How Giving Societies Work

At the Georgia Southern Athletic Foundation, we know you have a lot of philanthropic options and we appreciate your choosing to support the Eagles! In order to show our appreciation to our most loyal and generous supporters, we have four lifetime giving societies. The 1982 Society, the Oak Circle, Beautiful Eagle Creek Society, Talon Society and Champion Society are the highest forms of recognition within the Athletic Foundation. We do not take your investment in the Eagles lightly and will work to make sure you feel appreciated for what you have contributed.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Thank you for your consideration in supporting the Eagles! Please contact the GS Athletic Foundation at athleticfoundation@georgiasouthern.edu and they will be able to answer all of your questions.
You can reach out to Michael Ellis through email at mellis@georgiasouthern.edu to ask about where you currently stand. Anyone who has over $10,000 in their giving society total can request a Giving Snapshot, which has more detailed information.
You are in the giving society for life, even if you never make another gift to the Athletic Foundation. These giving societies are intended to thank you for what you have done, not what you are currently or plan on giving. Once you are in the Talon Society, you will always be a Talon Society member. Even if you give enough to be recognized in the Beautiful Eagle Creek Society, you are still a Talon Society member.
There are no stated benefits. These are recognition societies, meaning you will be recognized for what you have given but this is not a transactional or “give-to-get” setup. We ask you to support our student-athletes at a level which is right for you and we will steward you appropriately. There will be events and unique opportunities for each of these societies, but they will happen as the opportunity arises and not on a set schedule. Please know we appreciate what you do for the Eagles and you will feel that appreciation.
Donors to the Erk Russell Fund already receive benefits each year they give. These giving societies were created to thank those who have given to areas where there are not benefits associated with their gift. We are still recognizing lifetime donations to the Erk Russell Fund but since benefits were already given for these donations, they cannot exceed the Lifetime Major Giving in the calculation for the Lifetime Giving Society Total.
Giving is easy! To give to the Erk Russell Fund, simply go to Give.GSEagles.com and choose the amount you would like to donate - either one-time or monthly - then enter your information. To give outside of the Erk Russell Fund (Indoor Practice Facility, Convocation Center, Competitive Excellence Fund, a specific sport, Scholarship Endowment or Planned Gift(s), please contact the GS Athletic Foundation at athleticfoundation@georgiasouthern.edu