FAQ
Q: Is my contribution to the Tennessee Fund tax deductible?
A: Yes, the Internal Revenue Service allows a full deduction on contributions where there is no tangible or intangible benefit to the donor otherwise an 80% deduction is allowed when the benefit is received. Contact your financial advisor for detailed information.
Q: How is my gift to the Tennessee Fund used?
A: Your gift to the Tennessee Fund is used for student-athlete scholarship costs, facility upkeep, and general operating budget needs. With over 500 student-athletes on campus the role the Tennessee Fund plays is critical in the success of the program.
Q: How many members are there in the Tennessee Fund?
A: There are about 15,000 active Tennessee Fund members.
Q: Who can join the Tennessee Fund?
A: All Tennessee fans are encouraged to join the Tennessee Fund. You do not have to be a former student-athlete or alum of The University of Tennessee to join.
Q: What is the minimum gift required to get season football tickets?
A: Each year due to normal attrition approximately 2,000 tickets become available to meet the ticket requests of existing and new Tennessee Fund donors. In May, once all ticket applications have been returned, the ticket office is able to assess how many tickets are available for new Tennessee Fund – Men’s Athletics members. We then fill all orders starting at the highest annual giving category and moving downward. Last year anyone who made a gift of at least $100 by March 1st was given the priority to purchase a pair of renewable season tickets.
Q: Why is it necessary to become a donor in order to receive season tickets?
A: Demand for benefits such as tickets and parking passes created the need for a system to be established in which these benefits could be distributed fairly. The Tennessee Fund was created in part, in response to this need. The donor priority system allows us to track support and award benefits as a way to say thank you for the support. The athletic department is 100% self funded without financial support from tax or tuition derived dollars.
Q: How are season tickets assigned or how can I improve my current season tickets?
A: The Tennessee Fund begins with the highest annual giving category and ranks each donor in that category that has made a request to move their seats or is purchasing tickets for the first time. Requests from donors in the highest giving category will be reviewed first in rank order and this process will continue until requests from donors in all giving categories are reviewed. Any requests for seating changes must be made in writing and should be mailed with your ticket order. A form to request changing the location of your season tickets can be found on utsports.com.
Q: I am a $1,000 donor with a Tennessee Fund rank of 2800 and season tickets in section X2. My friend is a $2,500 donor with a Tennessee Fund rank of 5000. She is purchasing season tickets for the first time. Who would have their ticket request reviewed first? If I wanted to move my tickets to sections R or W, would this be possible?
A: Based on her higher annual giving level, your friend would have her ticket request reviewed first. However, if you chose to increase your annual giving level by March 1, your request would be reviewed first because of your higher point ranking. More than likely, we could not change your tickets unless you increased your giving level. Based on last year’s requirements, the last person who received tickets in sections R or W was a $2,500 annual donor.
Q: My friend tells me that his season football tickets are grandfathered. What does this mean?
A: The Tennessee Fund was founded in 1986. Anyone who already was purchasing season tickets at that time was not required to make an annual Tennessee Fund gift to retain these tickets. Beginning with the 2006 season grandfathered season ticket holders on the sidelines were given the opportunity to begin making a donation at a reduced rate or move their seating location to the end zones and have those remain grandfathered. Grandfathered tickets still remain in the upper and lower level endzones at Neyland Stadium.
Q: Why does my friend not have to give as much as me, yet he has better seats than I do?
A: This is a way in which the Tennessee Fund rewards loyalty from its long-time donors. The demand for the best seats in Neyland Stadium has increased over time, thus the minimum donation for these seat locations has also increased. If an individual entered the Tennessee Fund and received the opportunity to purchase a pair of tickets for their gift of $500, they feasibly could now have priority for tickets that would require a donation of $2,500 for a new person entering the Tennessee Fund in 2010.
Q: I have football or basketball season tickets, but would like to have my seats moved to a better location. Are my tickets automatically upgraded to better seats?
A: No. Once you obtain priority season tickets, you have the ability to keep those seats each year you maintain your Tennessee Fund donation and continue to purchase the tickets. However, if you would like to change your seat location, please submit your request via our website or in writing to the Tennessee Fund office or to the ticket office. Your request will be considered according to your annual fund level and then in rank order.
Q: Once I have priority football or basketball season tickets, how do I keep them?
A: The annual Tennessee Fund gift level you made when you obtained your specific seat location is the ongoing “baseline” to retain the same location. As long as you continue to maintain the same annual gift, you will maintain the priority to purchase your tickets.
