Thank you for your support of Baylor and our student-athletes. As you know, our department relies heavily upon the funds raised from private giving through the Baylor Bear Foundation. Currently, your giving accounts for approximately 20 percent of the revenue we depend on to offer educational, athletic and developmental opportunities for more than 530 student-athletes who are on Baylor's campus today.

As you may already be aware, legislation affecting charitable tax deductions is moving through Congress and is expected to pass this week. Under the current tax code, a portion of your Bear Foundation giving has been considered tax deductible. The new proposed tax legislation could eliminate your ability to claim the same level of deduction on your taxes, effective January 1, 2018.

Given this information, we encourage you to consider completing your 2017-18 Bear Foundation commitment and/or pre-paying for 2018-19 before December 31, 2017, in order to claim the maximum deductions from your giving. As always, we advise you consult with your personal tax advisor with any questions or for additional guidance.

Online giving is available through your DonorNet account or you may wish to mail a check to Baylor University. Please see below for detailed instructions for year-end giving.

The athletic department and Bear Foundation office will be closed December 25 through January 2. However, Baylor University Gift Processing will be available to assist you, as needed, during their limited holiday hours through Friday, December 29.

Please know your continued support is deeply appreciated. It is paramount to our ability to invest in our student-athletes and our life-changing mission of Preparing Champions for Life.

Sincerely,

Mack B. Rhoades, IV
Vice President and Director of Intercollegiate Athletics