August 16, 2019

Dear Cavalier Fan,

Thank you for supporting Virginia Athletics. Our student-athletes rely on the generous contributions of members like you to pursue championships and enjoy a world-class academic experience. Because of your support, in the past ten years Virginia sports have won more ACC titles than any other school in the conference!

Since 1948, the core mission of the Virginia Athletics Foundation has been to raise money to support scholarships for the student-athletes at the University of Virginia. As the needs of the Athletics Department have expanded over the decades to include facility and operational budget support from private contributions, we have always remained dedicated to providing maximum support for scholarships.

We currently fund 316.6 scholarships, the maximum number allowed by the NCAA for the varsity sports sponsored by UVA, which, including summer school funding, will approach a cost of $20 million in 2019-20. Scholarship costs have risen over 100% since 2005, far outpacing the growth in funds raised to support this rapid increase. As a result, we have a shortfall in funding for scholarships.

Each year, the Virginia Athletics Foundation Board of Trustees evaluates the giving levels to review the contribution requirements and associated benefits. During our February meeting, in an effort to close the scholarship funding gap, the Board approved the first giving level increase since 2006.

This increase will take effect on January 1, 2020, and will affect all associated benefits beginning in the 2020-21 academic year.

This decision was not made without intense deliberation, analysis and discussion of other options. In order to remain committed to funding all scholarships allowed by the NCAA in each of our sports, we must raise more money through our Annual Fund. We realize that increases to our giving levels may create additional financial burdens on some of our donors, which is why the Board has delayed any increase as long as possible, despite facing annual tuition increases.

While the increase will go into effect in 2020, we still face a projected gap in the 2019 fiscal year of well over $1 million. Many of our donors already increase their contributions each year and are currently giving well above the new minimum levels. In that spirit, we ask that you consider increasing your commitment up to or above the new giving levels by the end of December 2019 to help us reach our goal.

Your past support has allowed our athletics program to enjoy a spectacular 2018-19 academic year in which we won two NCAA National Championships, two ACC Championships, graduated 146 student-athletes and amassed 1,382 volunteer hours in over 93 programs.

We are excited about the future of Virginia Athletics and look forward to many successes in competition, in the classroom and in the community. Your role in that success is vitally important and we hope we can count on your continued support. Thank you again for your generosity and for giving the gift of an exceptional education.

Sincerely,

Dirk Katstra
Executive Director
Virginia Athletics Foundation