About Annual Giving and the Annual Fund

Every Contribution Matters

Annual Giving is responsible for raising money for the Annual Fund, which provides student financial aid and services, including scholarships for academically superior students, student counseling, and support for student organizations.

This year's goal is $1 million.

Funds support faculty research, course development and special programs (including international travel and support of students and faculty studying abroad), plus alumni and business relations. Gifts to the Annual Fund are also used for special administrative support associated with raising major gifts, recruitment of new faculty, equipment purchases, and the upgrading and renovation of facilities.

Texas Tech receives about 39 percent of its annual operating budget from state allocations and another 16 percent from tuition. The remaining 45 percent of its annual operating budget comes from alumni support. This number is likely to rise in the future due to tighter state funding. This makes alumni support an even bigger factor in maintaining the quality of education that personifies Texas Tech.

When you donate to the Annual Fund, you invest in the future of Texas Tech and its students.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I give? Aren't tuition and tax dollars enough?

Why does a state-supported university need donations from alumni? The fact is that Texas Tech receives about 39 percent of its annual operating budget from state allocations and another 16 percent from tuition. The remaining 45 percent of its annual operating budget comes from alumni support.

Texas Tech is great today due to your private support. The reality is that state funding is getting tighter. To maintain the quality of education that characterizes Texas Tech, even more money will need to come from the private sector.

Why should I give to Texas Tech when I am still paying off my college debt?

Your education would have cost double — that's right, double — without the support of alumni who gave generously to the university. Your gift will help today's students.

My small gift would be a drop in the bucket. Why should I bother giving?

Think about it: 10,000 gifts of $50 equal $500,000. That amount could fund a $1,000 scholarship for 500 Texas Tech students next year alone. What an impact!

I have a small paycheck and lots of expenses. How can I afford a large gift this year?

Texas Tech is not asking you to make a gift that will break the bank. We just want to get as many alumni as possible involved. When we all work together, we can make great things happen for Texas Tech. Any amount is helpful and greatly appreciated.

How can I ensure that my gift supports the area I choose?

You decide where your gift goes simply by designating the college, campus, or program of your choice. Whether you give via mail, make a pledge over the phone, or donate on the Web, you have the opportunity to tell us what to do with your gift. Rest assured that your hard earned dollars help the area you choose.

Is my donation tax deductible, and will I receive a receipt?

Yes! All gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law, and you will receive an acknowledgement or a gift receipt seven to ten days after you make your gift.

I already gave to the Alumni Association, why is Texas Tech asking for more?

It can be confusing, but the Texas Tech Alumni Association and Annual Giving are two separate programs.

Annual Giving is responsible for raising money for each of the colleges and the various programs at Texas Tech. The funds raised provide for scholarships, faculty recruitment, and facility upgrades, among other things. Bottom line: we raise funds to be used strictly for academic purposes.

Gifts to the Texas Tech Alumni Association pay for your Texas Techsan magazine subscription, admission to special alumni events, recruitment camps, commemorative items and other administrative costs. Only a portion of your gift supports Texas Tech through scholarships.

Can I give to my campus, college or department?

Yes, and you can support all recognized programs such as KOHM-Radio, KTXT-TV, the Texas Tech Museum, athletics, the Chancellor's Council, the libraries and other scholarships, research projects and student activities and programs.

When I give to "unrestricted funds," where does the money go?

Unrestricted funds funds stay within the specified college or department. Funds donated for general use are considered unrestricted. They are especially important to Texas Tech and the colleges that receive them. They provide the financial resources necessary to upgrade technology, repair facilities, support scholarship programs, recruit faculty and students and maintain facilities.

I'm always getting phone calls asking for donations. How often do you call?

We realize our alumni get many requests. That is why Annual Giving (Annual Fund) will call you only once per fiscal year (September–August). But you can call us anytime!