Donor Spotlight
Mat Ishbia
This donation is not about me, this is to give credit to and thank coach Tom Izzo, the business school and Michigan State University for the incredible impact they have had on my life.
In February of 2021, Michigan State University received a $32-million commitment from alumnus Mat Ishbia — the largest single cash commitment from an individual to date — benefitting MSU Athletics in a variety of meaningful ways. A 2003 graduate of the Eli Broad College of Business and four-year member of the Spartan men's basketball team, he made the commitment in honor of his parents, his teammates and head men's basketball coach Tom Izzo. For Ishbia, it is all about family, including his Spartan family. “This donation is not about me, this is to give credit to and thank coach Tom Izzo, the business school and Michigan State University for the incredible impact they have had on my life,” said Ishbia.
Ishbia, the current chairman, president and CEO of United Wholesale Mortgage (UWM), the largest wholesale mortgage company in the nation for six years running, has grown his company from a 12-person family business when he joined in 2003, to a team of over 8,000 people.
“This gift speaks volumes to Mat's character and the way he runs his business today; always focusing on creating a family atmosphere and being there for one another. His generosity will benefit the Spartan family for years to come, enriching the lives of so many Spartans well beyond their time at Michigan State. I am honored and humbled by his gift and thankful for his philanthropy, but I am more proud of the man he is,” said Izzo.
The largest portion of Ishbia's commitment ($20M) will be football-focused, providing resources to construct an expansion of football facilities to include: improving the football auditorium, expanding the weight room, creating new player lockers, informal meeting spaces, and recovery modalities consistent with the country's best programs, as well as a dining and nutrition area to give head football coach Mel Tucker resources to compete for championships.
Additionally, $2 million of Ishbia's commitment will create the Spartan For Life Fund focused on leadership and career development to serve as a springboard for all student-athletes to find employment after graduation and to assist with life-long career opportunities. The residual amount of the commitment will be given to the MSU Athletics Excellence Fund and MSU Men's Basketball Excellence Fund to provide both flexible and unrestricted resources that can address areas of greatest need and take advantage of new opportunities as they arise.
Michigan State University and the Department of Intercollegiate Athletics thanks Mat, and all donors who make a difference in the lives of Spartans everywhere through philanthropy.