Virginia Athletics Foundation Launches Sabre Society to Support UVA Athletics
CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. – The Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) announced Tuesday (April 23) the launch of the Sabre Society, a philanthropic giving society in support of Virginia Athletics and the over 750 student-athletes it serves.
“The Sabre Society will provide critical support to elevate the experience of all 27 sports at the University of Virginia,” said Virginia athletic director Carla Williams. “This new philanthropic giving society positions UVA Athletics to compete for championships while continuing to provide a world-class experience for our student-athletes. The Sabre Society will keep Virginia Athletics at the forefront, which is especially vital at this moment in college athletics.”
The Sabre Society is philanthropic in nature; however, Sabre Society members will have access to unique stewardship opportunities that become more exclusive based on giving level. These new and enhanced experiences include team travel considerations, invites to unique events, and special behind-the-scenes access.
Sabre Society members are part of a community of philanthropic leaders who will transform Virginia Athletics. The generous support of committed donors to the Sabre Society ensures that Virginia student-athletes excel both in and out of competition while providing the donor with a deeper connection to Virginia Athletics.
Commitments to the Sabre Society are above and beyond annual gifts tied to season ticket and parking benefits (except in- and out-of-state scholarship club donors) and can be made to directly impact any of the following:
- Athletic Director’s Excellence Fund: Supports the areas of greatest and most pressing needs at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.
- Facility Projects and Capital Improvements: Supports current and future capital initiatives to enhance the experience for student-athletes and coaches.
- Sport-Specific Operations: Provides supplemental support and operational enhancements earmarked exclusively and immediately for the sport of your choice.
- Endowments: Through various investment vehicles, provides annual spendable income necessary to support UVA Athletics’ over $24 million annual scholarship obligation, as well as other budget relieving expenses.
- Annual Fund Scholarship Club: Annual Fund donors who cover in-state ($37,500) and out-of-state ($75,000) scholarship costs each year will be recognized as Sabre Society members for the year in which the Annual Fund commitment is made and subject for renewal annually.
- Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL): Donors making commitments to Cav Futures, the official NIL collective of Virginia Athletics, help UVA student-athletes capitalize on their brand for lifetime success. Sabre Society benefits for contributions to Cav Futures Foundation will be effective July 1, 2024.
“VAF donors have been so supportive over the last 75 years, and I am excited to build upon that strong foundation of support by providing new and exclusive stewardship opportunities for Sabre Society members,” said Virginia Athletics Foundation executive director and deputy athletics director Kevin Miller. “The Sabre Society will not only create a unique connection amongst donors but ensure that UVA Athletics is equipped with the necessary resources to compete for conference and national championships during this critical juncture in college athletics. The introduction of the Sabre Society will have a profound impact on both current and future Virginia Cavalier student-athletes.”
Membership levels within the Sabre Society start with a commitment of $25,000 payable over a five-year period.
To learn more about the Sabre Society, visit VirginiaAthleticsFoundation.com or click the link here. Additional information is also available by contacting senior director of development, major gifts, and campaign strategy, Ryan Schulman, at (434) 982-5515 or via email at rschulman@virginia.edu.
About the Virginia Athletics Foundation
Virginia Athletics Foundation (VAF) is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Through its fundraising efforts, VAF supports the athletics program at the University of Virginia by providing student-athletes the opportunity to achieve academic and athletic excellence. VAF and its 10,000+ donors support all 316.6 athletic scholarships (the maximum allowed by NCAA), sport-specific operational costs, awards, and facilities. Over the last five years, the foundation has averaged $66M annually in total gifts. The VAF includes a staff of 27 full-time employees.