Terpoints
Membership
Donating to the Terrapin Club
Season Tickets
Terpoints
Question
How Long Has the Terpoint System Been in Effect?
Answer
The Terpoint System has been in effect since 1995. Terpoints are the most objective method of determining your status as a member because the athletic department does not determine your Terpoints, you do!
Question
How Are My Terpoints Calculated?
Answer
Terpoints are calculated as follows:
Current Gift (8 points per $100)
+Cumulative gifts (4 points per $100)
+Consecutive years of donating1 (1 - 10 years: 8 points per year, 11 - 20 years: 12 points per year, 21 - 30 years: 16 points per year, 31+ years: 20 points per year)
+Membership referrals2
+Deferred gift3
+Years as Season Ticket Holder for Men’s Basketball, Women’s Basketball and/or Football (6 points per sport season per year)4
This sum equals your total number of Terpoints.
Please note: 1) If you skip a year of donating, your consecutive years of giving to the Terrapin Club drops back to one (1) year when you rejoin. 2) Based on initial gift of member. 3) Terpoints for irrevocable deferred gifts are based on the Net Present Value of the irrevocable deferred gift. 4) Six (6) Terpoints are awarded for each sport season that the member both purchased season tickets and was an active member of the Terrapin Club.
Question
What’s the Difference Between Terpoints and Terpoint Priority Rank?
Answer
Terpoints are the actual number of points determined from the above calculation. Terpoint Priority Rank is the relative ranking of one member within the total membership of the Terrapin Club. The person with the most Terpoints is ranked number 1.
Question
What is the Point Difference Between My Current Annual Gift and My Cumulative Gifts?
Answer
Your current gift to the Terrapin Club earns 8 points per $100. Your historical giving, which is classified as “cumulative,” earns 4 points per $100. We are trying to pay our annual scholarship bill and fully fund our program. Weighting your current gift higher than your cumulative giving rewards you for keeping your membership current and allowing us to provide scholarships to student athletes. Your gift to the Terrapin Club stays “current” for one year (365 days) from the day that we process your gift. While it is current, you are awarded 8 points per $100 for that gift. The day after that year time frame is up (on the 366th day), your gift moves to the cumulative category, therefore, awarded 4 points per $100. Any historical giving is part of your cumulative or lifetime giving to the Terrapin Club. For example, Joe Terp gives $600 to the Terrapin Club. His gift was processed on June 15, 2010. Joe’s gift will be awarded 8 points per $100 (or 48 points) from June 15, 2010 to June 15, 2011. On June 16, 2011, Joe’s gift now receives 4 points per $100 (or 24 points).
Question
Why Does My Priority Rank and Number of Terpoints Fluctuate from Report to Report?
Answer
The most important thing to remember is that Terpoints and Rank are fluid numbers that can and will change based on the contribution activity of all Terrapin Club members. In addition, Terpoints are not calculated by simply adding new points to existing points. Terpoints are determined by using the mathematical formula listed above. This formula is re-calculated each time that the points are run. Once the formula is executed, it determines your new total number of Terpoints and your priority rank within the membership of the Terrapin Club.
Question
How Can I Increase My Terpoints?
Answer
The easiest way to increase your Terpoints is by increasing your annual gift to the Terrapin Club or by making a capital gift.
Question
How Can I Increase My Terpoints Without Increasing My Annual Gift?
Answer
Referring new members is the BEST way to increase your Terpoints without increasing your annual giving. YOU RECEIVE 4 POINTS PER $100 FOR EVERY DOLLAR GIVEN BY THE MEMBER YOU REFER. Just make sure the member you refer lists your name on their membership application so we are able to credit your account. Think about all the friends, co-workers and family members you know. IF YOU CONVINCE JOE TERP TO GIVE $600 TO THE TERRAPIN CLUB AND HE LISTS YOU AS HIS REFERRER ON HIS APPLICATION, YOU RECEIVE 24 TERPOINTS!!!
Question
How Can I Check My Terpoints?
Answer
Your Terpoints and Priority Rank are available by accessing your own personal member page at www.terrapinclub.com. Your Terpoints and priority rank are also listed on each membership renewal letter that is mailed to you, as well as basketball and football renewal notices.
Membership
Question
Why Should I Give to the Terrapin Club?
Answer
Terrapin Club members can take pride in knowing that they are providing educational opportunities for University of Maryland student athletes. Currently, over 450 of our 700 student athletes receive athletic scholarship support, many of whom would be unable to benefit from the college experience. Also, being a Terrapin Club member is a great way to support and stay connected with the University of Maryland, the state’s flagship institution.
Question
How Can I Stay Involved Now that I’ve Graduated?
Answer
Recent graduates are encouraged to stay involved with Maryland athletics and join the Young Alumni Program. To ease the financial transition into the club, first-year graduates pay only $25. New graduates receive all the benefits (see the table of benefits) of a paid Silver member including the opportunity to purchase football and basketball seats and an annual subscription to Terrapin Times.
Question
What Benefits Do I Receive for Being a Member?
Answer
Membership benefits vary by giving level. These benefits are listed in table of benefits. All memberships must be paid in full by June 1 for the upcoming school year.
Question
How Do I Get Terrapin Club License Plates?
Answer
Terrapin Club license plates are available to active Terrapin Club members only. Call or stop by the Terrapin Club office to pick up the MVA application. To purchase the plates you must submit a check of $35 made payable to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation (one-time scholarship gift) and include a $25 check made payable to the MVA (vanity cost of the plate). Once the application form is completed, the Terrapin Club will forward it to the MVA.
Question
Can I Transfer My Membership to Another Person?
Answer
The Terrapin Club 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 Terrapin Club 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 Terrapin Club’s obligation of fairness to its members. Often times, memberships have men’s basketball and/or football 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 club.
Donating to the Terrapin Club
Question
How Much Should I Contribute?
Answer
As a Terrapin Club 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. The Terrapin Club is composed of nine levels of membership, ranging from the Director’s Circle level, where members contribute at least $25,000 per year, to the Bronze level, where members contribute $55 per year.
Question
What Methods of Contributing are Available?
Answer
Direct gifts are the most common way of contributing. They are made in the form of cash, stock, checks or credit card (Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express). As a donor, you have the option of contributing once annually or periodically throughout the year. For your convenience, a personal checking account or personal credit card can be debited a set amount every month. University of Maryland faculty/staff may also pay membership through payroll deduction. This works in a similar way as the EBT program, except you have a payment taken out 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 Terrapin Club at (301) 314-7032. The University of Maryland College Park Foundation (the depository for scholarship money) qualifies for most charitable matching gift programs. Please contact your employer to see if you are eligible for a matching gift program or check www.matchinggifts.com/umd.
Question
How Does the Auto-Pay Program Work?
Answer
The Auto-Pay Program enables you to debit your checking account on or about the 15th of each month. So, for example, if you are a Silver Member ($135/year) participating in this program, your checking account will be debited $11.25 per month for 12 months. All Terrapin Club memberships are due in full by June 1st. If you begin the Auto-Pay program after June 1st you will be sent a balance due for the remainder of your pledge. Terpoints for gifts made via the Auto-Pay program are awarded as the Terrapin Club receives each monthly payment. For more information please contact the Terrapin Club office or e-mail terrapinclub@umd.edu. Electronic Bank Transfer Application. A personal credit card can also be charged a set amount each month. Credit Card Authorization Application.
Question
Is My Donation Tax Deductible?
Answer
Current federal income tax laws allow a charitable donation of 80 percent of a 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.? Additionally, it is the responsibility of each donor to report to the IRS the cost of any additional benefits that are received as a part of his or her membership level.
Question
When is My Terrapin Club Membership Due?
Answer
In order to be eligible to receive benefits for the upcoming football and basketball seasons (in this case the 2010 - 11 school year) memberships must be paid in full by June 1, 2010.
Question
Why Do I Receive Monthly Reminders?
Answer
In an effort to keep you up to date regarding your membership, and to ensure that your benefits continue without interruption, the Terrapin Club will send you a monthly reminder. This reminder will allow you to make your gift at any time. Reminders begin in December and continue through June. To avoid receiving monthly reminders, simply return the bottom half of one of the reminders with your pledge for this year. Please remember to inform us what month you would like to be contacted about your pledge.
Question
Can I Use a Corporate Matching Gift to Help Make My Contribution?
Answer
Yes! First, check with your matching gift administrator to ensure that your company will match to the University of Maryland College Park Foundation/Terrapin Club. You can check the University of Maryland’s matching gift database by visiting www.matchinggifts.com/umd. If you are eligible through your company, you can use a matching gift to increase your giving level. For example, if Joe Terp contributes $300 and his company offers a 1:1 matching gift program, Joe is able to contribute at the Gold level - $300 personal gift, $300 corporate match. Please note, in some cases matching gifts for athletic scholarships will be matched at less than 100% of the requested amount. In these cases, it is the member’s responsibility to pay the unmatched outstanding balance.
Question
Do I Receive Terpoint Credit for a Corporate Matching Gift?
Answer
Yes, Terpoints are awarded at the time the University of Maryland College Park Foundation receives and processes the actual matching gift. The matching gift pledge is included in your giving level, but the match stays outstanding until we receive notification that your corporate match has been received. Please be advised that some companies will only match gifts periodically throughout the year; check with your company about their matching gift schedule.
Season Tickets
Question
How Can I Purchase Men’s Basketball Season Tickets?
Answer
Terrapin Club members receive priority seating in Comcast Center. Seat location is determined by current giving level. To order tickets, contact the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) 462-TERP.
Question
How Can I Purchase Football Season Tickets?
Answer
Terrapin Club members receive priority seating in Byrd Stadium. Seat location is determined by current giving level. To order tickets, contact the Terrapin Ticket Office at (301) 314-7070 or (800) 462-TERP.
