The Kinsey Marching 100 gift gives Florida A&M’s famed band a $2 million boost and asks the Rattler family to double it. Drs. Bernard and Shirley Pooler Kinsey committed $2 million to the Marching “100,” Florida A&M announced in conjunction with homecoming. The gift creates a 36-month matching challenge designed to inspire another $2 million from alumni, friends, and supporters.
How the Kinsey Marching 100 Gift Is Structured
The money has two parts. According to the announcement, $1.5 million goes into an endowed fund that supports Marching “100” scholarships and operational needs. The other $500,000 goes into an expendable fund for more immediate scholarship and program priorities.
Scholarships will help eligible students who perform in the band. The operational side covers the unglamorous costs that keep a band on the field: uniforms and apparel, instruments and equipment, travel and transportation, and educational opportunities. Bands burn through those budgets quickly, so flexible dollars matter.
How the Matching Challenge Works
The Kinsey Marching “100” Matching Challenge began Oct. 24, 2026, and it runs for 36 months. During that window, eligible cash gifts and documented pledges from other donors receive dollar-for-dollar matching recognition, up to a combined $2 million. There’s no minimum gift to take part.
That design lowers the barrier for alumni who want to give. A small gift still counts toward the match, and the total commitment can grow quickly if the band’s supporters rally. FAMU Foundation executive director Dr. Brandi Tatum-Fedrick, who is also senior vice president for University Advancement, called it a chance for “the entire Rattler community” to come together.
What FAMU and the Kinseys Said
FAMU President Marva B. Johnson described the gift as an investment in students, traditions, and the university’s future. She called the Marching “100” a powerful ambassador for FAMU, representing discipline, talent, pride, and excellence. The challenge, she said, gives others a chance to join the Kinseys.
Bernard Kinsey said he and Shirley believe in education and in opening doors for students. He said the band represents “excellence, commitment and the enduring spirit of FAMU.” He hopes the challenge will inspire Rattlers everywhere. The Kinseys are also known for the Bernard and Shirley Pooler Kinsey African American Art Collection, and FAMU’s release pointed readers there to learn more about their philanthropy.
Context: A Hard Homecoming Weekend
The announcement arrived after a difficult stretch for Florida A&M University. FAMU’s homecoming weekend ended with the Perry Street shooting near Bragg Memorial Stadium, which HBCU Buzz has covered. Police later charged a 15-year-old in the case. The university has since promised more security and counseling support.
Against that backdrop, the gift is a reminder of what the Rattler community can build. It also fits a broader run of HBCU giving. The UNCF recently announced a $12 million gift from the Dimon Foundation to strengthen 12 HBCU endowments, with $1 million going to each school. Band programs have drawn their own support. In 2025, BeyGOOD gave $100,000 to Texas Southern’s Ocean of Soul, a gift aimed at recruiting and keeping musicians and supporting scholarships.
About FAMU
Founded Oct. 3, 1887, FAMU calls itself the nation’s highest-ranked public HBCU. It’s also an 1890 land-grant, doctoral research institution. Its release called the Marching “100” world-renowned, and the band remains one of the university’s most visible ambassadors.
The challenge runs through late 2029, so the match won’t wrap up quickly. The key number to follow is how much of the $2 million match donors claim in the first year. Donors can find details and give through the link in FAMU’s announcement. For HBCU funding watchers, the Kinsey Marching 100 gift shows how matching challenges can turn one large commitment into a broader fundraising push.
