IU NIL collectives raise $2M in two-month fundraiser
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Indiana University name, image and likeness collectives Hoosiers Connect and Hoosiers For Good have fundraised $2 million through its “In for Indiana” campaign after an anonymous donor matched $1 million of contributions.
The collectives’ goal was to raise at least $1 million from Nov. 14 through Dec. 31, knowing those contributions would double from the donor’s match. The push’s launch Nov. 14 resulted in $500,000 raised from 641 people in less than 48 hours.
The money funneled through the not-for-profit collectives pays IU student-athletes and supports local charities. Donors can decide to support a specific team or sign up for recurring donations, which are tax deductible.
“The support that we have received from Hoosier Nation this year has been instrumental in being able to provide IU student-athletes with NIL opportunities,” Tyler Harris, Hoosiers Connect and Hoosiers For Good executive director, said in a news release. “We’re grateful for everyone who supported our student-athletes and communities over the last several weeks and helped us secure the additional $1 million in matching funds.”
Paid opportunities became possible for collegiate athletes following a July 2021 U.S. Supreme Court decision ruling the NCAA could not prohibit them from profiting off education-related payments. In turn, the NCAA was forced to turn on its long-held and enforced policy against such compensation.
Several prominent Hoosiers gave their support for the campaign, including Victor Oladipo, Cody Zeller, Grace Berger, Lilly King, Joe Buck and Cam Jones.