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Membership FAQ’s

Why should I give to the Z-Fund?
Z-Fund members can take pride in knowing that they are providing educational opportunities for University of Akron student-athletes.  A great number of our current student athletes receive athletic scholarship support.  Without this support many of them would be unable to benefit from the college experience.  Also, being a Z-Fund member is a great way to support and stay connected with The University of Akron.

What benefits do I receive for being a member?
Membership benefits vary by giving level.  Please see the benefit chart for a list of benefits.

How much should I contribute?
As a Z-Fund member, you can contribute as much or as little as you desire.  Your benefits of membership, however, do vary depending on your level and amount of contribution. 

What methods of contributing are available?
Direct gifts are the most common way of contributing.  They are made in the form of cash, stock, checks or credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or Discover).  As a donor, you have the option of contributing once annually or periodically throughout the year.  For your convenience, personal credit card can be debited a set amount every month.  University of Akron faculty/staff may also pay membership through payroll deduction.  This works in a similar way as the debit program, except you have a payment taken out of every paycheck, which would be more than once a month.  You also must re-enroll each year.  For more information or if you would like to sign up for payroll deduction, please contact the Z-Fund.  The University of Akron and The University of Akron Foundation qualify for most charitable matching gift programs.  Please contact your employer to see if you are eligible for a matching gift program.

Is my donation tax deductible?
Your contribution is 100% tax deductible unless you receive benefits for your contribution (i.e. Seating, Parking, etc.).  Current federal income tax laws allow a charitable deduction of 80 percent of your contribution to an educational institution where, as a result, the contributor receives seating rights for home athletic events.  Please consult your tax advisor for additional information.

How often will seats be allocated?
Seats for Football, Men’s Soccer, and Men’s & Women’s Basketball will be reallocated every four years.  As long as a donor stays within his or her current Z-Fund giving level, they will retain their seats for that period.

How can I improve my seats before seat reallocation?
A season ticket holder may request improved seating if his or her current annual gift has increased resulting in a higher Z-Fund ranking, provided that better seats have become available.

What happens if I do not renew my Z-Fund contribution and season ticket order form by the deadline?
In order to qualify for priority seating you must make your current Z-Fund gift.  All seats that are not renewed and Z-Fund contributions not made by the deadline become available to move upgrades and new donors based on their priority ranking.

When is my Z-Fund membership due?
Your Z-Fund membership is due exactly one year from your previous Z-Fund gift.

What is the minimum donation to the Z-Fund to purchase tickets in the priority seating sections?
The donation levels vary by sport and location of each seat within the stadium or arena. Please check out the ticket section of www.gozips.com for more information.

Do I have to contribute to the Z-Fund in order to purchase season tickets?
No.  Season tickets are available in other areas of our venues.  Z-Fund members have the right to purchase the best available seats in each venue.

Can I purchase additional season tickets beyond my Z-Fund membership?
Yes.  However, the seats will not be allocated in the priority seating sections.  Additional season tickets will be assigned in the best available location in the venue.

Can I transfer my membership to another person?
The Z-Fund considers a married couple to be joint members.  Therefore, if one spouse passes away or is otherwise unable to maintain the membership, the other spouse is eligible to maintain the membership and the associated benefits.  The Z-Fund does not allow memberships to be transferred to other individuals including, but not limited to non-related persons, siblings or children.  The rationale behind this policy is the Z-Fund’s obligation of fairness to its members.  Often times, memberships have football, soccer, or basketball seats associated to them.  By allowing memberships, and therefore seats, to be passed down generations, members who donate have essentially been “locked out” of the seats in favor of a person who most likely has not donated to the fund.