Gift Matching Programs

State Matching Funds for Endowments

In 1985, the State of Florida introduced its Eminent Scholar/Major Gifts Trust Fund Program. The program provides donors with an incentive in the form of matching grants for donations that establish permanent endowments in support of libraries, instruction and research programs. Gifts to athletics funding are not eligible for matching grants under the program.

Funds are matched contigent upon legislative approval as follows:

For example, a $100,000 gift establishing an endowment would be eligible for $50,000 in state matching funds, creating an endowment of $150,000. A $1,200,000 gift establishing an endowment would be eligible for $900,000 in state matching funds, creating an endowment of $2,100,000.

Courtelis Grants

The Alec P. Courtelis University Facility Enhancement Challenge Grant Program was instituted by the State of Florida to assist universities in building highpriority instructional and research-related capital facilities. Gifts designated to build facilities are eligible to be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Courtelis program contingent upon legislative approval and the allocation of funds. For example, a capital project gift of $1,000,000 is eligible for $1,000,000 in funds from the Courtelis Grant Program.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match the charitable contributions made by their employees. Rules vary by company, but many will double or triple employee gifts and some will match gifts made by retirees or spouses. Although some employers do not match gifts made to athletic programs, most will allow matches to be directed to scholarships and other academic areas. To initiate a matching gift, you may call your human resources office for forms. A matching gift company search is located on the UCF Foundation, Inc. Web site. You may also call the Foundation at 407-882-1220 for assistance.