Further your Impact
Become a Champion Donor
The IHSAA views high school athletics as the second classroom, teaching skills and fostering development to our next generation of leaders.
The IHSAA itself is made up of member schools with an emphasis of the teaching and learning both in the classroom and on the field.
Like our expectation of our student-athletes to learn and our commitment to teach them, we also want to ensure we provide educational information on how to be a Champion Donor.
Below is information to keep you informed of your options, additional information, and how to become more involved with the IHSAA Foundation.
Your annual gift makes a big difference. It goes to work immediately, ensuring that students within our communities have the support and services they need to succeed.
Schools, programs, and leaders depend on the regular replenishment they get from annual gifts. So, by giving what you can each year, you’re making it possible for the IHSAA Foundation to continue providing opportunities to all of our students and the countless others within the communities that education-based athletics touch.
There are multiple ways to support the IHSAA Foundation and our next generation of leaders besides writing a check. Working alongside your team of financial advisors and with a little thought, you can support the mission of the IHSAA Foundation within your overall estate or financial plan.
A few examples of this type of giving include:
- Wills & Living Trusts
- Beneficiary Designations
- Charitable Gift Annuities
- Charitable Remainder and Lead Trusts
- Memorials & Tributes
- And more!
If interested in planned giving, contact IHSAA Foundation Director, Trip Lukemeyer, to discuss available opportunities and programs with immediate needs.
One of the easiest ways to further the impact of your gift is to explore organizations willing to match all, or a portion, of your donation to a charitable organization. The best part, these matching gifts are at no cost to you.
The most common matching gift is from an employer who wishes to contribute and invest in causes that their employees care about.
Many times employees are unaware of their employer's policy on matching gifts. While not all organization's offer this ability, each donor should touch base with their Human Resources Department or Executive Team to check that ability.
A type of matching gift, these contributions encourage others to join in.
The most common example of a challenge gift would be a fundraiser where a student runs laps around a track. A donor can pledge a certain amount if the student reaches a selected number of laps, or contribute a set amount per lap selected.
This type of gift allows for not only financial support but can encourage others to join in on the mission and learn about an organization you hold dear.
Starting at age 73, those with certain retirement accounts are required to take a portion of that fund out each year and report it as income. In some cases, this additional income can have a negative tax burden.
By working with your financial advisor and others with fiduciary responsibilities, you can contribute part or all of your Required Minimum Distribution directly to a Qualified Charitable Institution (QCI) like the IHSAA Foundation to avoid this burden.
Like the 22 IHSAA sports, we love to see each of you at any of our upcoming in-person events; including the upcoming IHSAA Foundation Golf Outing.
To see all of our upcoming events, visit our EVENTS page.
The culture surrounding participation in athletic events from rivalry games to homecoming events is something that impacts the whole school. I always took pride in the sports that I played and appreciate the community support. Now, I'm especially thankful for the lessons I've learned which have been applied to college and ultimately my career, such as time management, perseverance, and leadership.
Eliza Mount
2018-19 C. Eugene Cato Memorial Scholarship Recipient