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Kicking off on Thursday, April 9, 2026 - $400,000 in matching funds will be offered to new and increased donors to varsity annual funds. Both 1:1 and 2:1 matching will be available and provided on a first-come, first-served basis using the gift criteria specified below.
1:1 Match (Double Your Gift)
- Who qualifies:
- New donors
- Donors who make an increased gift from last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025)
- Minimum gift: $100
Examples:
New Donor: If someone gives $500, Penn Athletics matches $500, so the team receives $1,000.
Increased Donor: If a donor gave $100 last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) and gives $300 this fiscal year, the extra $200 is matched, so the team receives $500 total.
2:1 Match (Triple Your Gift)
Donors who commit to making gifts of $1,000 or more for TWO consecutive fiscal years (FY26 & FY27) will have their gifts matched 2:1 (max. of $25,000 in matching funds per year) during each year of their commitment. New donors will have their entire gift matched 2:1 (max. of $25,000 in matching funds) each year and donors who increase their total giving from last fiscal year will have the increased amount matched 2:1 (max. of $25,000 in matching funds) each year of their commitment.
Examples:
New Donor: If a new donor commits $2,500 per year for two years, Penn Athletics matches the commitment 2:1 adding $5,000 each year, so the team receives $7,500 per year.
Increased Donor: If a donor gave $1,000 last fiscal year (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) and commits $1,500 per year for two years, the extra $500 is matched 2:1 by Penn Athletics, so the team receives $2,500 per year.
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HOW TO PARTICIPATEÂ
Starting midnight in Thursday, April 9, 2026, until the matching funds are exhausted you can make a qualifying annual fund gift (minimum donation of $100) to your favorite Penn Athletics team in the following ways:Â
- Online: Visit www.alumni.upenn.edu/sparkthematch to make an online gift by credit card
- Phone: Call the Penn Champions Club at 215-898-4717 to make a credit card gift by phone
- To ensure your information is handled securely, we’ll connect you with a secure line to safely process your credit card gift
- Checks, Stocks, Wires, Crypto: Notify the Penn Champions Club (penncc@upenn.edu) of any gifts of stock, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or checks that you intend to count towards the matching initiative
Penn Champions Club StaffÂ
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Tim Folan (tfolan@upenn.edu | 215-605-4440)
Assigned sports: Basketball, Lacrosse |
Blythe Tarbox (btarbox@upenn.edu | 215-746-7448)    Assigned sports: Field Hockey, Rowing, Squash |
| Charlie Carroll (carrol2@upenn.edu | 215-898-8899)    Assigned sports: Golf, Gymnastics, Sprint Football, Tennis |
Maark Keith (maarkei@upenn.edu | 215-898-2931)    Assigned sports: Fencing, Football, Softball |
| Tanner Haugen (thauge@upenn.edu | 215-898-6477)   Assigned sports: Baseball, Basketball, Wrestling |
Shomari Watts (swatts21@upenn.edu | 215-746-0020)  Assigned sports: Soccer, Swimming, Volleyball |
| Brian Fallon (brfallon@upenn.edu | 215-898-6477)   Assigned sports: Lacrosse |
Ansley Rae Page (pageac@upenn.edu | 215-573-0314)  Assigned sports: Track & Field/Cross Country |
Please reach out to a member of our team if you have questions about Spark the Match or need any assistance making your gift!
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FAQ
What is Spark the Match?
A $400,000 matching opportunity designed to multiply the impact of new and increased gifts to Penn Athletics Varsity Annual Funds.
Who qualifies as a new donor?
A donor who has not made a Varsity Annual Fund gift since fiscal year 2024 or earlier (before July 1, 2024).
Who qualifies as an increased donor?
A donor who gave in fiscal year 2025 (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025) or in fiscal year 2026 prior to April 9, 2026 and makes a larger total gift in fiscal year 2026 compared to fiscal year 2025. The match applies only to the increased portion of the gift.
How does the two-year pledge work?
Eligible donors who commit to giving for two years (FY26: before June 30, 2026 and FY27: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027) will receive a 2:1 match (max. of $25,000 in matching funds) on eligible amounts for both years (matching dollars are allocated after the gift has been received).
Please note: 2:1 matching is capped at $25,000 per year. Donors who give or increase by $12,500 or more will receive the full $25,000 annual match.
Is there a minimum gift amount?
Yes. Gifts must be at least $100 to qualify for matching.
 Can a donor make a non-online gift?
Yes – we accept gifts of donor advised fund (DAF), wire, stock, and crypto. Please reach out to a member of the Penn Champions Club if you intend to initiate non-online gift to me matched. You can visit PennChampionsClub.com/WaystoGive to view all giving instructions. All offline gifts must be received before 11:59PM EST June 30, 2026 to ensure proper matching.
Where do matching funds go?
Matching funds are directed to the varsity sport designated by the donor.
Do matching dollars count toward my donor benefits or recognition level?
No. Only the donor’s personal gift counts toward recognition and benefits.
When does the challenge end?
The challenge ends once the full $400,000 in matching funds has been allocated
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