Overview
Build. Believe. Belong.
The Sabre Society is the premier philanthropic giving society for Virginia Athletics, uniting a community of dedicated leaders whose generosity drives transformational impact across our programs. Sabre Society members directly strengthen Virginia Athletics and fuel the University of Virginia's position as a premier brand in college sports. Contributions to the Sabre Society are made in addition to a member's VAF Annual Fund gift, with the exception of in- and out-of-state Scholarship Club donors.
How It Works
Donors who make a minimum commitment of $25,000 beyond their Annual Fund gift (except in- and out-of-state Scholarship Club donors) that is fulfilled over five years ($5,000 per year), qualify for membership in the Sabre Society.
Funding Priorities
Established January 2025 per Presidential Athletics Task Force
Football
Football is now the single greatest driver of brand visibility, conference revenue, and institutional momentum in the ACC's new viewership-based model. When wins directly translate into millions of incremental viewers and disproportionate revenue shares, investing in football becomes the most efficient way to elevate the entire athletic department.
Basketball
With the 2027-28 John Paul Jones Arena Seating Plan, basketball becomes a financial catalyst for Virginia Athletics' next era, transforming the expiration of original seat licenses into a forward-looking investment in what comes next. At Virginia, excellence has never been accidental — it has been built intentionally on discipline, integrity, and preparation — and sustaining that standard in today's game requires resources that match our ambition in pursuit of championships.
Women's Scholarship Endowment
The campaign to endow 30 new women's scholarships represents a bold movement to elevate women's sports and create opportunities at UVA that embody the strength, resilience, and vision of our female student-athletes. Investing in women's athletics is not just about equity—it is critical to sustaining and securing the future of all Virginia sports programs.
According to Ernst & Young, 94% of women executives have a background in sports; more than half participated at the university level, and 80% of women Fortune 500 executives played competitive sports.
To learn more about investing in the Women's Scholarship Endowment, please click here, or contact Heather Troudt, Senior Major Gifts Officer, at hlt2u@virginia.edu.
Baseball
The transition from traditional NCAA scholarship limits to roster caps gives Virginia Baseball new flexibility to award additional scholarships where they make the greatest impact while remaining Title IX compliant. Beginning in 2025-26, the program can expand scholarship support toward the new 34-player cap, contingent on funding. Growing to a target of 25.0 scholarships — a level consistent with recent College World Series participants and our ACC and SEC peers — represents a new annual commitment of just over $1.064 million annually, subject to tuition increases.
Men's Olympic Scholarship Endowment
The VAF is committed to securing the long-term financial sustainability and competitive excellence of our Men's Olympic sports. Unlike annual fundraising efforts that must be repeated every year, an endowment provides sustained, long-term support. With tuition and scholarship cost continuing to rise, sustainable support from endowments is more imperative than ever. Currently distributions from endowments cover, on average, less than 25% of the overall scholarship bill in our men's Olympic sports. To learn more about direct endowment support for a program, click here.
Gift Designations
Sport-Specific Operations
Provides supplemental support and operational enhancements earmarked exclusively and immediately for the sport of your choice.
Endowments
Through various investment vehicles, provides annual spendable income necessary to support UVA Athletics' scholarship obligation, as well as other budget-relieving expenses.
Athletic Director's Excellence Fund
Supports the areas of greatest and most pressing needs at the discretion of the Director of Athletics.
Capital Improvements
Supports current and future capital initiatives to enhance the experience for student-athletes, coaches, and fans.
Annual Fund Scholarship Club
Annual Fund donors who cover in-state ($41,000) and out-of-state ($81,000) scholarship costs each year will be recognized as Sabre Society members for the year in which the Annual Fund commitment is made and subject for renewal annually.
Benefits
- Exclusive society events
- Bonus Priority Points
- Donor recognition
- Away trip travel opportunities
- VIP Gameday experiences
- Premium society branded apparel
- Behind-the-scenes access
Members enjoy unique stewardship experiences, such as:
Bonus Priority Points
Gifts made to the Sabre Society beginning in 2024 beyond qualify for VAF Lifetime Priority Points (pledge x .02) and for Bonus Priority Points per the table below. These Bonus Priority Points are awarded once a commitment is paid in full. Sabre Society Bonus Priority Points are awarded once per five-year term, based on total qualifying contributions made during that period. If a member increases their support during the term and satisfies the requirements for a higher stewardship level, the corresponding difference in bonus points for that level will be credited once the commitment is fulfilled.
| Sabre Society Giving Level* | Annual Fund Scholarship Club** | Bonus Priority Points |
|---|---|---|
| $25,000* | $41,000 in-state** | 1,500 |
| $50,000* | $81,000 out-of-state** | 1,500 |
| $100,000 | 2,000 | |
| $250,000 | 2,000 | |
| $500,000 | 2,000 | |
| $1,000,000* Wahoo Circle | 2,500 | |
| $2,500,000* Podium | ||
| $5,000,000+^ Icon | ||
| $10,000,000+^ Pinnacle |
* Payable over five years, if desired
** Annual donation
^ Cumulative Lifetime Giving
FAQ
The purpose of the Sabre Society is to provide Virginia Athletics with the resources needed to compete for conference and national championships while delivering a world-class experience for our student-athletes. Just as importantly, the Sabre Society fosters a meaningful sense of connection, belonging, and pride among its members, bringing the Virginia community closer together through unique engagement and exclusive experiences that deepen their relationship with UVA Athletics.
Qualifying gifts to the Sabre Society made above and beyond one's annual fund contribution associated with the right to purchase tickets and/or parking are considered tax-deductible. Please consult with your tax professional for additional information.
- Athletic Director's Excellence Fund - Yes.
- Facility Projects and Capital Improvements - Yes, unless the gift is associated with the right to purchase tickets, for example JPJ seating agreement or suites.
- Sport-Specific Operations - Yes.
- Endowments - Yes.
- Annual Fund Scholarship Club - No, if the gift is associated with benefits including the right to purchase tickets to home athletic events.
There are multiple ways donors can qualify for Sabre Society membership:
- Make a minimum commitment of $25,000 (paid over five-years if desired) above and beyond an Annual Fund gift
- Annually donate at the Scholarship Club Level of $41,000 (in-state) or $81,000 (out-of-state) to the VAF Annual Fund
Yes, donors who make a pledge will be stewarded at that level of support for five-years except for the in-state and out-of-state Annual Fund Scholarship Club levels, which receive one year of Sabre Society stewardship. Should a donor fall behind on their pledge payment schedule, VAF reserves the right to suspend one's Sabre Society membership if pledge payments are not fulfilled in a timely manner.
The Sabre Society presents donors with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the current and future success of UVA Athletics. In addition to providing critical support for all 27 sports at the University of Virginia, Sabre Society members will have access to unique stewardship opportunities that become more exclusive based on giving level. These new and enhanced experiences include team travel considerations, invites to unique events, and special behind-the-scenes access.
Interested in becoming a member of the sabre society?
Fill out the form below or download the Letter of Commitment form here and email it to Senior Director of Development, Major Gifts, and Campaign Strategy, Ryan Schulman, at rschulman@virginia.edu