Championship GIVING

Education and Opportunity. It's what drives us in our constant pursuit of excellence. At Oklahoma, we embrace a bold vision for creating a world-class experience for our student-athletes, which largely depends on creating championship resources for nearly 600 Sooners. 
Championship Giving encapsulates all the critical resources OU Athletics provides student-athletes and our sports programs. Over the years, we have worked to make giving to these critical areas easier and equally as beneficial to our generous donors. Now those making a philanthropic gift to a facility project, scholarship, or the Inspiring Champions Fund (including the optional gift noted on your invoice) will receive three (3) points per $100. These points earned will remain on your account for life. These enhancements are significant for those participating in Championship Giving as the priority points earned from these gifts are 3x the value of a traditional seat-related gift. 
As the legendary Barry Switzer famously said, "People don't know what it means to be champions. Oklahoma invented it." 

At the Sooner Club, our goal is align your passions with opportunities to change a life! Thank you for being a "Champion of Magic!" 

Point changes will be reflected by the end of the 2022 renewal period in April 2022.

Bonus points for pledges

Multi-year pledges have allowed OU Athletics to identify and secure future funding for future needs. To align our upcoming initiatives with those who consider multi-year pledges for Championship Giving areas, additional points may be earned for total pledges exceeding the amounts noted below. Members who elect to pledge a multi-year gift will receive the following benefits:
  1. All Championship Points for the total gift upon committing to the pledge even though a gift will be paid over several years. 
  2. Additional Championship Points available when gifts exceed pledge amounts below.
  3. Opportunity to lock in a membership level for multiple years
  4. Donor Naming Recognitions available for gifts a total pledge of $10,000+
  5. Establish a tax deductible vehicle over multiple years for personal and/or business planning 
​PLEDGE AMOUNT
3 POINTS PER $100
4 POINTS PER $100
$10,000
300 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
-
$40,000
1200 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS
-
$50,000
-
2000 CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS

benefits of a pledged gift

Philanthropic commitments of $25,000 or more made to facility project, special initiative, scholarship or the Inspiring Champions Fund are able to be pledged and paid out over a 2-5 year period.  For example, a pledge of $25,000 may be paid with equal installments of $5,000 over a 5-year period. This allows for great flexibility to the donor, provides additional championship priority points up front and allows OU Athletics to count on those payments when pursuing facility projects. Below is a breakdown of how a multi-year pledge is typically structured and how it can be beneficial for you. 
Example of a $25,000 Pledge to be paid over 5-years
​Donor would receive 750 Championship Points upon commitment.
2022
2023
2024
2025
2026
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000
$5,000

ways to make a gift

Stock Transfer
Philanthropic gifts to the Sooner Club and OU Athletics can be made in the form of a stock transfer. Please contact your Sooner Club Representative or our office to ensure that your gift is allocated appropriately. In addition, please provide the following information when setting up your transfer. 

Fidelity Investments
Account Number: X67-566080 
DTC Number: 0226 
Account Name: University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. 
OU Foundation EIN/TIN:73-6091755

Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Account Number: 8769-8533 
DTC Number: 0164 
Account Name: University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. 
OU Foundation EIN/TIN: 73-6091755

Transfer securities
For gifts of securities, send by registered mail the unsigned stock certificates along with information about the gift designation to: 
The University of Oklahoma Foundation, Inc. 
100 Timberdell Rd 
Norman, OK 73019 
Mail the stock/bond power form (available from your broker) separately. Ensure that all owners of the stock sign this form.
IRA Distributions
Taxpayers age 72 or older may make a qualified charitable distribution (“QCD”) of up to $100,000 per year from an Individual Retirement Account (“IRA”) directly to the OU Foundation without incurring income tax on the withdrawal.[1]

​The tax exclusion applies to traditional IRAs and Roth IRAs only. Other forms of retirement plans such as 401(k), 403(b), defined benefit and contribution plans, profit-sharing plans, Keoghs and employer-sponsored SEPs, and SIMPLE plans are not eligible.
 
Note that a QCD gift from an IRA cannot be used for seating priority gifts.

Please contact your Sooner Club Representative or our office to ensure that your gift is allocated appropriately.
 
[1] Make sure to consult your tax advisor if you wish to make a QCD from your IRA in the same year you make an IRA contribution, as limitations may apply.
ESTATE GIFTS
A planned gift is the ultimate way to leave a legacy with OU Athletics and make an impact on our student-athletes for generations to come. 

Donors can plan a gift to OU Athletics when creating a will, drawing estate plans or declaring beneficiaries on insurance policies. IRAs or Pensions can be transferred to OU Athletics, eliminating a double or triple taxation a heir could be subject to. A charity, such as OU Athletics, will receive 100% of the funds at no tax cost. Donors will also enjoy tax deductions when naming OU Athletics as a beneficiary of an insurance policy.

Notifying OU Athletics of these plans now can ensure that the donor’s intended use of the gift is properly stewarded.

areas of focus