In pursuit of its vision of a model intercollegiate athletics program, the number one goal for Wake Forest Athletics is to create a World Class student-athlete experience. To fulfill this goal, Wake Forest has launched an initiative to enhance program support through named endowments of coaching and leadership positions. Endowing these named positions will create a permanent revenue stream in support of student-athletes; ensure that Wake Forest will recruit, retain and develop the best talent; and honor those who make it all possible.
This effort will expand on the Wake Forest Athletics Excellence Funds program, which was launched in 2018 as a vehicle for alumni, family and friends to make a direct impact on a specific program of their choice through budget-enhancing gifts. Since their inception, Excellence Funds have generated more than $30 million of annual operational support to student-athletes.
“Endowments to support individual sport programs create an incredible, lasting impact on not only current student-athletes, but also for generations of student athletes to come. I am thrilled to be able to celebrate those whose sacrificial gifts create a forever legacy at Wake Forest by naming positions in their honor.”
John Currie (’93)
Vice President and Director of Athletics
"Gifts like these are program-changers. Their impact is both immediate and long-lasting, giving us peace of mind that we can continue to build on our success. Specifically, they are extremely important for staff retention, an essential element to continuity and consistency that our student-athletes notice and appreciate.”
Kim Lewellen
Head Women’s Golf Coach
Forever Deacs
Launched in Fall 2020, Forever Deacs recognizes supporters who have established an endowed scholarship or program fund or who have made a planned gift through their estate. Wake Forest is proud to recognize these individuals, who have created a permanent, lasting impact on Wake Forest Athletics.
Forever Deacs recognizes any individual who has left a forever impact on Wake Forest Athletics in any of the following ways:
• Establishing a Wake Forest Athletics Endowment
• Cumulative giving of $100,000 or more to Athletics Endowments, whether for scholarships or programs
• Including $100,000 or more to Wake Forest Athletics in an estate plan.
How Forever Deacs Make an Impact
Depending on your chosen area of support, gifts made as a part of Forever Deacs can help:
• Fund scholarships for student-athletes, including tuition, housing and meal plans
• Increase recruiting and coaching budgets to attract and retain top talent
• Expand academic support to student-athletes with tutoring, books and career resources
• Elevate training and sports medicine, including nutrition and strength & conditioning
Planned Giving Options & Resources
Charitable Bequest
Designate Wake Forest as a beneficiary of specified asset(s) in your will.
IRA Charitable Rollover
Legally avoid taxes on Minimum Required Distributions by transferring up to $100,000 from your IRA to Wake Forest.
Charitable Gift Annuity
Transfer cash or property to Wake Forest in exchange for fixed payments from Wake Forest for the rest of your life.
Charitable Remainder Unitrust
Transfer cash or property to fund this trust, which will sell your property tax-free and provide income for a designated period of time.
Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust
Transfer cash or property to fund this trust, which will sell your property tax-free and provide fixed income for a designated period of years.
Charitable Lead Trust
Fund a trust that makes annual gifts to Wake Forest for designated time period. Your family receives the trust remainder at substantial estate and gift tax savings.
Sale and Unitrust
Gift a portion of property to fund a charitable remainder trust and receive cash income for life once property sells.
Give It Twice Trust
Transfer IRA to unitrust that will pay income to your family for a designated term and leave remainder to Wake Forest.
Life Estate
Gift property to Wake Forest now but retain the right to use that property throughout your lifetime
Beneficiary Designation Gift
Designate Wake Forest as a beneficiary of a retirement, investment, bank account or life insurance policy.
Current Endowments
© 2023 Wake Forest University Athletics