Tom Izzo Named 2025 College Basketball Philanthropy Icon
East Lansing, Mich., June 27, 2025 — Michigan State University men’s head basketball coach Tom Izzo has been named the 2025 College Basketball Philanthropy Icon, an honor recognizing his years of extraordinary humanitarian efforts and grassroots generosity. The award, presented by the National Association of College Giving (NACG), celebrates a college basketball figure whose impact extends well beyond the court.
A Legacy of Genuine Giving
Izzo, now in his 30th season at MSU, is widely celebrated not only for his Hall‑of‑Fame coaching résumé but also for a deeply rooted commitment to philanthropic causes. Over the past two decades, he has:
- Established the “Izzo Families First Fund” in 2005 to support financial aid for high-achieving but economically disadvantaged students—raising over $12 million to date.
- Raised nearly $4 million in 2022 for COVID‑19 relief through a virtual coaching summit, distributing grants to Michigan frontline workers and teachers.
- Championed literacy programs, hosting annual reading events where players visit under-resourced schools, donating over 20,000 books since 2010.
- Mobilized community disaster relief, notably contributing to flood recovery efforts in Genesee County (2019) and hurricane recovery in Florida (2023).
Award Selection & Ceremony
The NACG’s selection committee praised Izzo’s hands‑on style: “He doesn’t just donate, he shows up—on school carpets, in shelters, in community centers—he’s as present as he is generous.” The award was formally presented during the annual College Sports Philanthropy Summit in Chicago, where Izzo was invited as the keynote speaker. In his acceptance, he remarked, “It’s about lifting people up—on the court and in life.”
Community-Centered Growth
Central to Izzo’s humanitarian philosophy is his mantra, “Roots before wings.” His foundation emphasizes local impact—supporting small rural districts across Michigan with grant programs for art, STEM kits, and athletic equipment. Last month alone, the foundation announced a $500,000 partnership with Lansing Community College to provide vocational apprenticeships.
Izzo also personally visits local hospitals—nearly quarterly—engaging with young patients. Inside Hospital CEO Jennifer McAllister noted, “Coach Izzo brings hope and joy like no one else.”
A National Role Model
While Izzo’s influence is strongest in Michigan, his work echoes nationally:
- In March 2024, he spearheaded a coaches’ coalition to advocate for mental health awareness in college athletics, resulting in $1 million in grants to implement new counseling protocols nationwide.
- His annual “Shoot‑to‑Serve” basketball camp, launched in 2021, has raised funds for food banks in seven states, benefiting over 15,000 families.
Looking Ahead
With this new honor, Izzo plans to expand the Families First Fund regionally into Wisconsin and Ohio over the next two years and to host the first-ever “Coaches for Community Summit” in Lansing in autumn 2026, aiming to gather coaches from major sports to share community outreach strategies.
As Michigan State and college basketball enthusiasts nationwide reflect on Coach Izzo’s achievements, it’s clear his greatest legacy may not be championships on the court, but the lives he’s transformed off it—making him an undeniably worthy 2025 College Basketball Philanthropy Icon.
