Hawkeye supporters were thrilled to receive the news they had been waiting for on social media following Iowa’s recent athletics announcement. Donors will now be able to support athletes from all 22 Hawkeye sports teams, not just football and basketball, through the Iowa SWARM Collective, a fundraising platform for student-athletes’ name, image, and likeness (NIL) initiatives. To put it another way, any fan can donate their NIL to any Hawkeye program by making a one-time $1,000 gift or committing to $100 each month.
The University of Iowa announced plans for a new official NIL merchandise store in addition to broadening the funding network. With proceeds going directly to Iowa student-athletes, the UI NIL Exchange plans to open an online NIL store (powered by Campus Ink) that will sell officially licensed Hawkeye clothing and merchandise. In addition to raising money, this audacious project strengthens the bond between supporters and the athletes they cheer for.
Brad Heinrichs, CEO of Iowa SWARM Collective, speaks to supporters during a press conference. Brad Heinrichs, CEO of Iowa SWARM Collective, has personally witnessed the close relationship between NIL and community service. He points out that NIL offers student-athletes financial opportunities “while also serving local charities and nonprofits,” which is a twofold advantage of the initiative.
The 501(c)(3) SWARM has completed nearly 1,200 hours of student-athlete community service in its first year by partnering with over 40 charities, including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Meals on Wheels, the Iowa Sports Foundation, and UI Hospitals & Clinics.
According to athletic director Beth Goetz, the announcement was made at the ideal time. She praised Iowa’s “passionate fanbase” and stated that the department is dedicated to “supporting the donor interest,” whether that means tickets, scholarships, facilities, or NIL. “NIL support has become critically important to Hawkeye Athletics,” she said. The message is straightforward: Iowa is asking its supporters to directly contribute to maintaining the competitiveness of its programs.
This drive for fan-backed funding aligns with more significant NCAA reforms. In order to assist with direct athlete payments under the new revenue-sharing model, Iowa Athletics launched new “Flight Funds” in June 2025. Donors now have several ways to contribute to Hawkeye success because all 22 sports are eligible under Swarm NIL. Goetz recently stated that Iowa is “embracing this new era of opportunity” and reaffirming its dedication to student-athletes through Flight Funds and SWARM.
Large numbers of Hawkeye supporters are already participating. According to Heinrichs, the Swarm Collective currently has about 2,100 members; its objective is to reach at least 10,000 members and raise more than $10 million a year. Even modest contributions have an impact: $50 or more donations to SWARM fulfill the requirements for I-Club membership, earning donors priority points, special benefits, and priority tickets.
For instance, there are five tiers to SWARM memberships: lower-tier donors get access to exclusive pre-game events, decals, and T-shirts, while higher-tier supporters can ask athletes questions and get first dibs on away-game tickets. When combined, these fan-driven initiatives give Hawkeyes supporters and alumni a sense of personal connection to the team’s accomplishments.
To put things in perspective, the goal of Iowa’s “One Day for Iowa” campaign was $55,323, which is about the yearly cost to fully support one Hawkeye athlete (scholarship, travel, nutrition, academics). Fans can now direct their donations to particular teams through SWARM, guaranteeing that every gift has a direct impact.
The expanded SWARM program is being hailed as precisely the kind of lucid, captivating, click-worthy, and journalistically written opportunity that energizes the Hawkeye community, whether it is a longtime alum, a proud parent, or a new fan. “This makes you feel like you’re part of the team,” a fan told local reporters. Now that all sports are underway, the Swarm Collective’s major announcement is just the kind of news that Iowa fans love to discuss.
