University of Pittsburgh Athletics
Photo by: Alex Mowrey/Pitt Athletics
A Tax Update From The Panther Club
2/16/2018 10:00:00 AM | Panther Club
Thank you for your continued support of Pitt Athletics. We shared information with you toward the end of the calendar year regarding tax legislation that would remove the tax deductibility of any required priority seating donation. That tax law took effect January 1st, 2018. Since then, we have sought counsel from internal and external legal representatives to interpret the effects of this law on our organization. We appreciate your patience as we have worked through this process.
As a result of the new tax law, we are pleased to announce a plan that outlines two distinct ways you can continue supporting Pitt Athletics. The Panther Club will now have two branches of support: Scholarship Seating Memberships and Championship Giving. Panther Club members may participate in one or both branches of support and each includes distinct benefits.
Panther Club Scholarship Seating Membership
Panther Club Scholarship Seating Membership fees will continue to be required with priority seating/parking for Pitt Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball. It is important to note that 100% of these fees are used to offset the annual scholarship needs of Pitt student-athletes. These fees are not tax deductible and for that reason, we cannot accept matching gift claims or payments from donor advised funds, foundations or IRA charitable disbursements toward these non-deductible fees. Payments for Scholarship Seating Membership fees must be processed through the Panther Club Office or Panther Ticket Office. Payments can be made online with your football or basketball season ticket renewals.
Scholarship Seating Memberships will continue to receive priority points and benefits as outlined on our membership benefit chart. We are evaluating additional programming to further enhance your Panther Club membership experience, which we look forward to unveiling in the future.
Panther Club Championship Giving
Championship Giving will represent philanthropic opportunities that position Pitt teams to win championships. Gifts can be made on an annual or multi-year basis of support. Championship Giving opportunities include:
Championship gifts cannot be associated with priority seating, nor are they eligible for priority points. These gifts are 100% tax deductible. Matching gift claims or payments from donor advised funds, foundations or IRA charitable disbursements can be accepted and applied to the championship giving allocation of your choice. These gifts can be made through the Panther Club Office or through the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Advancement Office.
In the coming weeks, we will be sending you additional membership details. Football season ticket and scholarship seating membership renewals will be mailed in early March. At that time, we are requesting that you only pay the scholarship seating membership fees associated with your football season tickets (if applicable).
Thank you again for your continued support. The information in this letter is not intended to be tax advice. We recommend you consult with your tax advisor. If you have any immediate questions about your Panther Club membership, please feel free to contact our office at 412-648-8889 or you can reach us by email at: Pantherclub@athletics.pitt.edu.
As a result of the new tax law, we are pleased to announce a plan that outlines two distinct ways you can continue supporting Pitt Athletics. The Panther Club will now have two branches of support: Scholarship Seating Memberships and Championship Giving. Panther Club members may participate in one or both branches of support and each includes distinct benefits.
Panther Club Scholarship Seating Membership
Panther Club Scholarship Seating Membership fees will continue to be required with priority seating/parking for Pitt Football, Men's Basketball and Women's Basketball. It is important to note that 100% of these fees are used to offset the annual scholarship needs of Pitt student-athletes. These fees are not tax deductible and for that reason, we cannot accept matching gift claims or payments from donor advised funds, foundations or IRA charitable disbursements toward these non-deductible fees. Payments for Scholarship Seating Membership fees must be processed through the Panther Club Office or Panther Ticket Office. Payments can be made online with your football or basketball season ticket renewals.
Scholarship Seating Memberships will continue to receive priority points and benefits as outlined on our membership benefit chart. We are evaluating additional programming to further enhance your Panther Club membership experience, which we look forward to unveiling in the future.
Panther Club Championship Giving
Championship Giving will represent philanthropic opportunities that position Pitt teams to win championships. Gifts can be made on an annual or multi-year basis of support. Championship Giving opportunities include:
- All Sport-Specific Championship Funds
- Athletic Facility Projects
- Building Champions Fund (Gifts to this fund are to be allocated to the department's greatest need)
- Immediate Impact Scholarship Fund (This fund supports annual athletic scholarship expenses)
- Endowed Scholarships (Donors may designate name on fund and scholarship can be sport specific)
Championship gifts cannot be associated with priority seating, nor are they eligible for priority points. These gifts are 100% tax deductible. Matching gift claims or payments from donor advised funds, foundations or IRA charitable disbursements can be accepted and applied to the championship giving allocation of your choice. These gifts can be made through the Panther Club Office or through the University of Pittsburgh Institutional Advancement Office.
In the coming weeks, we will be sending you additional membership details. Football season ticket and scholarship seating membership renewals will be mailed in early March. At that time, we are requesting that you only pay the scholarship seating membership fees associated with your football season tickets (if applicable).
Thank you again for your continued support. The information in this letter is not intended to be tax advice. We recommend you consult with your tax advisor. If you have any immediate questions about your Panther Club membership, please feel free to contact our office at 412-648-8889 or you can reach us by email at: Pantherclub@athletics.pitt.edu.
Pitt Football | Media Availability | Georgia Tech Week | 11.19.25
Wednesday, November 19
Pitt Moms | # 0 Desmond Reid | Tamesa Willis Reid
Wednesday, November 19
Pitt Football | Media Availability | Georgia Tech Week | 11.18.25
Tuesday, November 18
Pitt Men's Basketball | Postgame vs. Bucknell | 11.17.25
Tuesday, November 18