100%! All Cougar Pride "Unrestricted" donations and "Football/Basketball Per Seat" commitment payments support the annual fund that pays for student-athlete scholarships in all 17 sport programs along with the priority needs of Houston Athletics.
Membership benefits begin at the Loyal Coog level. Click here for a full breakdown of giving levels and membership benefits.
A Cougar Pride "Unrestricted" donation supports the annual fund. These donations fund student-athlete scholarships in all 17 sport programs along with the priority needs of Houston Athletics. A "Restricted" donation (Sport-Specific or Capital Campaign) directly funds the operating budget of the specific sport program or construction of the capital campaign project.
All donations have a meaningful impact on Houston Athletics. Our primary focus is to offset the costs of student-athlete scholarships which are paid for by Cougar Pride "Unrestricted" donations and "Football/Basketball Per Seat" commitment payments that support the annual fund. Many of our Sport-Specific giving clubs have their own membership levels and benefits. All Sport-Specific and Capital Campaign donations accrue priority points.
The 2020 Cougar Pride fiscal year ends on June 30, 2020. All Cougar Pride “Unrestricted” Donations and "Football/Basketball Per Seat" Commitment Payments made prior to June 30, 2020 will be recognized towards your giving level and benefits for the 2020 Football and 2020-21 Men’s Basketball seasons.
In accordance with IRS regulations, the University of Houston will provide gift receipts for any donations made to Houston Athletics. The recent changes in tax law (Tax Cut and Jobs Act (H.R.1)) eliminated the tax deduction for donations made for the right to purchase seating at college or university athletic events. As of January 1, 2018, Cougar Pride members are no longer able to deduct 80% of their "Football Per Seat" donation(s). In the case of pledges made in prior years which entitled you to purchase seating, payments received in 2017 will still be deductible at 80%. However, the IRS will not allow deductions for payments made after 2017.
"Football Per Seat" donations will now be known as "Football Per Seat" commitments that will still be recognized in your Cougar Pride giving level and allow you to accrue priority points. The same will hold true for the upcoming "Basketball Per Seat" commitments in the Fertitta Center. Click HERE for more information regarding Cougar Pride giving levels and HERE for more information regarding priority points.
This change in law does not impact other donations made to Houston Athletics where the transaction does not include a right to purchase seating; such as Cougar Pride "Unrestricted", Sport-Specific (i.e. 46ers, Dugout Club) or Capital Campaign (i.e. TDECU Stadium, Fertitta Center) donations.
The University, its employees or representatives do not offer legal, financial or tax advice. We encourage you to consult your attorney, financial advisor, accountant or other appropriate professional to determine whether and to what extent your donations are tax deductible.
The University of Houston Department of Intercollegiate Athletics and individuals affiliated with the department, including donors, are governed by the rules and regulations of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the American Athletic Conference. Ensuring compliance with NCAA and conference rules is a top priority for Houston Athletics. Compliance should be everyone's responsibility, especially for our donors. Rule violations involving donors may adversely impact the eligibility of current or prospective student-athletes. Additionally, violations involving donors may prevent future association with Houston Athletics. Your participation and acceptance of benefits and privileges available from Houston Athletics is your acknowledgement and agreement to abide by the rules and regulations of the NCAA, American Athletic Conference and University of Houston Department of Intercollegiate Athletics.
The Houston Athletics Compliance Office serves as a resource for everyone affiliated with Houston Athletics. If you have questions or concerns, please contact the Compliance Office at (713) 743-9394.
