How to Support
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What does the Theta Tau Educational Foundation do?
We award scholarships to Theta Tau student members, recognize academic achievement through the Academic All Stars program, and fund professional development for students and alumni. Since our founding we’ve awarded more than $150,000 in scholarships to student members pursuing engineering degrees.
Is the Foundation the same thing as Theta Tau Fraternity?
No. The Foundation is a separate 501(c)(3) charitable organization with its own board. We exist to support the academic and leadership development of Theta Tau’s alumni and student members, which is why gifts to the Foundation are tax-deductible and dues to the fraternity are not. We are not a recruiting arm of the fraternity.
Who runs the Foundation?
A volunteer board of alumni. Every board member serves without compensation. Meet the board.
Where does my gift actually go?
Into scholarships, Academic All Stars recognition, and professional development programming. Because the board is volunteer and the Foundation has no paid staff, our overhead is unusually low for an organization of our size.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes. The Foundation is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, EIN 43-1774314, and gifts are deductible to the full extent allowed by law. We can’t offer tax advice, so check with your tax advisor about your own situation.
What are my options for giving?
You can give online by credit card or bank transfer, by check, through a donor-advised fund, by transferring appreciated stock, or through a qualified charitable distribution from an IRA if you’re 70½ or older. Contact board@thetataufoundation.org for details if you have any questions.
Can I give monthly instead of all at once?
Yes, and it’s the most useful kind of gift we receive, because predictable income lets the board plan scholarship awards with more confidence. You can set up a recurring gift on our donation page.
How do I change or cancel a recurring gift?
Email us at board or use the management link in your gift confirmation email. There’s no penalty and no awkward conversation. Please allow up to 30 days for the change to take effect.
Can I direct my gift to a specific fund or scholarship?
Yes. The Foundation stewards a set of named funds established by donors and chapters, and you can designate your gift to one of them at checkout. If you’re not sure, giving to the general fund lets the board direct the money where it’s needed in a given year.
What happens if I designate a gift to a fund that's no longer active?
The board will redirect it to a purpose as close as reasonably possible to your original intent, and we’ll reach out to you when we can. Full details are in our donation policy.
Does my employer match gifts?
Many engineering and manufacturing employers do, and a match is the single fastest way to double what your gift accomplishes. Check with your HR department or your company’s giving portal, and if you need our EIN or a completed match form, email board@thetataufoundation.org.
Can I give in honor or in memory of someone?
Yes. There’s an option at checkout to note who the gift honors, and we can send a notification to the person or family you name. This is a common way alumni recognize a chapter advisor, a mentor, or a brother they lost.
Can I start a named fund?
Yes, and it’s the most lasting thing a donor can do here. Named funds carry the name of a person, a chapter, or a family, and they award scholarships in that name for as long as the fund exists. Email board@thetataufoundation.org to talk through what’s involved.
Can I include the Foundation in my will or estate plans?
Yes, and planned gifts are how small foundations become permanent ones. A bequest can be a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after other gifts. Our legal name is Theta Tau Educational Foundation and our EIN is 43-1774314. Email us at board@thetataufoundation.org, and we’ll walk through it with you.
What is the Garnet Club?
The Garnet Club is an exclusive group of alumni who have donated $500 to the foundation within 5 years of graduating. Learn more here.
Will I get a receipt?
Yes. You’ll receive a written acknowledgment by email immediately after receipt of your online gift. It includes the Foundation’s name and EIN, the date and amount of your gift, and the IRS-required statement about goods and services. Keep it for your tax records.
Did I receive any goods or services in exchange for my gift?
For most gifts, no, and your receipt will say so. When a gift is connected to an event or includes something of value, your receipt will describe what you received and estimate its fair market value, and only the amount above that value is tax-deductible. Being listed on a giving wall or in a donor roster is recognition, not a benefit, and doesn’t affect your deduction.
Are donations refundable?
No. All donations to the Theta Tau Educational Foundation are final and non-refundable. As a 501(c)(3) organization, we receive contributions as charitable gifts, and they aren’t subject to refund or exchange. If you believe a gift was made in error, including a duplicate charge or an incorrect amount, contact us at board@thetataufoundation.org within 30 days, and we’ll review it. Our full donation policy has the details.
What do you do with my personal information?
We use it to process your gift, send your receipt, and keep you posted on the Foundation’s work. We do not sell, rent, or trade donor information.
Can I give anonymously?
Yes. There’s an option at checkout, and we’ll keep your name off donor listings and reports. We still need your contact information to issue a receipt.