Gifts & Giving
What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is an unrestricted fund providing support to those
areas of greatest need within the Law School. Annual Fund gifts
are made each year generally in sizes between $1 and $50,000.
How are Annual Fund gifts used?
Money alone cannot make a law school great; but a great
law school cannot realize and maintain its ambitions
without vigorous private support. Annual Fund gifts
at every level are very much appreciated and the cumulative
effect of all unrestricted gifts—more than $1.5 million
a year—makes a measurable and meaningful difference
in the quality and capacity of UT Law. Unrestricted
Annual Fund gifts may be allocated to the highest priorities
anywhere in the Law School’s budget. This fiscal flexibility
helps bridge the funding gap between UT Law and its
peer schools, and allows the Law School to respond quickly
and decisively to emerging opportunities. Your Annual
Fund gift provides the margin of excellence in legal
education for which UT Law is known.
How many alumni give to the Annual Fund?
For the 2006-2007 fiscal year, UT Law had an alumni participation
rate of 16%. At 16 percent, UT Law has one of the highest
giving rates at UT, but that rate is not competitive
with our peer law schools nationally. Every gift is
important because it increases our participation rate.
Why is the participation rate important?
The participation rate of a college’s alumni is often
used to indicate alumni satisfaction. In fact, organizations
that rank colleges and universities, and many foundations
that support them, consider alumni giving as the sole
indicator of the satisfaction of former students with
their education.
Why is the Law School also pursuing the Seize
the Day Campaign?
Since 1990, annual state support for UT Austin’s academic
budget, adjusted for inflation, has actually decreased
by 1%. Tuition now surpasses state general revenues as
a source of funding the academic enterprise at UT Austin.
The $6.5 million that we generate in state formula funding,
and the tuition and fees we collect from our students
go directly to the University. The amount we get back
from the University is a sum equal to about 90% of the
tuition and fees paid by our students.
The Seize the Day Campaign goal is to raise at least $200 million in new funding over the next several years to recruit at least eight outstanding new faculty members; hold or slightly reduce our class size; retain our best faculty through enhanced support for research and professional development; recruit the best students by increasing financial aid support and funding a loan repayment program; strategically target and seize national leadership in key program areas, such as Energy and Latin America in particular; and to ensure our place among the nation’s top law schools. We intend to enhance—not just secure—the value of your UT Law degree.
How does the Annual Fund contribute to the Seize
the Day Campaign?
All gifts to the Annual Fund are also gifts to the Campaign.
How do I make a gift to the Law School?
You may make
an online gift using our secure site, or
you can find out about other
ways of giving.
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes. In most cases the full value of your gift is tax-deductible.
What are matching gifts?
You may be able to double or even triple your gift to
UT. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs to
match charitable contributions made by their employees.
Does my employer match gifts to the Law School?
To find out if your company matches, check our matching
service or visit your company’s human resources department.
Complete the form provided by your company and mail it
to:
The University of Texas at Austin
Matching Gift Coordinator
PO Box 7458
Austin, Texas 78713-7458
Phone: 800-687-4602
Fax: 512-475-7743
How do I find out about naming the Law School
in my will?
Click here to
find out about Planned Giving and how to contact the Office
of Gift and Estate Planning.