THE FLATS – In a unified endeavor, Georgia Tech, the Georgia Tech Foundation, Georgia Tech athletics and the Alexander-Tharpe Fund have come together to accelerate funding for student-athlete scholarships with the launch of the Competitive Drive Initiative. The initiative kicks off with the Accelerate GT Match Program, where any new gift to the A-T Fund’s Athletic Scholarship Fund made through Dec. 31 will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Georgia Tech Foundation, up to $2.5 million. Should Accelerate GT reach its $2.5 million fundraising goal, the matching gift would result in a $5 million impact for Georgia Tech athletics.
“I’m proud and excited to announce the launch of the Competitive Drive Initiative and the kickoff of the Accelerate GT Match Program,” Georgia Tech director of athletics J Batt said. “I have learned in a very short time that Georgia Tech fans and alumni are passionate about our student-athletes and have a desire to make an impact on their ability to compete at the highest levels, both on the field and in the classroom. Through the generosity of the Georgia Tech Foundation, anyone that contributes to the Accelerate GT Match Program between now and Dec. 31 will not only double the impact that they make, but will also double the benefits they receive as an A-T Fund donor. We’re grateful for the Institute, the Georgia Tech Foundation and, of course, everyone who contributes to the Competitive Drive Initiative for the impact that they are making towards the success of Georgia Tech student-athletes.”
“It is no small feat that Georgia Tech’s student-athletes successfully compete at the highest level of collegiate sport while also completing rigorous academic degree programs,” said Ángel Cabrera, president of Georgia Tech. “Now more than ever, philanthropic support like the Competitive Drive Initiative can make a lasting impact on the educational and athletic journeys of these deserving, hard-working Yellow Jackets.”
As an incentive to contribute to the Accelerate GT match program by Dec. 31, not only will the gift be matched by the Georgia Tech Foundation, but so will the contributor’s benefits in the way of A-T Fund giving levels and priority points (e.g. – a person that makes a $500 contribution to Accelerate GT by Dec. 31 will receive benefits at the Heisman ($1,000) giving level and receive 20 A-T Fund Priority Points, instead of 10).
To be eligible for the dollar-for-dollar match, a donor must make a new gift to the Athletic Scholarship Fund by Dec. 31. For donors that made gifts to the Athletic Scholarship Fund during the 2022 Giving Year (July 1, 2021-June 30, 2022), a new gift is defined as any amount greater than that donated in 2022, and the match will be applied to the amount of the new gift. For those who did not make an Athletic Scholarship Fund donation in 2022, their entire gift is eligible to be matched.
The Competitive Drive Initiative is a part of Transforming Tomorrow, Georgia Tech’s $2 billion comprehensive campaign to build a foundation for advancing the Institute and its impact — on people’s lives, on the way we work together to create innovative solutions, and on our world — for decades to come.
To learn more and to donate online, visit atfund.org/accelerate.
Alexander-Tharpe Fund
The Alexander-Tharpe Fund is the fundraising arm of Georgia Tech athletics, providing scholarship, operations and facilities support for Georgia Tech’s 400-plus student-athletes. Be a part of developing Georgia Tech’s Everyday Champions and helping the Yellow Jackets compete for championships at the highest levels of college athletics by supporting the Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund, which directly provides scholarships for Georgia Tech student-athletes. To learn more about supporting the Yellow Jackets, visit atfund.org.
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