University of Tennessee Athletics
SPORT SPECIFIC GIVING INVESTMENT
Interested in making a positive impact on your favorite Tennessee Team? Make a sport specific gift!
Gifts made to a sport-specific excellence fund directly enhance the lives of the team’s student-athletes by funding team-specific needs and ultimately allowing our student-athletes to achieve their academic and athletic pursuits. These gifts are utilized at the discretion of each head coach.
To make a gift, please click on the desired teams box below.
Contact Us For assistance making a team specific gift, call: (865) 974-1218 or email tnfund@utk.edu
MATCHING GIFT PROGRAM
The Tennessee Fund has a longstanding history of success with matching gift programs and the support provided has made a tremendous difference in the lives of Tennessee student-athletes and Tennessee students through scholarships. With the change in the tax law at the start of 2018, matching gift support has changed significantly based on the tax treatment of gifts like those made to the Tennessee Fund. Please read the information below to determine if you may still take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program and increase your support for the Tennessee Fund and our student athletes.
For gifts made to the Tennessee Fund, under tax legislation, contributions that also confer seating rights to the University of Tennessee home athletic events may no longer be tax deductible as a charitable contribution. It is the responsibility of the University of Tennessee Foundation to confirm or deny gifts that are eligible for an employer match based on that company’s rules and regulations. This also applies to gifts that are made to the University of Tennessee Foundation on behalf of the Tennessee Fund.
In general, gifts that do not provide any annual Tennessee Fund level or priority points may still be eligible for a matching gift based on the employer’s eligibility criteria. It is the donor’s responsibility to notify the Tennessee Fund and/or the UT Foundation, in writing, that they are filing for a match at the time the gift is made. Please see the updated matching gift guidelines below based on the recent changes in tax legislation.
TENNESSEE FUND MATCHING GIFT GUIDELINES
Depending on your employer, you may be able to double, triple or even quadruple the amount of your gift. Many companies offer a matching gift program that will significantly amplify what you have given. Be sure to check with your company’s human resources department, as each organization has its own policies and matching gift forms. You may also be eligible if you are retired. Tennessee Fund members are urged to submit their annual gift along with any matching gift forms by March 1st.
Please be advised that most companies will no longer match contributions to athletics that provide season ticket benefits or the opportunity to purchase season tickets.
Matching gifts programs vary widely regarding their eligibility for academic scholarships, athletics fundraising, capital projects and payments on existing pledges. If you have any questions about how your matching gift can be used please contact the Tennessee Fund office via email at tnfund@utk.edu. Please consult your tax advisor for the proper treatment of your donations to the TN Fund considering this new tax legislation and how it may affect your individual tax situation.
THE SHAREHOLDERS SOCIETY
The Shareholders Society is the exclusive philanthropic giving society for Tennessee Athletics. This group of generous and committed donors provide critical financial
support for our student-athletes and coaches, helping enhance their experience at Tennessee through philanthropy.
Members of The Shareholders Society will enjoy unique stewardship benefits that include priority point multipliers on gifts made towards their pledge (please see image). All commitments are payable over 5 years and are 100% tax deductible.
This is the fastest way to improve donor rank!
MY ALL CAMPAIGN & EXCELLENCE FUND DONATIONS
Consider a gift to the My All Campaign or a sport specific excellence fund. The My All Campaign aims to impact all 20 Division I programs as well as modernize numerous athletic venues. Excellence fund gifts go directly to the specified team and are used at the discretion of the head coach in conjunction with the sport administrator.
Donations to either are philanthropic donations above and beyond any season ticket contribution. These donations will earn you 1 point per $100 donated which will help to improve your donor rank and are 100% tax deductible.
LEADERSHIP ABOVE AND BEYOND ANNUAL GIVING
We invite all Tennessee supporters to get further involved and consider an above and beyond gift to Tennessee Athletics!
We’re fortunate here on Rocky Top to have so many fans be season ticket holders to our numerous sports. The contributions help us fund our overall budget and make the experience for our student-athletes top-notch in their day to day. The support and passion of Vol Nation is felt everyday and now we need to take it to the next level! We are asking each fan to consider giving a philanthropic gift this year to a cause that is meaningful to them!
In 2022 we had 3,807 donors give a philanthropic gift in support of our student-athletes and coaches. That number was 2,821 in 2023. We are looking to set a record this year and we have work to do to help our student-athletes and coaches be the best they can be. Help us accomplish our goals and make a gift today!
TENNESSEE FUND MATCHING GIFT GUIDELINES
My All Campaign
My All Campaign
The My All Campaign has been instrumental in the many successes of Tennessee Athletics since its inception in 2021. Donations to the My All Campaign impact all 20 varsity athletic programs and will help our Vols and Lady Vols gain a competitive advantage in academics, athletics, and life skills
Sport Specific Excellence Funds
Sport Specific Excellence Fund
Excellence fund gifts go directly to the specified team of your choosing and are used at the discretion of the head coach in conjunction with the sport administrator. Your gifts, for example, can help to fill the cost for equipment needs throughout the season or even contribute to covering team meals
The Shareholders Society
The Shareholders Society
The Shareholders Society is the exclusive philanthropic giving society for Tennessee Athletics. This group of generous and committed donors provide critical financial
support that will be used to fund new athletic facility construction, as well as existing facility enhancements/renovations
LEADERSHIP ANNUAL GIVING ENGAGEMENT OPPORTUNITIES
- Unique opportunity to help more than 585 student-athletes achieve their academic and athletic goals here on Rocky Top
- Access to unique experiences and exclusive invites
- Exclusive access to single game ticket purchasing opportunities (inventory dependent)
- Increased concierge level customer service with a dedicated Tennessee Fund Representative
- Tax deductibility
- Earn 1 Priority Point per $100 donated
*Note items above are subject to change
WHAT DO YOUR DOLLARS SUPPORT?
Here at the University of Tennessee, we are committed to providing the best experience possible for our student-athletes and coaches. We approach this from a holistic sense and want to see our programs thrive in competition, in the classroom, and in the community. In order to provide the best, we need continued philanthropic support. Department costs continue to go up as the average cost per student-athlete is now $128,767.32. As a result, donor support is vital! Below are a few examples of what your donations go towards!
- Check out this article about our on-field success during the 2022-2023 Academic year!
- Tennessee student-athletes are continuing to lead the way in the classroom. Click here to read about the successes of our student-athletes outside of competition.
- Our Vol and Lady Vol student-athletes are having a positive impact on the world! Read here about our VOLeaders Academy!
INTERESTED IN LEARNING MORE?
The Tennessee Fund staff is on hand to assist with any questions you may have about philanthropic giving! Check out the below ways to contact us and we can’t wait to here from you soon!
- Set-up a Calendly Call for a time that is convenient for you with a member of the Tennessee Fund by clicking here!
- We can also be reached by phone at 865-974-1218.
- Want to contact the Tennessee Fund via email? We can be reached at tnfund@utk.edu.
- Another way to be contacted by the Tennessee Fund is by filling out our interest form. Click here to fill it out.
PAYROLL DEDUCTION INFORMATION FOR UNIVERSITY OF TENNESSEE EMPLOYEES
Give a little every pay period and get benefits all year by using payroll deduction to make your gift to the Tennessee Fund. As part of the Tennessee Fund, you help student-athletes be top competitors both on the field and in the classroom. Plus you get all the benefits that come with being a part of this important organization. The Tennessee Fund is supported through annual donations, gift planning and major gifts. Each is vital to the success of Tennessee athletics.
Your gift will count towards the “Big Orange Family Campaign”, a month-long university wide initiative held each year for faculty and staff to show their support.
Please complete the payroll deduction link below to become a member and play your part in the success of Tennessee Athletics.
ONLINE PAYROLL DEDUCTION FORM
ONLINE PAYROLL DEDUCTION FORM
You will be prompted to enter your Net ID and password. Please feel free to select any of the options under “Athletics”.
Thank you for all that you do for our university and athletic department!
BECOME A MEMBER
Download the 2024 Tennessee Fund Membership Guide or click below to view the membership benefits and levels.
