Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Athletics Relaunches The Wildcat Fund
10/18/2022 8:27:00 AM | General
New features introduced to better support 500+ student-athletes, expand opportunities for Wildcats donors
EVANSTON, Illinois -- Northwestern Athletics is excited to announce a comprehensive relaunch of the Wildcat Fund, its unrestricted annual fund, to streamline and increase support for 500+ student-athletes, and expand engagement opportunities, benefits, and access to loyal Wildcats donors.
Visit the newly redesigned SupportTheCats.com!
The relaunch features many new elements to energize Wildcats fans locally and around the world including new levels and benefits, a redesigned SupportTheCats.com, simplified Purple Points structure, and separate benefits for Sport Enhancement Funds.
"Unrestricted gifts to our department provide the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of more than 500 Wildcats student-athletes each year amidst one of the most transformational eras in college athletics history," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "As we work each day towards comprehensive excellence, philanthropic support is paramount to enrich the experience of Northwestern student-athletes and ensure opportunities for holistic development in the classroom, in the community and in competition."
The mission of the Wildcat Fund is to profoundly enhance the lives of Wildcats student-athletes and sustain the highest standard of excellence by providing the essential and evolving resources needed to win championships at the highest level of collegiate athletics.
The Wildcat Fund's new giving levels and benefits offer unique and exciting opportunities for members to gain exclusive access to Northwestern Athletics.
"We are incredibly excited to present Wildcat Fund members of all giving levels enhanced opportunities to engage and strengthen relationships with coaches and staff within our athletics department," said Deputy Athletic Director, Jesse Marks. "The modernization of the Northwestern Athletics annual fund will improve the current donor experience while creating an exciting foundation to attract new supporters to our membership all in support of Northwestern student-athletes."
If you would like to learn more or make a gift, please contact the Wildcat Fund office at 847-467-4321 or wildcatfund@northestern.edu.
Learn more about some of the notable changes below:
UNRESTRICTED GIVING + SEATING CONTRIBUTION = IMPACT
UNRESTRICTED GIVING + SEATING CONTRIBUTION = MEMBERSHIP LEVEL
Donations to the unrestricted annual fund of Northwestern Athletics, the Wildcat Fund, have always been the most impactful contributions to support Wildcats student-athletes. Across the continually changing landscape of college athletics, the need for increased unrestricted support is essential and will allow Northwestern Athletics to sustain its esteemed standard of excellence and win championships against the highest level of competition. Wildcat Fund membership level will be determined by the sum of Wildcat Fund donations and non-tax-deductible contributions for applicable seating in Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena. Learn more about premium seating options here.
NEW LEVELS & BENEFITS
Your Wildcat Fund membership will provide access to these new desirable benefits. Increasing your impact will unlock enhanced experiences and exclusive opportunities to engage with Northwestern Athletics. We encourage you to give an amount that is meaningful to you to maximize your impact on student-athletes and get the most out of your donation! Some of the new benefits include personalized parking spaces in the East and West Lots of Ryan Field, quarterly special events, halftime recognition, limited-edition NU Athletics gifts and more.
STREAMLINED PURPLE POINTS
The Purple Points system is designed to recognize Wildcat Fund members who have demonstrated their loyalty through contributions and season ticket purchases. In addition to simplifying the Purple Points system, the new changes will reward all giving to Northwestern Athletics and Recreation including the Wildcat Fund, Sport Enhancement Funds, capital projects, endowments, scholarships, and more. Learn more about Purple Points here.
SIMPLIFIED CALENDAR
Northwestern University and the Wildcat Fund's fiscal year is September 1 – August 31 and philanthropic contributions are welcomed throughout the year. To simplify your involvement with Northwestern Athletics, seating contributions required for football and men's basketball will be billed with your season ticket renewals. These exciting changes, including levels and benefits, are immediately available for alumni, letterwinners, and the entire Northwestern community. We encourage you to renew your support or join the Wildcat Fund today!
OTTO GRAHAM SOCIETY
The premier and leadership giving society supporting our 'Cats is made up of our most generous annual donors and offers the highest level of access and engagement with Northwestern Athletics. Starting this year with new Otto Graham Society pledges, $15,000 of the annual commitment will impact the Wildcat Fund with the option to direct the remaining $10,000 to any of the Sport Enhancement Funds. These generous five-year commitments have been especially impactful in enriching the student-athlete experience, and the added emphasis on unrestricted giving will further our pursuit of sustained, competitive excellence. Read more about the Otto Graham Society here.
SPORT ENHANCEMENT FUND
While the Wildcat Fund will stand as a priority for Northwestern Athletics, individuals can choose to designate support directly to one of our 19 varsity programs through any of the new Sport Enhancement Funds. The Sport Enhancement Funds offer new levels and exclusive benefits specifically for sport specific donors. You can learn more about the Sport Enhancement Funds here. Please note: contributions to the Sport Enhancement Funds do not qualify for Wildcat Fund membership or any seating/parking benefits.
Visit the newly redesigned SupportTheCats.com!
The relaunch features many new elements to energize Wildcats fans locally and around the world including new levels and benefits, a redesigned SupportTheCats.com, simplified Purple Points structure, and separate benefits for Sport Enhancement Funds.
"Unrestricted gifts to our department provide the flexibility to meet the evolving needs of more than 500 Wildcats student-athletes each year amidst one of the most transformational eras in college athletics history," said Combe Family Vice President for Athletics and Recreation Dr. Derrick Gragg. "As we work each day towards comprehensive excellence, philanthropic support is paramount to enrich the experience of Northwestern student-athletes and ensure opportunities for holistic development in the classroom, in the community and in competition."
The mission of the Wildcat Fund is to profoundly enhance the lives of Wildcats student-athletes and sustain the highest standard of excellence by providing the essential and evolving resources needed to win championships at the highest level of collegiate athletics.
The Wildcat Fund's new giving levels and benefits offer unique and exciting opportunities for members to gain exclusive access to Northwestern Athletics.
"We are incredibly excited to present Wildcat Fund members of all giving levels enhanced opportunities to engage and strengthen relationships with coaches and staff within our athletics department," said Deputy Athletic Director, Jesse Marks. "The modernization of the Northwestern Athletics annual fund will improve the current donor experience while creating an exciting foundation to attract new supporters to our membership all in support of Northwestern student-athletes."
If you would like to learn more or make a gift, please contact the Wildcat Fund office at 847-467-4321 or wildcatfund@northestern.edu.
Learn more about some of the notable changes below:
UNRESTRICTED GIVING + SEATING CONTRIBUTION = IMPACT
UNRESTRICTED GIVING + SEATING CONTRIBUTION = MEMBERSHIP LEVEL
Donations to the unrestricted annual fund of Northwestern Athletics, the Wildcat Fund, have always been the most impactful contributions to support Wildcats student-athletes. Across the continually changing landscape of college athletics, the need for increased unrestricted support is essential and will allow Northwestern Athletics to sustain its esteemed standard of excellence and win championships against the highest level of competition. Wildcat Fund membership level will be determined by the sum of Wildcat Fund donations and non-tax-deductible contributions for applicable seating in Ryan Field and Welsh-Ryan Arena. Learn more about premium seating options here.
NEW LEVELS & BENEFITS
Your Wildcat Fund membership will provide access to these new desirable benefits. Increasing your impact will unlock enhanced experiences and exclusive opportunities to engage with Northwestern Athletics. We encourage you to give an amount that is meaningful to you to maximize your impact on student-athletes and get the most out of your donation! Some of the new benefits include personalized parking spaces in the East and West Lots of Ryan Field, quarterly special events, halftime recognition, limited-edition NU Athletics gifts and more.
STREAMLINED PURPLE POINTS
The Purple Points system is designed to recognize Wildcat Fund members who have demonstrated their loyalty through contributions and season ticket purchases. In addition to simplifying the Purple Points system, the new changes will reward all giving to Northwestern Athletics and Recreation including the Wildcat Fund, Sport Enhancement Funds, capital projects, endowments, scholarships, and more. Learn more about Purple Points here.
SIMPLIFIED CALENDAR
Northwestern University and the Wildcat Fund's fiscal year is September 1 – August 31 and philanthropic contributions are welcomed throughout the year. To simplify your involvement with Northwestern Athletics, seating contributions required for football and men's basketball will be billed with your season ticket renewals. These exciting changes, including levels and benefits, are immediately available for alumni, letterwinners, and the entire Northwestern community. We encourage you to renew your support or join the Wildcat Fund today!
OTTO GRAHAM SOCIETY
The premier and leadership giving society supporting our 'Cats is made up of our most generous annual donors and offers the highest level of access and engagement with Northwestern Athletics. Starting this year with new Otto Graham Society pledges, $15,000 of the annual commitment will impact the Wildcat Fund with the option to direct the remaining $10,000 to any of the Sport Enhancement Funds. These generous five-year commitments have been especially impactful in enriching the student-athlete experience, and the added emphasis on unrestricted giving will further our pursuit of sustained, competitive excellence. Read more about the Otto Graham Society here.
SPORT ENHANCEMENT FUND
While the Wildcat Fund will stand as a priority for Northwestern Athletics, individuals can choose to designate support directly to one of our 19 varsity programs through any of the new Sport Enhancement Funds. The Sport Enhancement Funds offer new levels and exclusive benefits specifically for sport specific donors. You can learn more about the Sport Enhancement Funds here. Please note: contributions to the Sport Enhancement Funds do not qualify for Wildcat Fund membership or any seating/parking benefits.
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