The Legacy of the German Club
The German Club has stood as a cornerstone of tradition and pride for countless students and alumni. It has cultivated leadership, service, and fellowship guided by a deep commitment to its founding principles embodied in the German Club Ritual. Your support helps continue this legacy. As members of the German Club, we stand on the shoulders of those who came before us. Their dedication and contributions shaped the organization we know today, and your involvement will ensure that future generations can enjoy and uphold the same values.
Why Your Support Matters
Every donation to the German Club Alumni Foundation (GCAF) helps uphold the mission and values of the German Club. With your gift, you’re contributing to a living, breathing legacy that impacts current members and alumni alike. Each dollar you donate is an investment in the future, ensuring the German Club’s continued growth, vitality, and service to Virginia Tech, the New River Valley community, the Commonwealth, our Nation, and the world.
Our Annual Fund helps:
- Preserve the traditions of the German Club and support its mission.
- Maintain and improves our physical space, the Manor and Grounds
- Provide scholarships, leadership development, and networking opportunities for current students.
- Bring alumni together in fellowship and continue to foster leadership within the Club and at Virginia Tech.
Your gift doesn’t just fund the present—it secures the future.
Ways You Can Make a Difference Today
There are many ways to support the GCAF and the German Club. Whether you prefer a one-time gift or a recurring donation, every contribution helps us move closer to our goals. Our annual appeal is the single largest source for our budget. Here are some ways you can get involved:
- One-Time Donations: Contribute a lump sum in support of the club's ongoing programs, events, and initiatives. Every dollar counts.
- Recurring Donations: Consider setting up a recurring monthly donation. Even small amounts add up over time, helping to create a steady stream of support for the German Club. For example, our "5 for 5" challenge encourages donors to pledge $5 per month for five years, totaling $300 over that time.
- Employer Matching Gifts: Many employers match charitable contributions. Check with your company to see if they offer this benefit, and double your impact.
Click here to learn more about this from the Virginia Tech Foundation. Or you can donate directly to Virginia Tech using this link. Be sure to select "Student Organizations" and "German Club Alumni Account" in the drop-down menus. You earn giving credit from both Virginia Tech and the GCAF.
Plus-up when attending GCAF events: When register for any GCAF event, you have the opportunity add a gift as part of your check-out.
Leave a Lasting Legacy
Planned giving allows you to make a significant contribution to the German Club Alumni Foundation while securing your legacy for the future. Planned gifts, such as bequests and charitable gift annuities, provide long-term benefits for both you and the organization. These gifts can be tailored to fit your personal financial goals.
Types of Planned Gifts Include:
- Charitable Bequests: Designate the GCAF in your will or trust to leave a lasting gift.
- Charitable Gift Annuities: Make a large donation, and in return, receive fixed annual payments for the rest of your life.
- Retirement Fund Gifts: Name the GCAF as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or pension fund.
Our team is here to help you explore the best options for your planned giving.
Contact us (Director@vtgc.net) for personalized assistance with planned giving.
Honor Your Gift and Leave Your Mark
Yes, “… from none but self expect applause.” However, your generosity does not go unnoticed when you donate to the GCAF. We believe in recognizing and honoring our donors for their commitment to preserving the German Club’s legacy.
Donor Recognition: All donors are acknowledged in our annual report and in other mediums, such as our campaign donor recognition walls. We recognize our donors lifetime for combined annual and planned gifts at the following levels:
- German Club Purple & Gold Society <Make this is link to a dedicated page>: Those who have reached $100,000 in total giving.
- German Club Benefactor: Those who have reached $50,000 in total giving.
- Distinguished Donor: Those who have reached $10,000 in total giving.
- Senior Donor: Those who have reached $1,000 in total giving.
- Donor: Anyone who has contributed to the GCAF.
Tax Benefits and Incentives
Maximize Your Contribution
As a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, the GCAF offers several tax benefits to donors. Gifts made to the foundation are tax-deductible, which can reduce your taxable income.
Corporate Matching Gifts: Increase the impact of your donation by taking advantage of your employer’s matching gift program.
IRA Giving: Direct giving from your IRA to a qualified charity like the GCAF without having to pay income taxes on that money.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF) designation: Grants to the GCAF from your established DAF are eligible and allow your principle to grow tax-free.
Scholarships & Awards: Add to existing scholarships or establish one of your own.
Learn more about how your gift can benefit you financially.