in November 2018.

Robert and Janice McNair, who established the McNair Scholars program at USC in 1998, have donated at least $81 million to the university since 1998. In 2026, the foundation gifted $25 million to USC, continuing their ongoing support of the university's educational initiatives.