Courtesy of LA Tech Athletic Communications
Fundraising efforts by Louisiana Tech Championship Resources were felt far and wide during this past fiscal year (FY23), an effort that included a record number of donors, the first-ever major giving society, a new giving website, and projects/initiatives that touched numerous sports and departments.
“I am very encouraged with the increase in philanthropic support across the board from last year to this year,” said Director of Athletics/Vice President Dr. Eric A. Wood. “We continue to promote participation in LTAC and to eclipse 1,500 members is a great feat, but I believe we are just scratching the surface in terms of our potential.
“We have been very intentional in trying to create an on-ramp for everyone to be involved no matter the capacity or season of life you are in. From our Young Alumni program to the Aillet Society, there is an avenue for everyone to support. As we enter a new era of Conference USA, our mission remains the same. We want to position ourselves to be the most sought-after Group of 5 program in the country.”
The support of philanthropic giving for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023 resulted in LA Tech Athletics totaling $6.18M in commitments (nine percent increase from FY22), including one million dollar gift as well as 10 six-figure commitments.
A primary reason for the increase in commitments was due to the Aug. 1, 2022 launch of the Aillet Society, the first-ever major giving society with five-year commitments of $25,000 or more. Since the launch one year ago, 60 shareholders across seven states have joined the Aillet Society with the median gift being $50,000.
“The creation of the Aillet Society has been a game changer for us,” said Senior Associate A.D./Championship Resources Colton Primm. “We are extremely grateful for the 60 families who have chosen to come alongside us and be a part of this inaugural year and we cannot wait to watch this group continue to grow over the course of the next year.”
The Louisiana Tech Athletic Club (LTAC) continued to thrive as well with a record 1,550 total donors, which was a 45 percent increase from FY22. LA Tech Athletics also felt the fundraising impact on University Giving Day on April 20 of this year, which ended with a record-setting $1.8M from 177 donors.
On that same Giving Day, LA Tech Championship Resources launched a new website BuildTheLegacy.com in a partnership with SIDEARM Sports, an initiative to better educate and help enhance the giving experience of donors.
Many of these fundraising factors led to an increase in sport-specific giving as overall commitments totaled $716,150, a 215 percent increase from FY22. Some of the projects/initiatives completed in FY23 as a result of private funds included:
- Davison Athletics Complex ribbon board and updated graphics inside the facility
- Construction of Sarah and A.L. Williams Champions Plaza (opening Aug. 25)
- “Home of the Bulldogs,” national championship, and retired Football numbers recognition on press box/suites of Joe Aillet Stadium
- Bulldog Basketball’s summer tour trip to Puerto Rico
- Scholarship support for Baseball and Softball student-athletes
- iPads for Women’s Basketball student-athletes
- Three sets of uniforms for Soccer
- Volleyball netting system for practice at Scotty Robertson Memorial Gymnasium
- Sports Medicine taping tables and hot/cold tubs
Staff within LA Tech Athletics continued to play a role in philanthropic support with 100 percent giving among full-time employees for a third consecutive year.
The biggest initiative for Championship Resources is finishing the fundraising campaign for the north end zone project at Joe Aillet Stadium. To date, $9.6M has been raised along with a $7.5M match from the state through the capital outlay process. Approximately $2.2M is remaining on the $19.3M project that is centered on the future Center for Student-Athlete Success. A limited number of naming opportunities remain available within the facility.
“We have a vision that we are truly passionate about,” added Primm. “Our charge is to graduate student-athletes, provide them with the best Division 1 experience we can, and begin preparing them for life after sport. As we make our final push to close out the north end zone project, I encourage everyone to think about the impact that a gift to the Center for Student-Athlete Success will have on generations of future Bulldogs and Lady Techsters for years to come.”
