Annual Giving

Make your gift online any time at www.etsu.edu/give.

You can explore other ways to give here.

1. Tuition covers only about half the real cost of undergraduate education.  Grants, research, State funding, and philanthropy make up the remainder.  Even those who pay "full tuition" benefit from the generosity of others, through enhanced facilities, programs, and experiential learning.
2. Governmental funding has declined.  
3. ETSU's mission is global.  Big ideas can be expensive.  Making a difference is worth it.
4. Making an annual gift every year makes a statement to corporations, foundations, and college ranking publications, sending a clear signal that you believe in ETSU and support the unique educational experience we provide.

Tuition covers only about half the real cost of undergraduate education.

Your participation through annual gifts helps safeguard the value of your degree. Annual gifts—no matter the size—add up and are an important income stream that underwrites school activities, ensures the school's fiscal health and continued excellence.

Joining the ETSU National Alumni Association is one of the most meaningful ways to continue to impact your alma mater. Member support allows us to connect Buccaneers with each other and with the university we love. Membership is about traditions, lifelong connections and using the knowledge you gained during your time at ETSU to make a difference. To join the Alumni Association, click here.  Membership dues are not recognized as charitable contributions under IRS guidelines.

Annual Gifts - raised each year from alumni, parents, partners, and friends and typically spent within the same fiscal year. Annual gifts help funds many of the programs and priorities on campus that do not receive regular designated support. 

Capital Gifts - normally larger, one-time donations that go toward projects like new buildings, equipment, or facilities.

Endowment Gifts - the principle is invested, and the investment income from the principle gift perpetually supports the University through underwritten scholarships, professorships, chairs, colleges, schools, and programs. 

Campaign Gifts or Pledges - demonstrate your support for the Campaign for ETSU and funds initiatives within the campaign case statement. 

Large gifts are essential to the University's success. But, so are modest ones. ETSU has more than 97,000 living alumni. When our gifts are combined, they make a significant impact!

Every day, every hour, the whole ETSU family helps ETSU students who wouldn't be here without your support.

Simply make a gift of $500 or gifts totaling $500 or more during the Universit's fiscal year.  Gifts to any area of the University qualify.

We invite President's Circle members throughout the year to special events, such as university tours and open houses, as well as to private tailgate events before home football games.  More information here.

Absolutely! Whether it's recommending a student to ETSU, setting up a summer internship at the company where you work, telling others about your positive experiences, or cheering on Buccaneer athletic teams and academic clubs, we appreciate your support!

Also, during ETSU Day of Giving (next one scheduled for April 22, 2020), we ask everyone to be active advocates on social media and among their networks.  More information about Day of Giving here.

ETSU Annual Giving supports all areas at ETSU. Your unrestricted gift goes where it is most needed.

You also have the option to choose the specific college, department, program, or scholarship you would like to support.

Explore some of the areas in which you can give here.

The East Tennessee State University Foundation is a qualified tax-exempt corporation under Section 501 (c)(3), making your contributions tax deductible to the extent provided by law. If you received any tangible benefit in exchange for your contribution, the tax deductible amount is limited to the amount of your contribution over the stated value of the item or benefit you received. 

Athletic ticket obligation gifts, athletic tickets, and alumni association memberships are not tax deductible.  Always consult your tax advisor.

Yes! A tribute gift may be in honor or in memory of a former professor, family member, friend, student, or colleague. We will send an acknowledgement to the individual whom you are honoring.  We also notify family when a gift is made in memory of their loved one.

Yes, it is easy to find out if you work for a Matching Gift employer by clicking here. If your company matches gifts, you'll be directed to the instructions to do so.  Some companies offer 1:1, 1:2, and even 1:3 matches, multiplying the impact of your gifts!

Please contact the ETSU Advancement Services team for a new receipt. They can be reached by phone at (423) 439-5722 or by email at advs@etsu.edu during regular business hours Monday through Friday. If you reach out during non-business hours, they will respond to your message as soon as they are in the office.

You can visit our Advancement Services Forms page to make changes, including making changes to your alumni records or to submit Class Notes.

Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30 and coincides with our academic year.