Florida State University has received a landmark philanthropic gift that will significantly enhance its efforts to combat student food insecurity. A recent $1 million donation from Ballard Partners President Brian Ballard and his wife, Kathryn, marks the largest single contribution in the history of the university’s Division of Student Affairs. The gift underscores a deep commitment to student well-being and access to essential resources.
The Food for Thought Pantry
The Ballards’ donation is dedicated to FSU’s Food for Thought Pantry, a vital campus service that provides free groceries to currently enrolled students experiencing food insecurity. Since its founding in 2009, the pantry has served as a critical safety net for students balancing their studies with financial pressures, helping ensure that lack of access to food does not become a barrier to educational success. The pantry also operates mobile distribution events, dining hall meal donation distributions, and Supplemental Nutrition Access Program (SNAP) workshops.
Food insecurity among college students is a growing national concern, and Florida State University is no exception. In 2025, the pantry saw a 58% increase in usage by students, with 3,000 students being served more than 22,000 times that year alone.
Rising living costs, limited meal plans, and unexpected financial hardships can leave students vulnerable. The Food for Thought Pantry addresses this challenge directly by offering a dignified, confidential way for students to access nutritious food at no cost.
The Ballards’ donation will provide immediate and long-term benefits. In the near term, it will strengthen the pantry’s ability to keep shelves stocked and meet rising demand. Over time, the funding will support ambitious plans to expand the pantry’s square footage and storage capacity—improvements that will allow the program to serve more students and operate more efficiently for years to come.
Embodying the Spirit of FSU
University leaders, including FSU President Richard McCullough, emphasized that the gift means more than financial support; it embodies the “true spirit” of the FSU community and represents a commitment to the university’s mission to ensure students have the resources they need to thrive.
In making this contribution, Kathryn and Brian Ballard highlighted the importance of supporting students holistically and recognizing the real-life challenges they face beyond the classroom. The donation reflects a belief that access to basic necessities is foundational to student success and that universities have a responsibility to address those needs proactively.
A Legacy of Support
The Ballards are longtime supporters of FSU. Although Brian Ballard is an alumnus of the University of Florida—FSU’s rival—Kathryn Ballard is a graduate of FSU who has also served on the university’s Board of Trustees and the College of Health and Human Services Board.
In 2016, the couple gifted a downtown Tallahassee building to FSU to serve as the home of the Jim Moran School of Entrepreneurship and the Jim Moran Institute for Global Entrepreneurship. Valued at $1.1 million, the 19,000 square-foot building is centrally located at 111 S. Monroe St. and places students in proximity to the capitol and at the heart of the downtown business community.
More recently, in 2020, Ballard Partners created a scholarship fund in honor of the late Gregory Turbeville, a longtime staff member and well-known figure in the world of Florida politics and policy. The scholarship benefits students at the FSU College of Music.
Now, with their contribution to the Food for Thought Pantry, Kathryn and Brian Ballard are again demonstrating their commitment to FSU and its students. Their gift not only strengthens a critical program but also sets a powerful example of philanthropy focused on student dignity, access, and educational success.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
