Donation Opportunities

What Will Your Donation Do?

The University of Minnesota Volleyball Program has joined the ranks of the elite -- Big Ten Conference champions in 2002, Final Four participation in 2003 and 2004, NCAA Finalists in 2004, and Elite Eight in 2006. We're competing head to head with the best of the best, but it's not just on the court where that competition occurs.

To stay in this elite group, the Gophers need to recruit the best student-athletes. Along with a first class education, and first class coaching, we need to have first class facilities and capabilities. This comes at a time when the state and the university are asking the sports programs -- and the booster clubs -- to shoulder more costs.

The Golddiggers use a portion of membership dues, and proceeds from merchandise sales, to help fund the volleyball program, but it's only part of what is needed to support the program at the level it needs to be.

Your tax deductible donations pass through the club, and go directly to support the volleyball program. They will be used to...

• update and improve the concourse and ticket lobby of the Sports Pavilion.
• continue to update the team areas, focusing them on volleyball.

As we move forward, new funding opportunities will arrive, including assistance with an international trip (for practice and competition) for the team.

How Can I Donate?

• Gopher Volleyball Locker Room Renovation Campaign

  The University, the volleyball program, and the Golden Gopher Fund are working together to raise funds to renovate the team's facilities in the Sports Pavilion. This includes the team room, locker rooms (coaches and players), and media room.

  Several Golddiggers contributed on their own to the renovation campaign. In December 2005, the Golddiggers Booster Club decided -- with the help of individual members -- to pledge $30,000 for the renovation of the team locker room itself. We are now asking for help from members who are willing and able to give a hand in fulfilling this obligation. Although we have five years to fulfill our pledge, we would like to pay it much faster than that, so we can work on helping out the program in other areas.

  If you would like to help out with a tax deductible contribution, send a check (made out to "UM Foundation") along with a note indicating your wish to contribute, and your name, address, phone number, and e-mail to:

  Golddiggers Booster Club
  PO Box 14781
  Minneapolis, MN 55414
  We'll make sure your check gets sent in to the right place at the University, so the Golddigger's pledge is credited, and so that you get recognition and tax deductibility. (To be tax deductible, your check must be made out to the UM Foundation. Cash, or donation checks made out to "Golddiggers" will go toward the renovation and the Golddigger's pledge, but because of IRS rules, will not be deductible.)

• Volleyball Service Fund

  If you would like to donate directly to the University Volleyball Program, you can find out more about it, and even make a pledge or payment online through the University's Golden Gopher Fund page. If you use this method, when you are making your gift or pledge, in the area where it asks where you would like your gift used, select "Athletics, Intercollegiate". This will bring up a secondary field, and in there, you can type in that you want your gift to go to the Volleyball Service Fund.