Big Orange Family Campaign
Our annual philanthropic initiative for UT faculty and staff.
Give via Credit Card, Debit Card, or Digital Wallet
We Give for Vols.
When faculty and staff invest back into our university, we inspire alumni and friends to give back as well. Over the past 10 years, our employee giving percentage has soared from 16 to 60 percent participation, the highest in the SEC. This year’s goal is to reach 61% campus-wide participation.
Every gift matters to the university, no matter the size. The Family Campaign’s success is based solely on participation, making it possible for every single employee to be a part of the program.
When you give to UT during the Family Campaign, you’ll receive your own Create-a-Smokey magnet!
Deal ’em!
Grab your custom UT playing cards when you set up a payroll deduction for at least $5 per month or increase your current deduction by $5 or more per month!
UT Knoxville Payroll Deduction
More About Family Campaign
You choose where your donation goes.
You’ll select the college, department, program, scholarship, or fund you wish to support when making your gift. Give to any area you are passionate about.
Not sure what to support?
- Browse VOLstarter crowdfunding projects and give directly to a student initiative or program.
- Find a cause that you’re passionate about.
- Upgrade to the new UT license plate and support student scholarships.
Every gift matters to the university, no matter the size of the gift. The campaign’s success is based solely on participation, making it possible for every employee to be a part of the campaign.
When we give, “they” give. By “they” we are referring to the alumni and friends who support our work here at UT. The Big Orange Family Campaign is your opportunity to show your support of UT and the journey to advance our university. Your participation demonstrates that UT is one of the best possible investments for a potential donor’s philanthropic support.
Everyone who wants to! All employees are invited to participate. Additionally, if you are an alumnus of UT, your gift to the campaign will also be counted in alumni participation rates.
No. Remember that it is not the level of someone’s gift but their participation that counts. They can personally give a gift of any size that is meaningful to them and be considered a donor.
Yes. Your gift is considered by the IRS to be a charitable contribution and is 100% tax deductible. Please note that gifts to athletics for ticket or parking benefits are not tax deductible.
Participation rates are how we measure our success. You can give $5, $50, $500 or more. What is important is that you get involved at a level that is meaningful to you.
You can designate your gift to any college, department, program, scholarship, or pre-established gift fund.
Yes, gifts made to any fund at the University of Tennessee from July 2, 2024, to present will be counted.
Yes! Indicate on the gift card that the contribution is a joint gift, and provide your spouse or partner’s name. If they also work for the university, spouses and partners can count their gifts as joint or individual gifts. Spouses and partners who work off campus should check with their human resource office to determine if their company will match your gift. Complete the proper matching form and include it with your gift.
You do not need to do anything unless you want to change the amount or fund designation.
If you are starting a new payroll deduction or made changes to your current payroll deduction, the new deduction will begin next month.
Deferred gifts—such as gift annuities, charitable remainder trusts, and life insurance policies—also count as faculty and staff contributions. For more information, please call the Planned Giving team at (865) 974-4513.
If you have more questions, please reach out to Lauren Herbstritt at lkh@utk.edu or 974-3009.
Gifts to the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, are processed by the UT Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is the preferred channel for all private contributions that benefit students and faculty at the University of Tennessee. Learn more.
