What is the Rotunda Society?

The Rotunda Society is a leadership gift society which recognizes our most generous donors including alumni, parents, and friends who contribute $2,500 or more to the University’s annual giving programs during the course of a single fiscal year (July 1 – June 30).

What is annual giving and why does the University need it?

Annual giving is largely unrestricted, which means your gift can provide deans and department heads with immediate funds for their most urgent needs. These funds fuel day-to-day operations to support the University Library, the School of Nursing, the University Art Museum, the Curry School of Education – to name just a few. Annual giving is just that — annual. By making contributions from year to year, alumni, parents, and friends provide a consistent stream of support for academic and student-life programs.

Can I direct my gift to multiple areas?

A donor may use annual giving to support one or several areas of the University. A donor may also earmark all or a portion of an annual gift for the general purposes of the University. In addition to the University’s 10 academic schools, many other worthwhile programs on the Grounds rely on annual giving from alumni, parents, and friends.

Is my gift tax deductible?

Yes. Because U.Va. is qualified as a tax-exempted organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code, all gifts to the University are tax deductible. For how much you can deduct, consult your tax adviser and the IRS web site.

Can I donate stock?

Yes. The donor will be recognized at the gift club level equivalent to the cash value of the stock at the time of the gift transaction.

What are matching gifts?

Many companies encourage their employees to make charitable contributions by matching their philanthropic support. At the University, donors receive credit for their employers' matching gifts. The impact of corporate matching support can be enormous. To cite one example, Thomas Osborne (Col '87), a member of the University's Council for the Arts, made a gift to the studio art program this past year. Matching support from his New York employer, UBS Warburg, increased the impact of his gift by 50 percent. Among the most generous providers of matching gifts to the University are IBM, Exxon Mobil, Philip Morris Companies, and General Electric. In a single year, IBM's matches to gifts from its personnel provide nearly $140,000 to U.Va. and its schools and programs. Hundreds of other companies have similar matching-gift programs. To find out if you work for one of them, use this online search or consult your human resources office, which will also provide you with a matching gift form.