The Athletic Development Office wants
to thank you in advance for supporting Maine student-athletes.
Maine is proud to have such an outstanding athletic heritage, but
needs you to continue to strive for excellence. We are committed to
funding more scholarships for our student-athletes and providing
support for the entire athletic program.
Individual Team Gift Fund: The team gift fund
provides each team with much needed support. The monies from each
respective account goes to underwriting the scholarship budget for
the team. In addition, the money is used for each program to
maintain their competitive edge in the national and regional scene.
Finally, some money is also used to help enhance the
student-athlete's quality of life as a member of the athletic
program.
Black Bear Fund: The Black Bear Fund provides
annual scholarship support for our student-athletes. A gift to the
Black Bear Fund is the more direct and effective way to impact the
entire department, and its student-athletes. With scholarships
costs exceeding $4.2 million annually, gifts to the Black Bear Fund
offset these costs and provide invaluable annual financial aid to
our dedicated student-athletes.
Athletic Director's Fund: The Athletic
Director's Fund is used in areas that are needed most, as defined
by the athletic director. Giving the AD discretion as to where
money can be spent allows the athletic program to move forward even
when temporary set backs may arise. Unrestricted general funds can
help retain and attract top-flight coaches and can help make
upgrades to facilities that fall outside the realm of basic
maintenance.
Endowed Scholarships: One way to provide
continuing support for Maine student-athletes is to endow a
scholarship. This creates a perpetual fund that is vital to the
future success of Maine athletics. An endowed scholarship may be
established with a $10,000 gift and requires a gift of $250,000 to
fully fund an in-state scholarship. Many supporters have chosen
this as a way to give to Maine athletics and honor an individual or
team. Unlike the annual scholarship, an endowed scholarship is
awarded in the donor's name in perpetuity.
Gifts In Kind: Rather than a monetary gift, the
Black Bear Club will accept certain gifts such as office equipment
and supplies. These types of contributions allow the Black Bear
Club to offset expenses while providing support for Maine
athletics. Gifts such as these are acknowledged and the donor
receives Black Bear Club credit as well as the tax deduction.
Matching Gifts: Many corporations will match a
gift made to the Black Bear Club. Your gift to Maine Athletics may
be matched or even doubled by your employer. Matching gift forms
may be obtained through your employer (usually the human resources
or personnel offices) and should be submitted with your
contribution. The Black Bear Club may be of assistance regarding
questions concerning matching gift companies.
Memorial Gifts: The memory of a loved one may
be preserved through a gift to the Black Bear Club. A memorial gift
is acknowledged to the family of the deceased and you will receive
a tax deduction.
Named Annual Scholarships: An annual
scholarship may be created by making a minimum gift of $10,000 to
fund a scholarship each year. Full and partial scholarships may be
established. The entire amount of the gift is awarded annually in
the donor's name.
Planned Gifts: Planned and deferred gifts are
an increasingly popular way to donate to Maine as they allow for
more flexibility with your gift. Gifts of insurance, annuities,
will provisions and trusts are only a few ways to leave a legacy to
Maine.
Real Estate: The Black Bear Club accepts
certain gifts of real estate and evaluates each property based on
valuation, market and tax implications.
Stock: You may want to consider using stock
instead of cash to make a gift to Maine. If stock you have owned
for more than one year has appreciated in value since you first
acquired it, you can donate it directly to Maine instead of selling
it yourself. You can avoid a hefty capital gains tax AND you can
receive an income tax charitable deduction based on the market
value of the stock on the day you donate it.
Securities: Many Black Bear Club members wish
to donate through gifts of securities. The donor may avoid capital
gains taxes for appreciated securities and may also claim a
charitable income tax deduction based on the fair market value of
the securities on the date on donation. The donor will receive full
gift credit at the time of the transaction.
Fiscal Year: The Black Bear Club fiscal year
commences on July 1 and operates through June 30 of the following
year. Ticket priority is awarded for the prior fiscal year. In
other words, you must make a gift to the Black Bear Club in the
prior fiscal year in order to receive priority points for the
current year.
Cash Gifts: Gifts of cash are the most common
form of donations. Cash and checks are recorded and acknowledged
through the Black Bear Club. Checks should be made out to the Black
Bear Club.
Credit Cards: Making a donation by credit card
is one of the most convenient and quick ways to join the Black Bear
Club.
For more information on giving to UMaine Athletics, contact us
at:
Athletic Development
5747 Memorial Gymnasium
Orono, ME 04469
Ph: 207-581-1130
