I have grown accustomed to the way I renewed my gifts and memberships, why make a change?

Syracuse has been fortunate to have a fan base that supports a wide variety of programs in the Athletic Department. Our donors have the option to support their own unique combination of sport specific giving clubs, scholarship endowments, preferred and premier seating, and facilities. As a result some of our donors would receive as many as five renewal notices for the various gifts they made to the Athletic Department. We believe a single invoice summarizing the cumulative giving from the previous year gives our donors a much more concise and clear picture of the overall impact of their gifts. Because our new courtesy system is directly tied to the total of all gifts made to Athletics each fiscal year, our donors will find it much easier to understand what kind of recognition they will receive for their generosity. The new system will extend courtesies to those who may not have received them in the past and also give donors the opportunity to quickly see the benefits of increasing their gifts to Syracuse Athletics.

What gifts and payments count toward my benefits?

We will consider the following charitable contributions and payments in your cumulative total: Orange Club Memberships, gifts designated to any of our varsity sports, gifts to Orange Plus, gifts to our general fund, endowment gifts, gifts for facilities, pledge payments, Preferred Seating payments, Executive Club Suite seating payments, Courtside Club seating payments, and Box Suite payments will all be counted into your cumulative total for the year. Deferred gifts such as bequests, gift annuities and charitable trusts will be reviewed on a case by case basis. Payments for Varsity Club, Football Lettermen’s Club, and the Syracuse Alumni Rowing Association (SARA) are not included in these totals and will be renewed by separate mailings from those organizations.

What is the fiscal year of Syracuse University and the Orange Club?

The fiscal year for Syracuse University and the Orange Club begins on July 1st and ends on June 30th.

So when should I expect my summarized invoices?

The Orange Club office will send invoices out in early December. Our goal is to have all gifts and payments renewed or paid by the middle of May. Do my gifts provide benefits for me during the current fiscal year or are they applied to the following year? Any gifts received during the fiscal year (July 1-June 30) will be counted toward benefits for the athletic season beginning in the fall. For example, if the total amount of your gifts for the 2006-2007 fiscal year is $5,000 you would receive courtesies offered to the Director membership level for the 2007-2008 season. 

Does this mean that I will lose the benefits associated with the Ernie Davis and Dave Bing Clubs?

No. The amounts contributed to the Ernie Davis and Dave Bing Clubs will still be included in your total giving each fiscal year. In the past, many courtesies were extended only to donors who supported these two funds. Under the new system the benefits of being an Ernie Davis and/or Dave Bing members will be enhanced by preferred and premier seating payments, endowment gifts and contributions for our facility projects. If I increase my gifts above and beyond those that are included in my invoice can I become eligible for more benefits in the current fiscal year? Yes. We certainly encourage and appreciate increased support of the University and the Department of Athletics. These increases allow us to more fully meet the needs of our student-athletes. If you wish to improve your eligibility for a higher level of courtesies please contact the Orange Club Office at 315-443-1419 and we would be happy to assist you.

What if I make a multi-year pledge to a facility project or scholarship fund in the Department of Athletics?

Multi-year pledges are certainly welcome and provide significant benefits to Syracuse Athletics over time. Still, a small number of multi-year pledges may go unfulfilled - often for reasons beyond the donor’s control. In light of this, we have chosen to use a system that is based on actual gifts received each year in order to be as equitable as possible.

What about deferred gifts such as bequests, trusts, life insurance and charitable gift annuities?

Deferred gifts can often be given a value based on the revocable nature of the gift and the age of the donor(s) and/or their beneficiaries. Deferred gifts will be reviewed on a case by case basis.

How quickly do I have to make my payments?

In order to accurately determine the benefits for the coming fiscal year, we ask that all gifts are renewed by the middle of May.

Can I make gifts using other assets besides cash?

Yes. Syracuse is capable of accepting gifts of appreciated securities and non-marketable assets such as real estate and closely-held stock. We can also assist you in establishing gifts that provide you with a lifetime stream of income. If you would like to discuss these options in more detail please contact Lisa Moore, Assistant Director of Athletics for Development and Gift Planning at 315-443-1419 or lrmoore@syr.edu.

Will I receive reminders for my gifts?

Yes. The Orange Club Office will send quarterly reminders to our donors beginning January 1st. The reminders will show an updated summary of gifts made to date and renewals that are to be paid by the middle of May to be eligible for courtesies in the coming fiscal year.

What about my Orange Club points?

The point system represents the long history many of our donors have with our department. They will continue to be a valuable tool for us we look to determine who will take precedence for courtesies when supply and demand are not in balance. Orange Club points will effectively be a method for “tie breaking” when we have to prioritize the courtesies we offer donors within a specific membership level. As of June 30, 2006 Orange Club points will be awarded as follows: Existing Orange Club points – one point per existing point New gifts or payments to Athletics – 10 points per $100 Donors will receive 10 points each fiscal year simply for renewing their annual support of Athletics. Varsity Club Membership – 10 points awarded each time you renew your membership Frequently Asked Questions 9/06

Can I still contact the Orange Club office for tickets and parking passes?

Under the new system, all ticket and parking requests will go through the Box Office. Priority will be given to donors based on giving totals for the previous fiscal year as well as contributions in the current year. Customer service and communication is a high priority for the Orange Club and the Box Office. Our new courtesy system, combined with the new Orange Club point system, provides the Box Office with a clear set of criteria for distribution of tickets and parking passes. A new computer module was recently designed for the Box Office that gives their staff the information they need to accurately and equitably assign tickets and parking passes. By directing all ticket and parking requests to the Box Office, we will eliminate duplication between the two offices and waste less of our donors’ time.

What if my company matches my gifts – will the match apply to my total giving each year?

If you have sent in a matching gift form with your contribution we will credit your giving record with the match. It should be noted that many companies only send their matching gifts on an annual, semi-annual or quarterly basis. Some companies will not send matching gifts for preferred seating or will only send a match for the tax deductible portion of the gift. It is not uncommon for a company to send unrestricted matching dollars to the University because they will not make matching gifts to athletics. Your human resources office should be able to tell you your company’s matching gift policies.

How does the new system handle post-season games?

It should be noted that Syracuse University is limited to tickets as they are distributed by the NCAA and the Big East Conference. As with other courtesies, we will give our donors access to post-season tickets based on the various courtesies offered at each giving level.

What about other events in the Carrier Dome such as NCAA Tournaments, where Syracuse is not participating, or concerts?

Again, the University is given a limited allotment for tickets to concerts and other events not associated with the Athletic Department. We will make every effort to apply our courtesy system in an equitable fashion.

My gifts to Syracuse include support of my college and other academic units other than Athletics. How will this affect the benefits I receive for tickets and parking passes?

The University is reviewing and reorganizing the courtesies it provides to ALL of our donors. The Orange Club office is in close communication with the Office of Donor Relations in Institutional Advancement. We will work diligently with that office to ensure that we are appropriately recognizing those who generously support Syracuse’s academic and athletic programs and not duplicating our efforts. Will my gifts to Athletics still be tax deductible? Gifts and payments to Syracuse Athletics are deductible according to the maximum amount allowed by the Internal Revenue Service. We encourage you to review your charitable giving plans with your tax advisor. If you have a question that is not addressed here, please call the Orange Club office at 315-443-1419. Thank you again for your generosity!