Our Commitment to You
The Camel Athletics Network and the Camel Athletics Fund are designed to ensure you see the direct impact of your generosity, whether you’re supporting a specific team or the entire athletic department. Together, we will build a stronger, more competitive future for Camel Athletics
This new era of fundraising for Camel Athletics allows us to:
- Demonstrate clear impact for every gift, ensuring transparency with our donor community.
- Ensure all 28 varsity programs have the resources they need to compete at the highest level.
- Provide coaches and student-athletes with both operational stability and opportunities for growth.
- Create a sustainable fundraising model that supports long-term competitive excellence.
Thank you for your partnership in building the future of Camel Athletics.
The 80/20 Model
When you give to a specific varsity team:
Your gift is immediately put to work directly supporting the team(s) you designate in two important ways:
80% sustains current operations
- This portion supports the team's current operating budget, ensuring our student-athletes have the foundational resources they need, such as competition travel, quality equipment, and uniforms.
20% provides program enhancements
- This portion provides additional support, allowing programs to expand their capabilities with supplemental resources like unique training opportunities, specialized equipment, or enhanced travel experiences.
When you give to the general Camel Athletics Fund:
100% sustains current operations
- Your gift provides flexible support for core operational needs across all 28 varsity programs, ensuring every team has what they need to compete and every student-athlete is able to excel in competition, in the classroom, and beyond.
Transformational Giving: Major Commitments
Donors interested in making a significant, long-term impact may direct gifts of $50,000 or more (which can be given outright or pledged over 1 to 5 years) entirely toward program-enhancing resources. These transformational gifts:
- Require a formal gift agreement to ensure your philanthropic vision is realized.
- May be directed to a specific team's enhancement fund or an approved strategic priority.
- Are managed in partnership with the Director of the Camel Athletics Network and the Vice President for College Advancement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my team-specific gift split 80/20?
This new model ensures immediate, visible impact from your very first dollar. While 80% sustains the essential operations that keep the team competitive today, 20% goes directly into a restricted account that coaches can use for program enhancements. The 80/20 approach ensures both stability and growth–your gift helps maintain excellence while also creating new opportunities for student-athletes.
What’s the difference between “sustaining operations” and “program enhancements”?
Sustaining operations covers the essential costs of running a varsity program–the resources our teams already rely on, like conference travel, standard equipment, and uniforms. This is otherwise known as budget-supporting funds, or the Annual Fund.
Program enhancements provide additional operational support beyond the current budget, such as supplemental training opportunities, specialized equipment, extended travel experiences, or facility improvements. This is otherwise known as budget-enhancing funds, or restricted funds.
Can I support multiple teams or the entire athletic department?
Yes! You can direct your gift to:
- A specific varsity team (80/20 split applies)
- Multiple teams of your choice (80/20 split applies to each program)
- The general Camel Athletics Fund (100% of your gift sustains operations across all programs)
Can I designate my entire gift to enhancements?
Donors making commitments of $50,000 or more may direct 100% of their gift toward program enhancements through a formal gift agreement. For gifts under this threshold, the 80/20 model ensures both operational sustainability and program growth. Contact Jared Holowaty, Director of the Camel Athletics Network, for more information about fully restricted gifts.
How will I know my gift is making a difference?
We are committed to keeping you informed about the impact of your support. You’ll receive regular updates about how gifts are being used, stories from student-athletes and coaches, and opportunities to see your impact firsthand.
Who should I contact with questions about my gift?
Please contact the Office of College Advancement at (860) 439-2400 or the Director of the Camel Athletics Network at jholowaty@conncoll.edu. We’re here to help you make the greatest possible impact for Camel Athletics.