On Sept. 21, 2013, philanthropists Phil and Penny Knight pledged $500 million to kick-start a $1 billion cancer research initiative at the Knight Cancer Institute at Oregon Health and Science University (OHSU). Phil Knight, Nike co-founder and chair, said the pledge was contingent on OHSU’s success in raising at least $500 million more for cancer within two years.

On Jun. 25, 2015, OHSU announced it had met Nike co-founder Phil Knight and his wife Penny’s $1 billion challenge and raised $500 million in less than two years to earn the Knights’ matching gift and set a fundraising record.