On March 12, Vanderbilt announced that alumnus Mark H. Carter — who previously endowed the Vanderbilt Men’s Basketball head coaching position in February — would be making a $1.5 million matching gift to support Anchor Impact’s NIL initiatives. 

“I’m a firm believer that collegiate sports are an unmatched opportunity to bring people together and enhance a university’s profile,” Carter said. “I hope this challenge encourages everyone to get involved in making Vanderbilt the standard in NIL.”

Carter will match all donations made toward the third-party collective Anchor Impact up to $1.5 million. Anchor Impact operates independently of Vanderbilt University to provide support, resources and opportunities for Vanderbilt student-athletes. 

Vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director Candice Storey Lee is confident that the gift will help Vanderbilt succeed in the NIL space. 

“We’re grateful to Mark Carter for seizing the momentum of this men’s basketball season as it continues into March,” Lee said. “The NIL space is of paramount importance in collegiate athletics. Through Anchor Impact, it also represents an opportunity for differentiation for Vanderbilt Athletics, where collaborative support is part of our university DNA. Mark’s matching gift is a wonderful way for Commodore Nation to get involved with Anchor Impact for the first time or double down on their commitment.”