LSU Quarterback Garrett Nussmeier Donates $12.6 Million to Establish Shelter for Homeless Students
Baton Rouge, LA – May 19, 2025 — In a landmark gesture of compassion and leadership, LSU Tigers quarterback Garrett Nussmeier has announced a $12.6 million donation to establish a shelter for homeless students in Louisiana. The initiative, unprecedented in scale by a current college athlete, is designed to combat housing insecurity among students by offering them a safe and stable environment to live and thrive academically.
The shelter, which will be named “Nussmeier House,” will serve as a sanctuary for students facing homelessness and will be located close to the Louisiana State University campus. The facility will accommodate up to 100 students and will provide a range of supportive services, including counseling, tutoring, food assistance, and career development resources.
In a heartfelt statement, Nussmeier emphasized the importance of stable housing for academic success. “Education has the power to transform lives, but no one can focus in the classroom if they’re worried about where they’re going to sleep at night,” Nussmeier said. “This is my way of giving back to a community that has given me so much.”
Nussmeier’s donation is being heralded as one of the largest ever made by a college athlete, thanks in part to the Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) opportunities that have enabled student-athletes to earn income while still enrolled. Nussmeier has been a prominent figure on the field, but his efforts off the field are quickly becoming just as noteworthy.
LSU President William F. Tate IV praised Nussmeier’s initiative. “Garrett’s generosity speaks volumes about his character. He’s not just a leader in the huddle; he’s a leader in our community. This shelter will provide dignity, stability, and hope to students who need it most.”
According to a 2023 report from the Louisiana Department of Education, thousands of students across the state experience homelessness each year, with many of them struggling to continue their education under the pressure of unstable housing. LSU and Nussmeier aim to address this issue head-on with a facility that goes beyond simple accommodation.
The design for Nussmeier House includes communal living areas, quiet study spaces, on-site social workers, and job placement programs. The goal is not just to offer temporary shelter, but to create a sustainable support system that helps students achieve long-term independence and academic success.
The donation has also inspired other prominent LSU figures and alumni to consider contributing to the cause. Conversations are already underway about creating an endowment to maintain and expand the shelter’s services in the future.
Nussmeier, who has been actively involved in various charitable causes during his time at LSU, said this project is personal. “I’ve had teammates and classmates who struggled with housing issues. It’s heartbreaking to know that so many students are going through this quietly. I wanted to do something permanent that could help solve the problem.”
This announcement follows a growing trend of LSU athletes making significant social impacts. In a similar effort, LSU women’s basketball head coach Kim Mulkey previously donated $5.6 million to fund a shelter for homeless youth in her home state of Texas. Nussmeier has said her example partly inspired him.
Construction on the Nussmeier House is scheduled to begin by the end of 2025, with the goal of opening its doors in time for the fall semester of 2026. The shelter will operate as a public-private partnership between LSU, local government agencies, and nonprofit organizations specializing in youth housing and education support.
While Nussmeier is best known for his powerful arm and leadership on the field, his latest move has made headlines for a different reason — one that transcends sports. Social media and sports outlets across the country have lit up with praise for his generosity and vision.
“This is what it means to use your platform for good,” said LSU head football coach Brian Kelly. “Garrett has always been an outstanding teammate and student, but this commitment shows his heart is just as big as his talent.”
As Nussmeier prepares for what may be his final season at LSU, he’s made it clear that his legacy will go far beyond touchdowns and trophies. With his $12.6 million donation, he has cemented himself as not only a star athlete, but a compassionate leader with a lasting impact on the lives of fellow students
