Are there unique advantages of giving to RecSports?
Donors find many advantages in working with RecSports to support the higher education experience, including:
- Helping unite your passion with Divisional priorities to "give back" to the institution that helped you down the road to success and providing you the satisfaction of knowing that you influence the future of RecSports.
- Responding promptly with a tax-deductible acknowledgement of your gift.
- Providing up-to-date financial information to donors and information about their gift’s impact.
- Offering the opportunity to participate in University donor recognition clubs such as the Chancellor's Council, Littlefield Society and Texas Leadership Society.
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How can I afford to help RecSports?
The size of the gift you make is entirely up to you. Donations of all sizes are vital and gratefully accepted. Every dollar we receive has the potential for exponential growth, since it helps RecSports improve its most valuable resources. Some donors find they can achieve their charitable goals through our many planned giving avenues, such as life insurance, property, real estate and securities, that don't require a large sum of cash-on-hand. Pledges may also help achieve your goals as a donor. Bear in mind that you may be able to double or even triple your gift by taking advantage of your employer's matching gift for higher education program.
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Will my company match my gift to RecSports?
Many companies offer employees — and sometimes spouses and retirees — a matching-gift benefit that doubles or triples their donations to higher education. Companies have various methods by which you can submit your matching-gift request: online forms, automated phone systems or paper forms that you submit to RecSports. Please visit your human resources office to learn more about matching-gift donations or contact RecSports for more information about matching gift companies and see if your gift qualifies. Read more about matching gift programs and search to see if your Company is on record as a participant.
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What is an endowment?
Donors may establish an endowment fund to ensure a gift’s long-lasting impact for RecSports, since only the income earned from investments may be disbursed. Since an endowment's principal is never spent, your gift continues in perpetuity. Our endowment funds are professionally invested and managed by the University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO). Please visit the endowments page for more information about gift opportunities.
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Can I give to my favorite program or scholarship?
Absolutely! The designation of your gift rests entirely in your hands. If you know the name of the program or scholarship, simply indicate it in the memo space on your check or in the comments section of the online giving page. The RecSports gift processing staff will ensure your contribution reaches the proper area. If you need guidance in designating a gift, our staff is happy to provide information about the Division's greatest needs and opportunities.
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Can I make a gift for buildings or facilities?
Many buildings and facilities, such as labs, libraries and lecture halls on campus are created from private donations. Our staff can direct you toward any current RecSports building or maintenance projects that need additional support. Visit our Special Projects page for more detailed facility options and to view the recognition opportunities that can accompany your gift.
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Can I make a pledge of support?
Yes; gift pledges to RecSports can be paid in monthly, quarterly or even annual installments and involve an initial payment. You can pledge online or contact our gift processing staff to set up a pledge payment plan.
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What if I want my gift to be anonymous?
RecSports enjoys the opportunity to publicize gifts in an effort to recognize donor generosity. This good news lets others know about the increasing importance of supporting higher education at state universities. Publicity could include press releases, articles in state newspapers, feature stories in University or Foundation publications or recognition in Foundation brochures. However, RecSports respects, and is happy to honor, your desire for anonymity. At the time of your donation, please indicate that you do not wish your name to appear in any form of publicity.
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Can I make a gift in honor or memory of someone?
Absolutely. Many donors contribute funds to honor a loved one or special individual. If you would like to make your gift in honor or memory of another person — or if you wish to give in another's name – just let us know the details. If a gift is made in memory of someone who has passed away, RecSports will notify their family of any gifts made in tribute. If a gift is made in honor of someone’s life or career, they will be notified of any gifts unless the donor requests anonymity. The RecSports staff is happy to carry out your wishes. Read more about honorary gifts.
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What is the difference between restricted and unrestricted gifts?
Unrestricted gifts provide a funding source for RecSports that is not limited to a specific program, scholarship, or facility. These gifts are used where needed most throughout the Division. On the other hand, restricted gifts are earmarked for specific purposes chosen by the donor, such as an endowed scholarship, program or building. Although both unrestricted and restricted gifts are welcome, unrestricted gifts are of critical importance because they allow the Division to provide funding in the areas of greatest need to meet unexpected challenges, take advantage of unique opportunities and meet the many day-to-day challenges of current higher education.
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How should I make out my check?
Gifts to RecSports, which are tax deductible, should be made out to "The University of Texas at Austin" and mailed to:
Division of Recreational Sports
Attn: Development Coordinator
1 University Station D7500
Austin, TX 78712-0395
Checks should indicate the purpose for which they're intended in the memo section.
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Is giving online really safe?
We know that some of our visitors and donors have reservations about entering their credit card information on our site. They are wary of websites and online businesses that aren't what they claim to be, and worried that their personal and financial information might fall into the wrong hands. On our giving site, your transaction is protected by SSL (Secure Sockets Layers). With SSL, the information you supply is encrypted before being sent to our server. This protects your transaction from unauthorized viewing while being transported across the Internet.
What is an SSL certificate?
An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates the identity of a website and encrypts information that is sent to the server using Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) technology.
A certificate serves as an electronic "passport" that establishes an online entity’s credentials when doing business on the Web. When an Internet user attempts to send confidential information to a Web server, the user’s browser accesses the server’s digital certificate and establishes a secure connection.
How can I tell if the page I’m on is SSL Certificate Protected?
An "https://" prefix in the URL and a key or padlock icon in the browser's status bar indicate that a website is secure.
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Are all gifts tax-deductible?
The University is considered a charitable organization for the purposes of tax deductibility under Section 170 of the IRS code. As soon as RecSports receives your gift, we place it in the designated fund. At the same time, the gift processing staff automatically generates a gift receipt to be mailed to you for tax preparations.
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How do I get tax credit for my charitable deduction?
As soon as RecSports receives your gift, we place it in the designated fund. At the same time, the gift processing staff automatically generates a gift receipt mailed to you for tax preparations. If you do not receive a formal acknowledgement within four weeks, please contact our office. Please consult your tax attorney or financial advisor to determine instructions and proper tax credits available for your gift.
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Can I receive a tax deduction for equipment or supplies I give to RecSports?
Yes; if you donate equipment and/or supplies, which are referred to as gifts-in-kind, you will receive a contribution receipt for items given and recognition of value for gifts that have been properly documented. Donors must submit documentation through a receipt, invoice or other appraisal instrument at the time the gift-in-kind occurs in order to establish a value for the donated items.
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I've heard that higher education in Texas is rich from oil money. Doesn’t that provide ample funding?
The state of Texas does use some oil revenue to help fund higher education, just as other states draw upon their industries to support public services. The Permanent University Fund (PUF) is a public endowment, and its income is derived from revenue generated by West Texas land provided by the state as a financial investment in higher education. Proceeds result from oil, gas, sulfur, and water royalties, rentals on mineral and grazing leases, and gains on investments. The PUF isn’t “extra” money — it’s part of the state’s higher-education funding structure.
The annual investment return on the $11.7 billion PUF is known as the Available University Fund, or AUF. Revenue from the AUF does not go exclusively to The University of Texas at Austin but to 18 institutions and six agencies in the Texas A&M and University of Texas Systems. UT Austin’s share for fiscal 2007-08 was $143.6 million out of the University’s total budget of $1.93 billion — about 7 percent.
While the University’s share of the AUF has remained relatively steady through the years, other sources of state funding have shrunk. Twenty years ago state appropriations provided 47 percent of the University’s budget. Today that number — less than 17 percent — is about a third of what it was in 1984-85.
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I can’t give much. Why bother?
Every gift counts, no matter the size. Many small gifts make a big difference when combined. Annual gifts strengthen RecSports programs, support new initiatives, and enrich the overall educational experience. Annual gifts also boost the University’s reputation: U.S. News & World Report considers alumni participation in annual giving when it ranks the nation’s universities.
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Do gifts to RecSports count towards University-wide donor recognition totals and society membership?
Absolutely. Gifts to RecSports count towards the University's prestigious giving societies such as the Littlefield Society and Chancellor's Council. Planned gifts to RecSports also are awarded with membership into Texas Leadership Society.
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Is there someone with whom I can discuss my interest in giving to RecSports?
The RecSports development staff is knowledgeable, discreet and happy to assist you in any way possible. We work to unite donors and university passions and priorities to achieve excellence. Please contact the RecSports development office for more information about giving opportunities.
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