Knoxville, Tennessee. Josh Heupel and his spouse give $2.5 million, bonuses, and endorsements to a charity that helps Tennessee’s homeless youth.

Kn In a powerful demonstration of compassion and community investment, Tennessee Volunteers head football coach Josh Heupel and his wife, Dawn, have made a transformative $2.5 million donation to a Knoxville-based nonprofit dedicated to supporting the state’s homeless youth. The Heupels’ contribution, which also includes future bonuses and endorsement revenues earmarked for the organization, represents one of the largest personal charitable donations ever made by a college football head coach in the SEC.

The couple’s generosity will directly benefit Volunteer Roots, a fast-growing Tennessee charity focused on providing shelter, mentorship, mental health services, and educational opportunities to young people facing homelessness across the state. The move is being hailed as a landmark moment not just for the organization, but for the larger conversation about how high-profile figures in college athletics can influence their communities far beyond the football field.

Josh Heupel, known for revitalizing the Tennessee football program and leading the Volunteers to national prominence in recent years, has always emphasized building character both on and off the field. But even as his offense lights up the SEC, this week’s donation highlights the Heupels’ broader mission: empowering vulnerable youth and giving back to a state that has embraced them since Heupel’s arrival in 2021.

In a press conference held outside the headquarters of Volunteer Roots, Heupel reflected on what prompted the gift.

“This isn’t about football,” Heupel said. “It’s about kids who are slipping through the cracks. Dawn and I have been blessed in ways we could have never imagined, and we both knew it was time to put some of that blessing to work for the people who need it most.”

“Tennessee has given us so much — this is our home. If we can be part of changing the trajectory of even one young life, then this donation will be worth every penny.”

Heupel emphasized that this was not a one-time gesture. Along with the initial $2.5 million, the couple has committed an ongoing percentage of his performance bonuses and personal endorsement earnings to support the charity over the next decade.

Volunteer Roots has quickly become one of the most impactful youth-focused organizations in Tennessee. Founded in 2017 by Knoxville native and former foster child Carmen Riley, the group runs transitional housing units, job training programs, and peer support groups for youth aged 14 to 24 who are homeless or aging out of the foster care system.

Riley, now 36, shared an emotional reaction upon receiving news of the Heupels’ donation.

“I fell to my knees,” she said. “No one prepares you for a moment like that. Josh and Dawn are giving us the resources to scale this mission statewide. Hundreds — possibly thousands — of young lives will be better because of them.”

With Tennessee facing a growing youth homelessness crisis, especially in urban areas like Nashville, Chattanooga, and Memphis, the donation comes at a critical time. According to a 2024 report by the Tennessee Housing and Urban Development Task Force, over 13,000 minors in the state experienced homelessness in some form during the previous year. The need has outpaced existing shelters and services — until now.

While several college coaches have made high-profile philanthropic gestures in recent years, Heupel’s structured, long-term commitment is drawing particular praise. SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey called it “an extraordinary example of the Volunteer spirit in action.”

“In this era of high salaries and big headlines, it’s rare and refreshing to see a leader prioritize social impact in such a tangible way,” Sankey said. “Coach Heupel isn’t just winning football games — he’s helping young people win at life.”

Notably, the donation sets a new standard for community involvement among NCAA coaches. While Nick Saban, Dabo Swinney, and others have also led charitable initiatives, the Heupels’ direct financial investment — combined with their promise of continued support — is turning heads in philanthropic circles.

Dawn Heupel, a former college athlete and longtime advocate for children’s welfare, said her passion for this issue has been growing since their move to Knoxville.

“I’ve spent time volunteering with local shelters, and the stories are heartbreaking,” she said. “You have these brilliant, resilient young people who are just trying to survive — not because of anything they did wrong, but because of circumstances beyond their control. I knew we had to do more.”

Sources close to the family say the couple was especially moved after visiting a Volunteer Roots home in early 2024 and hearing the stories of teens who’d slept under bridges or couch-surfed for months without any sense of safety or permanence.

One resident, 18-year-old Malik Johnson, said he’ll never forget that visit.

“They didn’t act like celebrities. Coach Heupel sat on the couch with me and asked what I wanted to do with my life. I told him I wanted to be a chef. He smiled and said, ‘Let’s get you there.’”

Malik has since earned a culinary scholarship through the program, and will start classes at a local culinary institute this fall.

Josh Heupel’s current contract with Tennessee includes a base salary of $9 million annually, with performance-based bonuses that can push his earnings above $11 million per year. His endorsements, which include regional brands and national sports apparel companies, reportedly add another $2 million to his yearly income.

The Heupels’ gift represents roughly 20% of their annual net earnings. The structured commitment — part immediate funding, part future giving — will help fund:

• Three new transitional housing campuses across Tennessee.
• Mental health services and trauma counseling for over 500 youth per year.
• Scholarship programs for teens who finish their GEDs or high school diplomas through Volunteer Roots.
• Workforce development partnerships with local businesses and trade schools.
• A mobile outreach team targeting rural areas often overlooked by existing services.

Tennessee football players took notice of the announcement and have responded with pride and admiration for their coach. Senior defensive lineman Omari Thomas tweeted:

“That’s my coach. Not just talking about it, but being about it. We ride for that man even harder now.”

Quarterback Nico Iamaleava added:

“This is what leadership looks like. We talk about ‘family’ in our locker room — Coach and Mrs. Heupel just showed us what that really means.”

Several players have since signed up to volunteer with Volunteer Roots, including attending weekend tutoring sessions and assisting with job interview prep workshops.

Local business leaders and alumni are already following suit. One anonymous Tennessee booster pledged an additional $500,000 to the cause within hours of the announcement, saying Heupel’s leadership “inspired him to stop sitting on the sidelines.”

Meanwhile, discussions have begun within Tennessee’s athletic department about creating a university-wide initiative to combat youth homelessness, potentially integrating student-athletes from other sports as mentors and advocates.

The Knoxville Chamber of Commerce praised the Heupels and hinted at a broader partnership with Volunteer Roots involving corporate sponsors and civic organizations.

“This could be the beginning of a movement,” said Chamber president Lila Hernandez. “Coach Heupel reminded all of us what we’re capable of when we act with heart and vision.”

Josh Heupel’s on-field accomplishments — including a New Year’s Six bowl win, multiple 10-win seasons, and a Heisman finalist under his tutelage — have already cemented his status as one of Tennessee’s most successful modern coaches. But this act of giving may ultimately define his legacy far more than wins or trophies.

As Heupel closed out the press conference, he offered a challenge to others in his position:

“If you’ve been blessed by this game — as a coach, player, or fan — find your way to give back. It doesn’t have to be money. It can be your time, your voice, your connections. Just do something. Because there are kids out there who need us.”

Heupel then stepped away from the podium and embraced Carmen Riley, who held back tears as the crowd of media and community leaders applauded.

For the young people sleeping in cars, bouncing between friends’ couches, or trying to graduate high school without a stable place to call home, the Heupels’ donation is more than just a generous gift. It’s a lifeline. It’s a signal that someone sees them, believes in them, and is willing to fight for their future.