As the official fundraising arm of WKU Athletics, the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation prides itself on representing a wide variety of donor interests and all 16 teams and nearly 350 student-athletes. To that end, the HAF offers donors many options in choosing how to support the Hilltoppers.
Though your donor level is vital to ascertaining your level of rank, priority points play a key role in determining your overall rank within your current donor membership level. You can earn points from the following categories each year and accumulate year-to-year.
WKU Athletics is currently seeking funding for various facility construction projects, as outlined in the WKU Athletic Facilities Master Plan. Current plans call for renovation of existing facilities as well as construction of new facilities throughout the WKU campus. Over $100 million has been invested in WKU athletic facilities over the last decade, providing the championship level amenities necessary to recruit and train WKU student-athletes.
While annual fund needs are always critical, some donors may choose to have a direct impact on a sport program or team and the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation is proud to support the needs of all our programs. Through direct funding opportunities, you may choose to invest directly in the sport of your choosing and assist in providing meaningful and necessary budget support for projects, enhancements, and other direct program needs.
Gifts to sport-specific enhancement funds directly supplement the operating budgets of individual WKU sport programs. Donations can be made to any of the 16 WKU NCAA sponsored sport programs.
Contributions through enhancement funds are separate from general HAF giving levels and do not qualify for donor level rank or benefits with HAF.
Scholarships provide the necessary funding for many student-athletes to achieve the full WKU experience by allowing them to participate in intercollegiate athletics. Through our partnership with the College Heights Foundation, the HAF provides countless opportunities for your gift to directly impact a deserving student-athlete on the Hill. Scholarship gifts can be crafted to impact particular sport and degree programs, and provide a truly life-changing opportunity for a degree from Western Kentucky University. With smart spending policies (4-5%, on average) that ensure that your legacy lives on in perpetuity, you can make a difference for generations to come. For more information, contact our staff.
Individuals can leave a meaningful legacy by including WKU Athletics as a beneficiary in their estate plans. Planned gifts can provide a perfect opportunity for individuals to maximize their charitable giving while also minimizing the tax consequences of their estate. A variety of estate planning vehicles may be considered including a Will bequest, gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, charitable lead trusts, retirement funds, or life insurance policies.
Please contact Aaron Epstein AD – Development for more details or to discuss some of these giving vehicles in greater detail to determine the option that might be best for your individual philanthropic needs.
Your donation can be made to the HAF by one of the following methods:
Donations in the form of cash, checks (made payable to the HAF), or by credit card are the most popular form of giving.
We can spread your payments over a time period you desire and make automatic withdrawals from your specified bank account at no additional cost to you (contact HAF for details).
Many organizations will match their employee’s HAF contributions. Check with your company’s benefits department for matching gift information.
If you are a WKU employee, your HAF contribution may be made utilizing a payroll deduction by logging onto WKU TopNet.
Non-monetary donations can also be accepted through the HAF office. Please keep in mind that these types of gifts must have prior approval by WKU Department of Athletics.
Major gifts include such items as naming opportunities, gifts designated for special athletic projects, or contributions to a specific sports program. Such contributions may be spread out over a period of years.
Each year the Hilltopper Athletic Foundation raffles off a Corvette or $35,000. The event has generated over $2 million since its inception in 1994 and will be celebrating its 26th anniversary in 2019! All proceeds benefit HAF and scholarship funding for our WKU student- athletes. Purchase tickets here.
Your loyal support and passion is critical in keeping the Hilltoppers competitive.