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    donor

    Phil and Penny Knight

    Nike co-founder and philanthropists

    Lead donor, University of Oregon

    Giving tracked
    $1 billion
    Gifts
    1

    Background

    Phil and Penny Knight are American philanthropists; Phil Knight is the co-founder and chairman emeritus of Nike, and with his wife Penny has committed more than $2 billion to the University of Oregon.

    In 2026 the couple pledged $1 billion to the University of Oregon to establish a college of engineering.

    Donations by Phil and Penny Knight

    RecipientAmount
    University of OregonRead the story$1 billion

    Key facts

    Co-founder of Nike
    net worth estimated at $35.4 billion as of October 2025source
    2026 gift to University of Oregon
    $1 billion to establish a college of engineeringsource
    Earlier gifts to the Knight Campus
    $500 million in 2016 and $500 million in 2021source

    WYDE coverage of Phil and Penny Knight

    Sources

    Follow the money in philanthropy.

    Who gives, who receives, and what it funds. Every Friday.