UNC announced Monday that it would be receiving a $10 million commitment from the John William Pope Foundation.

The donation will be split between the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center, the Philosophy, Politics and Economics program, the track and field program and the UNC Horizons program, which provides an outreach service to the state to treat pregnant and parenting women with substance-use disorders.

Chancellor Carol Folt thanked the Pope family, not only for this gift but for a long history of donations to the university.

“This gift embraces, in every way we can imagine, UNC’s commitment to our multi-pronged mission, from teaching and education, from high-impact life-saving research, to deep, public service,” said Folt.

The Pope family’s ties to UNC date back to the 1940s when John Pope attended the university.

Conservative philanthropist and president of the John William Pope Foundation Art Pope credited the university at Monday’s press conference announcing the gift for fueling his family’s success.

“The University of North Carolina has benefited the entire state for centuries in its education and teaching, its research and public service,” said Pope. “And our family has been fortunate enough to benefit from that education as graduates from the University of North Carolina.”

The largest portion of the donation will establish the John William Pope “Tomorrow’s Best Hope” Endowed Fellowship Fund, which will generate nearly $250,000 in scholarships each year for the Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.

Dean of the School of Medicine Dr. William Roper called the commitment “incredible.”

“This will allow us to be fully competitive with the other leading institutions in the country that do training for careers in cancer research and cancer treatment,” said Roper. “It’s a truly visionary, transformative gift.”

The commitment supports UNC’s For All Kind fundraising campaign, which has a goal of $4.25 billion raised by December 31, 2022. The campaign is the largest in state history for a public university.

Related Stories
‹
UNC Studying Link Between Obesity and Cancer
Researchers at the UNC Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center are looking into the links between obesity and cancer. While it is common knowledge that things like smoking and exposure to sun can put you at risk for cancer, Professor in the Department of Nutrition at UNC Dr. Stephen Hursting says obesity is a lesser known risk […]
Pope Foundation Gives $1.3 Million To UNC Lineberger Cancer Center
The John William Pope Foundation has made a $1.3 million gift to UNC’s Lineberger Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Art Pope Slams UNC System's Budget 'Needs' For 2014-15
The push and pull of budget negotiations between Raleigh and Chapel Hill has begun again as 2014-15 budget talks have begun, and the state’s budget director, Art Pope, says the UNC system is asking for too much.
Shaquille O'Neal Featured Among 2026 Performers for Chapel Thrill Concert Series
UNC has announced its setlist for the 2026 Chapel Thrill Concert Series. The series is part of the school’s “Chapel Thrill Game Day,” which debuted in 2025. The concerts are the centerpiece of the festivities, with the stage located on Polk Place in front of Wilson Library in the heart of the UNC campus. Each […]
UNC Volleyball Picked 5th in ACC Preseason Poll; 2 Tar Heels Receive All-ACC Honors
UNC has been picked to finish fifth in the ACC’s preseason volleyball poll, and Tar Heels Chelsea Thorpe and Safi Hampton both were named to the league’s preseason All-ACC team. Thorpe enters the final season of her collegiate career after posing 318 kills and 90 blocks in 2025, while Hampton’s 399 kills led the team. […]
The Morning News: Expanding the Arts, Chatham Transit, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: the Eno Arts Mill is set to reopen, UNC moves to expand the Ackland Art Museum, and Michael Lombardi speaks out.
Major UNC Alumnus, Donor Announces Plans to Give Away North Carolina Boat Company's Proceeds
Eddie Smith Jr., a UNC alumnus and major donor, is cementing the spirit and philanthropic efforts of his company, Grady-White Boats.
UNC Football Under Microscope Again With Lombardi's Administrative Leave – Stroman On Sports (July 31, 2026)
The Hill's Deborah Stroman and Brighton McConnell chat on Friday, July 31, about UNC football general manager Michael Lombardi landing on administrative leave amid a university-led investigation.
On Air Today: Proposing a 'Village at South Campus' (Including the Dean Dome)
The ongoing push to keep UNC basketball at the Smith Center now includes a proposed 'Village at South Campus' around the arena.
The Morning News: UNC Degree Cuts, Vinfast, Michael Lombardi
In today's news: UNC prepares to cut four degree programs, and Bill Belichick and Lee Roberts weigh in on the Michael Lombardi situation.
›