Annual Membership
The annual giving program is the core of private support for Washington State University Athletics. Join the Cougar Athletic Fund (CAF) with an annual contribution of $100 ($8.34/month) or more. Annual Fund support provides necessary resources for more than 450 student-athletes. With your support to The Annual Fund, we will be able to provide a transformational student-athlete experience, build champions on and off the field, and elevate Washington State University.
Priority allocation on season tickets and upgrades, parking, postseason tickets, away game tickets, and other member benefits will be allocated by annual giving level first then CAF rank within each giving level. A priority structure allows for the CAF to objectively reward loyal and generous annual fund members for supporting WSU student-athletes.
Gifts can be submitted by credit card (Visa or MasterCard), cash, check, electronic funds transfer, and stock transfer. Please make checks payable to "Cougar Athletic Fund." To join the CAF today, please visit HERE
(Note: All annual CAF donations for football priority seating and parking privileges for the upcoming season must be received by June 30. Effective January 1, 2018, the IRS no longer considers priority athletic seating contributions, including those made by gifts of stock, to be tax deductible. While an IRA charitable rollover gift can be made to Athletics, the IRS does not permit the donor to receive any Cougar Athletic priority points or other privileges, such as priority for season tickets, in exchange for the gift. Donor Advised Fund distributions are subject to the same restrictions. As with any contribution, please consult your tax professional about the impact this may have on you.)
Capital Projects
Providing world-class facilities are important for fulfilling our commitment to current student-athletes to provide them with a transformational student-athlete experience to reach their full potential as a student and athlete. Enhancing facilities through philanthropic support not only unlocks the potential of our current student-athletes, but also showcases the commitment to intercollegiate athletics to prospective student-athletes. For information on our past and current capital project priorities, visit "Capital Projects" page from the top dropdown. Please contact athletics.caf@wsu.edu or 877-IMA-COUG if you are interested in investing in a capital project initiative.
(Note: Capital Gifts cannot count towards your CAF Requirement for WSU season tickets or parking.)
Endowments
An endowed student-athlete scholarship provides a lasting stream of support to Washington State University Athletics. The endowed funds are held in perpetuity by the WSU Foundation - investing the principal and using a portion of the annual return to fund scholarship awards for student-athletes.
- Options range from $625,000 for a fully endowed scholarship (payable over five years) to $50,000 for a minimum endowment gift. Head-coaching endowments are available and range from $1,250,000 to $15 million depending on the coaching position.
- The use and purpose of the endowed gift is documented in a written Gift Use Agreement (GUA) between the donor, WSU, and the WSU Foundation. Once established, your endowment fund will be used exclusively for the purpose outlined in the GUA.
- Your endowment is prudently invested along with all endowed funds at the WSU Foundation. The Foundation’s investment portfolio is diversified to provide healthy long-term returns that should outperform the general market over time while minimizing losses during market downturns.
- Each year, a percentage of your endowed fund’s 36-month rolling average value is distributed to benefit WSU as designated in the GUA. Investment growth beyond the annual expenditure to the University and advancement fee is added to the principal to help protect the fund against inflation and market fluctuations.
By endowing an athletic scholarship, you will create a lasting legacy of philanthropy with WSU Athletics and address a priority in growing the university's scholarship endowment. There are many vehicles you might consider to establish an endowed athletic scholarship:
- Cash gift or other current assets
- Irrevocable deferred/planned gift
- Bequest
Once the endowed scholarship is established – additional gifts can be made, thereby increasing the value and impact of your scholarship in future years.
(Note: Endowment donations do not count toward your CAF Requirement for season tickets or parking.)
Planned Gifts
By including Washington State University Athletics in your estate or financial plans, you will make a lasting difference and provide opportunities to future generations. You can plan a gift to benefit student-athletes today or after your lifetime, often with tax benefits for you.
A planned gift can offer substantial tax and estate planning benefits and allow you to make a larger and more lasting gift to Washington State University. It can be a gift Cougar Athletics receives now or in the future, and it is also a way you can be a key supporter while meeting your own financial goals. Planned gifts to Cougar Athletics can be made through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities, life insurance, retirement accounts, real estate, and numerous other tax-wise tools.
Estate gifts are among WSU's largest sources of private support. In fact, more than one-third of WSU's $360 million endowment has come from estate gifts. After providing for family and other loved ones, you may include a gift to the WSU Foundation in your estate plan to continue your annual gift in perpetuity or to make a special gift not possible during your lifetime. This can be accomplished through a bequest in a Will or Living Trust or as a beneficiary designation on life insurance, IRAs, qualified retirement plans, etc. To document an estate gift with the CAF, contact the Pullman office at athletics.caf@wsu.edu or 877-IMA-COUG.
