Give Back to the University That Gave You So Much

Your time at the University of Tennessee shaped your life in profound ways. The education you received, the friendships you formed, the opportunities you encountered—these gifts have yielded returns that extend far beyond graduation day. Now you have the chance to ensure that future generations of students experience those same life-changing opportunities.

UT scholarship recipient at awards ceremony

Why Your Gift Matters

Public universities face ongoing funding challenges. While state support remains important, it covers a decreasing percentage of operating costs. Tuition increases are carefully constrained to maintain access for Tennessee families. The gap is filled by philanthropic support from people who understand UT's value because they experienced it themselves.

Alumni giving makes a measurable difference:

  • Scholarships reduce student debt and enable talented students to attend UT regardless of financial circumstances
  • Endowed professorships attract and retain world-class faculty who drive breakthrough research
  • Facility improvements create modern learning environments that prepare students for 21st-century careers
  • Program support funds experiential learning, internships, study abroad, and research opportunities
  • Annual fund contributions provide flexible resources that university leaders can deploy where they're needed most

According to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education (CASE), alumni participation in giving—regardless of gift size—signals institutional health and attracts additional funding from corporations and foundations. When alumni give back, everyone wins.

Ways to Give

The UT Alumni Association offers numerous giving opportunities that align with your interests and capacity:

Annual Fund

Unrestricted annual gifts provide immediate support for the university's most pressing needs. These flexible funds allow deans and department chairs to respond to unexpected opportunities, assist students facing emergencies, and invest in emerging priorities. Annual Fund gifts of any size make a difference—every donor counts.

Scholarship Support

Student debt is one of the greatest challenges facing today's graduates. Your scholarship gifts directly reduce this burden:

  • Need-Based Scholarships: Help talented students from low-income families access UT education
  • Merit Scholarships: Attract top students who might otherwise attend competing universities
  • Program-Specific Scholarships: Support students in your major or college
  • Named Endowed Scholarships: Create a lasting legacy by establishing a permanent scholarship in your name or in honor of a beloved professor

Endowed scholarships (typically requiring a $25,000 minimum) generate annual scholarship awards in perpetuity. One gift can impact hundreds of students across generations.

Academic Program Enhancement

Invest in the academic programs that prepared you for success:

  • Fund cutting-edge laboratory equipment and research facilities
  • Support study abroad scholarships and international experiences
  • Sponsor student research grants and creative projects
  • Endow lecture series bringing distinguished speakers to campus
  • Create innovation labs and makerspaces for experiential learning

Faculty Support

Great universities are defined by great faculty. Your gifts can:

  • Establish endowed chairs and professorships ($1-2 million typically required)
  • Fund junior faculty research grants
  • Support faculty development and professional enrichment
  • Provide resources for innovative teaching methods and course development

Facility and Capital Projects

Modern facilities enhance learning and research:

  • Classroom renovations with updated technology
  • Recreation and wellness facilities
  • Library improvements and digital resources
  • Athletic facilities and training centers
  • Student union and gathering spaces

Naming opportunities are available for significant capital gifts.

Alumni Association Operations

Support the association itself, ensuring it can continue providing services to all alumni:

  • Fund networking events and chapter activities
  • Support career services programming
  • Underwrite communications and outreach efforts
  • Enable technology improvements for better alumni engagement

Giving Levels and Recognition

The UT Alumni Association recognizes donors at various levels:

  • Volunteer Club ($100-$499 annually)
  • Smokey's Howl ($500-$999 annually)
  • Century Club ($1,000-$2,499 annually)
  • Orange and White Society ($2,500-$4,999 annually)
  • Torchbearer Society ($5,000-$9,999 annually)
  • Sesquicentennial Society ($10,000+ annually)

Each level includes special benefits such as invitations to exclusive events, recognition in publications, and stewardship reports showing your impact.

Planned Giving and Legacy Gifts

Consider including UT in your estate plans:

  • Bequest Gifts: Designate UT as a beneficiary in your will or trust
  • Charitable Gift Annuities: Receive income for life while supporting UT
  • Retirement Account Gifts: Name UT as beneficiary of IRA or 401(k) accounts
  • Life Insurance Gifts: Donate paid-up policies or name UT as beneficiary
  • Real Estate Gifts: Contribute property to establish scholarships or programs

The UT Office of Gift Planning can help structure gifts that benefit both you and the university, often with favorable tax advantages.

Matching Gifts

Many employers match charitable contributions dollar-for-dollar (or more). Check with your human resources department to see if your company participates in matching gift programs. You can often double or triple your impact simply by completing a form.

Volunteer Your Time and Talent

Giving back isn't only about money. Your time and expertise are equally valuable:

  • Mentor current students exploring your career path
  • Serve on alumni chapter boards or advisory committees
  • Speak in classes or at career panels
  • Host internships or job shadowing experiences
  • Participate in admissions recruitment events
  • Volunteer at alumni service projects

Student Emergency Fund

The Student Emergency Fund provides rapid assistance to students facing unexpected financial crises that threaten their ability to stay enrolled:

  • Medical emergencies and unexpected health costs
  • Family emergencies requiring travel
  • Housing instability or eviction prevention
  • Technology needs for remote learning
  • Food insecurity and basic needs support

These small grants—often just a few hundred dollars—can make the difference between a student completing their degree or dropping out.

Impact Stories

Every gift has a story. When you contribute to UT, you're not just supporting an institution—you're changing individual lives:

  • First-generation students who become the first in their families to earn college degrees
  • Researchers making breakthroughs that improve healthcare and solve global challenges
  • Student organizations creating inclusive communities and developing future leaders
  • Athletes competing at the highest levels while earning meaningful degrees
  • Artists and musicians sharing their gifts with campus and community

The university provides regular impact reports so donors can see exactly how their gifts are being used and the difference they're making.

Tax Benefits of Giving

Charitable contributions to the University of Tennessee Foundation (a 501(c)(3) organization) are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law. Benefits may include:

  • Income tax deductions for cash and appreciated asset gifts
  • Capital gains tax savings on donated stock or real estate
  • Estate tax reductions through planned gifts
  • State tax credits for certain types of gifts (check Tennessee tax laws)

Consult your financial advisor or tax professional to understand how charitable giving fits into your overall financial plan.

Make Your Gift Today

You can make a gift online, by phone, or by mail. Gifts of cash, stock, real estate, and other assets are all welcome. No gift is too small—every contribution matters and every donor is appreciated.

When you give to UT, you're investing in Tennessee's future. You're honoring the professors who challenged you, the friends who supported you, and the experiences that shaped you. You're ensuring that future students have opportunities as transformative as the ones you received.

Thank you for considering a gift to the University of Tennessee. Together, we can ensure that the institution we love continues to thrive for generations to come.