The UT Foundation provides opportunities and platforms for student organizations to raise funds and receive tax deductible donations. Fundraising platforms available to student organizations via the UT Foundation include VOLstarter and Big Orange Give.
VOLstarter Fundraising Projects
UT’s crowdfunding platform, VOLstarter, is where registered student organizations, students, faculty, and staff can raise money for a project or initiative. Administered by the UT Foundation, VOLstarter has helped fund scholarships, student organization competition and conference expenses, equipment costs, and more through direct network support.
As contributions through VOLstarter are given via the UT Foundation and are aimed to support specific areas of the university they are eligible for income tax deductions, as allowed by law.
For more information, please review The VOLstarter Handbook as well as visit volstarter.utk.edu.
Once their VOLstarter is completed, to spend funds, registered student organization’s should contact the representative from the college/unit that your student organization is associated with. The contact for RSOs within the Center for Student Engagement is Kerri Lovegrove. To access RSO enrichment account funds, visit the visit the RSO Account Request page. * If your organization is associated with/advised by another area on campus (ex: a sorority or fraternity, sports club, or an academic organization within an academic college, etc.), please see the for comprehensive list of area representatives in The VOLstarter Handbook.
Big Orange Give Annual Fundraising
Held each November, Big Orange Give is the university’s day of giving via the UT Foundation. It is 24-hour online challenge for alumni, friends, parents, students, faculty, staff, and fans to show their support of Rocky Top. Registered Student Organization have an opportunity to participate in Big Orange Give to raise money for their organization.
Once Big Orange Give is completed, to spend funds, registered student organizations should contact the representative from the college/unit that your student organization is associated with. The contact for RSOs within the Center for Student Engagement* is Kerri Lovegrove. To access RSO enrichment account funds, visit the visit the RSO Account Request page. *If your organization is associated with/advised by another area on campus (ex: a Sorority or Fraternity, Sports Club, or an academic organization within an academic college, etc.), please see the for comprehensive list of area representatives.