Stunning Pledge: Kansas State Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeffrey Dean Mittie Donates Entire \$6 Million Bonus and Endorsement Deal to Charities and Homeless Relief…

Breaking: Kansas State Women’s Basketball Head Coach Jeffrey Dean Mittie Donates Entire \$6 Million Bonus and Endorsement Deal to Charities and Homeless Relief

 

**MANHATTAN, Kan., May 8, 2025** – In a gesture that has stunned the collegiate sports world, Kansas State University women’s basketball head coach Jeffrey Dean Mittie has pledged every dollar of a recently awarded \$6 million performance bonus and accompanying endorsement earnings to charitable organizations focused on homelessness relief. The announcement, made public late Wednesday via a statement from the K‑State athletics department, positions Mittie among the most philanthropically minded figures in American sports.

 

 

A Stunning Pledge

 

Kansas State confirmed that Mittie’s contract, renewed last month through 2028, included a \$4 million performance bonus tied to postseason achievements, plus an estimated \$2 million in potential endorsement revenue from apparel and local corporate partners. Rather than retain these funds, Mittie has directed the entire sum to a coalition of nonprofits dedicated to providing shelter, medical care, and job training for unhoused individuals across Kansas and the broader Midwest.

 

> “I’ve been blessed with an incredible career and the support of a community that believes in me,” Mittie said in a video message. “I can’t imagine what it’s like to not have a roof over your head or a safe place to sleep. This money belongs to those who need it far more than I do.”

 

 

Targeted Impact on Homelessness

 

The donation will be disbursed through three primary channels over the next twelve months:

 

1. **Wildcat Haven Initiative** – A newly formed fund within the K‑State Foundation that will partner with local shelters in Riley and Shawnee counties to expand emergency housing capacity and mental‑health services.

2. **Heartland Homeless Relief Network** – A regional coalition of NGOs serving Kansas, Missouri, and Nebraska; Mittie’s gift will underwrite mobile clinics and job-skills workshops intended to help clients secure stable employment.

3. **Youth Outreach and Education Fund** – A dedicated stream of grants aimed at at‑risk young people experiencing homelessness, providing school supplies, tutoring, and mentorship programs.

 

University officials estimate that Mittie’s contribution could directly benefit over 3,500 individuals in its first year, with ripple effects amplifying support through partner organizations.

 

 

Reactions from the Community

 

News of the donation has ignited widespread admiration. Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor called it “one of the most selfless acts I’ve witnessed in collegiate athletics,” adding that Mittie’s leadership “extends far beyond the basketball court.” Teammates and players past and present have also voiced their pride. Senior guard Alyssa Johnson remarked, “Coach always tells us to play with heart. Now he’s showing us what that truly means off the court.”

 

Local civic leaders praised the move as well. Manhattan Mayor Karen Miller announced plans to coordinate with the Wildcat Haven Initiative to identify underfunded shelters in the city. “This gift will be transformative,” Miller said. “It not only provides resources, but it also shines a spotlight on an issue many prefer to ignore.”

 

 

Context: Homelessness in Kansas and Beyond

 

According to the latest Point‑in‑Time Count conducted by the Kansas Housing Institute in January 2025, more than 7,200 people experienced homelessness on a single night in Kansas, including over 1,000 individuals in Riley County alone. Statewide, the number of unsheltered individuals has risen by 12 percent compared to 2024, driven by rising housing costs and a shortage of low‑income units.

 

Nationally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that on a single night in January 2025, over 600,000 people were homeless, with nearly 170,000 living unsheltered. Advocates say that sustained philanthropic commitments like Mittie’s are critical to bridging funding gaps in emergency shelter and support services.

 

 

Behind the Decision

 

Sources close to Mittie say the coach’s own family history influenced his choice. His grandfather, a factory worker during the Great Depression, often took in boarders who had lost their homes. “He saw how a little help at the right time changed lives,” Mittie shared. “This felt like a way to honor that legacy.”

 

Kansas State’s contract language allowed Mittie full discretion over bonus allocation. In recent years, a handful of high‑profile coaches and athletes have directed portions of their salaries or winnings to charitable causes, but none on the scale of a six‑million‑dollar gift earmarked exclusively for homelessness relief.

 

 

What’s Next

 

Over the coming weeks, the K‑State Foundation will launch a public portal where donors and volunteers can track the distribution of funds and submit partnership proposals. The university also plans a town‑hall meeting in late May, bringing together nonprofit leaders, city officials, and students to coordinate efforts and maximize the impact of Mittie’s donation.

 

Meanwhile, the women’s basketball program, fresh off its deepest NCAA Tournament run in school history, continues offseason training—this time inspired not only by athletic goals but by a renewed sense of social responsibility. Assistant coach Kamila Reed noted, “Our team sees firsthand what Coach Mittie has done. We talk about teamwork; now we see how it extends to our entire community.”

 

 

A New Benchmark in Sports Philanthropy

 

Jeffrey Dean Mittie’s \$6 million pledge establishes a new benchmark for generosity in college sports, challenging peers at every level to consider how athletic success can translate into societal good. As universities nationwide grapple with budget shortfalls and rising student needs, such acts of largesse underscore the potential for sports figures to lead on issues far beyond game strategies and win‑loss records.

 

In an era when headlines often focus on controversies and contract disputes, Mittie’s decision offers a powerful narrative of compassion and leadership. For the countless men, women, and children who will find shelter, meals, and hope through his gift, the impact is immediate—and potentially life‑changing.

 

As the Kansas State campus and the wider basketball community celebrate this historic act, one thing is clear: Coach Mittie’s legacy will be measured not only by victories on the court but by the lives he helps lift off the streets.