From the Football Field to Financial Planning: Why Alumni Giving Matters

Every fall, college football captures the attention of millions of alumni across the country. Stadiums fill with loyal fans, television ratings soar, and graduates proudly wear the colors of the schools that helped shape their futures.

As a financial planner, I've noticed that many alumni are willing to spend significant amounts supporting their favorite teams. Yet far fewer consider another way to demonstrate school pride: making a charitable gift to the university itself.

For some individuals, that gift can be a meaningful part of a broader tax and legacy planning strategy.

My perspective on college football is a little different than most. In addition to serving clients as a Certified Financial Planner professional with Dawson Private Wealth, I also serve as an SEC football official. Week after week, I have the opportunity to witness firsthand the passion, loyalty, and traditions that make college football special.

What stands out to me is how deeply connected people remain to their alma maters, often decades after graduation.

That connection creates an opportunity to think about giving in a different way.

School Pride Beyond Saturdays

Supporting your university doesn't have to stop with buying tickets, traveling to away games, or purchasing merchandise.

Many colleges and universities rely on alumni support to help fund scholarships, research programs, faculty initiatives, student services, and campus improvements. These gifts can help provide opportunities for future generations of students while allowing donors to support causes that are personally meaningful to them.

For alumni who credit their education with opening professional and financial doors, giving back can be a way of expressing gratitude while investing in the future of the institution.

The Financial Planning Opportunity

Charitable giving is often viewed as an emotional decision. While that is certainly true, it can also be an important financial planning tool.

For taxpayers who itemize deductions, contributions to qualified educational institutions may be deductible for federal income tax purposes, subject to IRS rules and limitations.

When incorporated into a comprehensive financial plan, charitable giving may help individuals:

• Support causes they care about

• Reduce taxable income

• Create a philanthropic legacy

• Involve family members in charitable decision-making

• Align wealth with personal values

The most effective charitable strategies typically begin with the donor's goals rather than the tax deduction itself.

The tax benefit simply becomes an added advantage.

Appreciated Assets May Provide Additional Benefits

Many donors automatically reach for the checkbook when making charitable gifts.

However, individuals who own appreciated stocks, mutual funds, or other investments may have additional planning opportunities available.

In certain circumstances, donating appreciated securities directly to a qualified charity may allow the donor to:

• Avoid capital gains tax that could result from selling the asset

• Receive a charitable deduction based on the asset's fair market value

• Increase the amount ultimately reaching the charity

For investors who have experienced significant market gains over the years, this strategy can be particularly attractive.

Building a Legacy

As a financial planner, I encourage clients to think beyond immediate financial goals and consider the legacy they want to leave. A gift to your alma mater can help future students access the same opportunities that shaped your life, making it a powerful combination of philanthropy, purpose, and tax-smart planning.

Albert Bryant, CFP®, is a Financial Planner with Dawson Private Wealth. In addition to helping clients develop comprehensive wealth management, retirement, and charitable giving strategies, he serves as an SEC football official, giving him a unique perspective on the passion alumni have for their colleges and universities.