The University of Mississippi Athletics
UMAA Foundation FAQs
5/4/2009 | Athletics
Is my donation tax deductible?
How do I update my contact information?
What is the priority seating program?
Can I use a corporate matching gift to increase my contribution?
Is the cost of my season tickets included in my donation?
Do I have to make a donation every year to retain my seats?
What if I did not finish paying off my pledge from last year?
Can I get a refund?
Can I transfer my membership to another person?
How can I purchase season tickets in a donor section?
How do I change the location of my seats?
What are my options if I do not contribute to the UMAA Foundation?
How can I put in a request to sit next to a friend?
How are individual game tickets allocated?
How are away game, bowl, and post-season tickets assigned?
What if I want to set up a pledge?
Do capital gifts, endowments, or gifts to a specific sport count toward priority seating?
Do I get UMAA Foundation credit for gifts to the University of Mississippi that are not specifically for athletics?
How can I get a parking pass?
Why should I join the UMAA Foundation?
The UMAA Foundation is responsible for financially supporting Ole Miss Athletics above and beyond the state budget. By contributing to the UMAA Foundation, you are helping provide funding for more than 300 student-athlete scholarships, coaches' salary supplements, capital projects, and support the department in many other ways necessary to have an outstanding athletics program. Contributing to the general football and/or basketball funds will also give you the opportunity to take advantage of priority seating and a number of benefits.
Is my donation tax deductible?
Under section 170(1) of the Internal Revenue Code, 80% of an amount paid to an institution of higher education is eligible for treatment as a charitable contribution if as a result of the payment, the donor receives the right to purchase tickets for seating in an athletic stadium, arena, or other athletic benefits. You should consult your tax advisor for determining your proper charitable deduction. Contributions to the UMAA Foundation are 100% tax deductible if there are no benefits received for the gift.
How do I update my contact information?
There are several ways you can update your contact information (address(es), phone number(s), email): Email the UMAA Foundation at umaalf@olemiss.edu, call us at 662-915-7159, send a fax to 662-915-7160, or write us at P.O. Box 355 , University , MS 38677 . Always be sure to send your updated information to the Ticket Office as well.
What is the priority seating program?
The UMAA Foundation reserves the best seats in Vaught-Hemingway Stadium and the C.M. Tad Smith Coliseum for its donors. The priority seating program protects all season ticket holders who join the football/basketball fund by providing the donor the first right of refusal on the seats held during the previous season. By contributing at the level required, members are automatically allocated into the seats he or she held during the previous season. If the season ticket holder chooses not to contribute to the football/basketball fund, the ticket holder's seats will be reallocated. A separate donation is required for football priority seating and basketball priority seating.
Can I use a corporate matching gift to increase my contribution?
Yes, matching gifts are allowed to increase your contribution. Please check with your employer's Human Resources department to ensure it will match a contribution to the UMAA Foundation. Please note that some matching gifts for student-athlete scholarships are matched at less than 100% of the requested amount. For example, a $500 gift to the UMAA Foundation is matched at 80%, resulting in a gift of $400. It would then be the UMAA Foundation member's responsibility to pay the unmatched balance to reach the desired giving level.
Is the cost of my season tickets included in my donation?
No, the cost of season tickets is not included with any donation (except for West Skyboxes).
Do I have to make a donation every year to retain my seats?
Yes, all football and basketball seats in the UMAA Foundation sections require a donation each year.
What if I did not finish paying off my pledge from last year?
All outstanding pledges to the general football or basketball fund must be completed before credit for the current fund drive is considered.
Can I get a refund?
As a charitable organization, the UMAA Foundation does not issue refunds. Please remember that your gift plays a vital role in the funding of student-athlete scholarships, coaches' salary supplements, capital projects, and other necessities for the athletic department.
Can I transfer my membership to another person?
The UMAA Foundation will consider all requests for the transfer of season tickets. You must submit a letter indicating why the transfer is needed. The transfer committee will review your request and let you know whether or not it was approved.
How can I purchase season tickets in a donor section?
Contributing to the UMAA Foundation at the Twelfth Man level ($100 - $249) for football qualifies a person to receive season tickets in a donor section. Contributing at the Hustle Club level ($50 - $149) for basketball qualifies a person to receive season tickets in a donor section. The higher club level a person contributes, the better the seat allocation will be. Contributing the minimum amount for a certain section DOES NOT guarantee any location. In fact, if you are trying to ATTAIN new/additional seating, we strongly recommend that you contribute more than the minimum donation amount for the section you desire. Donations do not include the cost of the season ticket.
How do I change the location of my seats?
All seating requests must be made in writing to the Athletic Ticket Office on the season ticket renewal form. There are no guarantees, but all requests will be considered. After the auto-renewal process, seating is allocated by club level and priority points within club levels. An increase in your contribution does not signify a request to move. The UMAA Foundation handles the season ticket allocation process for all UMAA Foundation members. Specific requests limit your options and may prevent you from receiving the best available seats. If you are looking to improve your seats, the best request to make is "best available," as this gives the UMAA Foundation the most options.
What are my options if I do not contribute to the UMAA Foundation?
All season ticket holders who do not contribute to the UMAA Foundation will be seated in non-priority areas after all donors have been allocated. The UMAA Foundation reserves the right to move any season ticket holder who does not meet the required level of giving for his or her season tickets.
How can I put in a request to sit next to a friend?
You can put in a request to sit next to a friend on your season ticket order form. Your request will be considered and accommodated if possible. The tickets will be allocated at the lowest level of giving and point total between the two of you.
How are individual game tickets allocated?
Individual game tickets are allocated after all season tickets have been allocated. These tickets are allocated by levels of giving and priority within each level by the Athletic Ticket Office. There is no guarantee that individual tickets will be processed.
How are away game, bowl, and post-season tickets assigned?
Tickets for away game, bowl, and the post season are allocated by levels of giving and priority within each level by the Athletic Ticket Office.
What if I want to set up a pledge?
For football, all pledges must be set up before April 27 and paid in full by August 31. Season tickets and parking passes will not be mailed until full payment is received. For basketball, all pledges must be set up before October 3 and paid in full by October 31. Season tickets and parking passes will not be mailed until full payment is received.
Do capital gifts, endowments, or gifts to a specific sport count toward priority seating?
No, capital gifts, endowments, and gifts to a specific sport do not count toward priority seating. These gifts however, do count toward lifetime giving which improves your priority point total.
Do I get UMAA Foundation credit for gifts to the University of Mississippi that are not specifically for athletics?
No, only gifts to the Ole Miss Athletics general fund help a donor with priority seating. Also, all gifts to athletics improve your priority point total.
For football, donors at the Varsity Club ($2,500) level will be issued one parking pass for Varsity Club lots. All donors at the Scholarship Club ($5,000) level will be issued one parking pass in a reserved lot. South Zone Club members with at least three seats will be issued one parking pass in the South Zone parking lot. All Rebel Club members will receive one parking pass in one of the four reserved Rebel Club lots. The UMAA Foundation no longer controls RV parking. For basketball, all donors at the Fast Break Club ($600) level will be issued one parking pass.
