Donor Recognition

A message to Penn State’s donors and friends

For decades, Penn State has recognized our most generous supporters by inviting them to become members of University-wide giving societies: the President’s Club, the Mount Nittany Society, and the Nittany Lion Club. These organizations were created to honor the important role that donors play in our success and to inspire new levels of philanthropy.

For the first time in more than ten years, the requirements for membership are being changed. These changes reflect careful study by a task force of donors, volunteers, and staff, benchmarking with peer
institutions, and increases in the cost of providing world-class educational and athletic opportunities, as well as inflation.

Mount Nittany Society

• Effective January 1, 2008, cumulative gifts of $250,000 or more will qualify donors for membership. There will be no increase in the requirement for membership to the Laurel Circle, which will continue to honor donors whose cumulative gifts exceed $1 million. Current members and donors who qualify at the current $100,000 minimum level by December 31, 2007, will retain their membership after the increase goes into effect.
  
• If you have any questions about the Mount Nittany Society, please contact Chrissy Castles, associate director of Donor Relations, at 814-863-4300.

President’s Club

• Membership in the Sparks Circle is offered to those whose annual unrestricted gifts reach the $5,000 level.
• The Hetzel Circle of the President’s Club honors those individuals who make annual unrestricted gifts of $2,500 or more to the University, to an academic college, or to a campus.
• Donors age 35 or under may qualify for the Eisenhower Circle by making annual unrestricted gifts of at least $1,500.
  
• If you have any questions about the President's Club, please contact Howard Heevner, director of Annual Giving, at 814-863-2052 or visit www.PresidentsClub.psu.edu.
  

Nittany Lion Club

• The following range of gift levels will go into effect for the 2008–09 season:
  • Lion Patron: $50–$199
  • Lion Backer: $200–$399
  • Lion Loyalty: $400–$799
  • Blue-White: $800–$1,499
  • Honorary Captain: $1,500–$2,199
  • Honorary Coach: $2,200–$2,999
  • Honorary Director: $3,000–$5,999
  • Lions Circle: $6,000–$16,999
  • All-American: $17,000–$24,999
    
• For questions regarding the Nittany Lion Club, please contact John Nitardy, interim executive director, at 814-865-9462 or visit www.nittanylionclub.com.