Fresno Pacific University celebrated the $21.9 million King J. Richter gift on Aug. 12, 2025, during the annual Fall Kick Off. Standing in the back is FPU President André Stephens. At far right in the second row are Liz Garvin, vice president for advancement/executive director of the FPU Foundation, and Mark Deffenbacher, retired vice president for advancement/executive director of the FPU Foundation. Pictured students are members of the Student Government Association. FPU photo by Megan LeBlanc

Fresno Pacific University has received a $21.9 million gift from the late King J. Richter, a longtime supporter of the university, to help establish scholarships for students.

The donation is the largest in Fresno Pacific’s history. It is the second largest in Central Valley history for a public charitable gift, trailing only a $29.4 million donation to Fresno State’s College of Agricultural Sciences and Technology in 2009, according to a news release.

The new scholarships include the Alvina Richter Scholarship Fund, in honor of Richter’s mother, the Elmer R. Richter, Sr. Scholarship Fund, in honor of his father and the King J. Richter Scholarship. 

Richter, whose family founded Fresno’s Pepsi Cola Bottling Company, has been a long-time supporter of FPU.

After the sale of Fresno’s Pepsi Cola Bottling Company in 1975, Richter moved to Beverly Hills and became a philanthropist.

“King J. Richter’s generosity reflects a deep and enduring commitment to Fresno Pacific and our mission,” said FPU President André Stephens, Ph.D. “This remarkable gift will open doors for countless students — both now and for generations to come — equipping them to pursue their calling and make a difference in the world. My hope is this gift will also inspire others to give in support of the life-changing, Christ-centered education we provide.” 

In 1992, Richter established the King J. Richter Annual Scholarship to “help high-achieving students receive the life-changing education available at FPU,” according to the description of that scholarship, which is separate from the new endowment. “He grew up in a Fresno home that held Christian values high and understands the importance of responsibility and a disciplined work ethic.”