Frequently Asked Questions
Donations:
Are donations tax-deductible?
Yes. All donations to the W.T. White Longhorn Legacy scholarship Fund, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
The primary IRS support for charitable donations is your bank statement (for donations by check, Venmo and/or Zelle) and/or credit card statement.
Even so, we will send a tax receipt to you for each donation. We can also send a year-end summary of all donations from you if needed.
How can I verify that the LLSF is an IRS-authorized non-profit organization?
Click here to download our IRS Determination Letter (PDF).
Click here to visit the IRS website.
How can I obtain a tax receipt?
We will send a tax receipt to you for each donation. We can also send a year-end summary of all donations from you if needed.
Do you accept recurring donations?
Yes. Aside from large one-time immediate and matching donations, recurring donations are our favorite!
Click on a Donate button on our Donate page. Click on “Monthly,” above the donation amount, to change the donation type from “One-Time” to “Monthly.”
Can I make matching donations?
Yes. Matching donations (and large one-time donations) are our favorite!
Matching donations encourage others to donate. Announcing donation matches, especially surrounding the start of class-specific fundraising efforts and North Texas Giving Day, may help to ensure success for your alumni class.
If you, your business or someone you know would match donations, please contact us. Matching donation programs can be limited. For example, you can match just donations made on North Texas Giving Day (i.e., one day in the fall), or donations up to a defined amount, just donations made by a specified graduating class, etc.
If I donate once are you going to ask me to donate again?
No. Our objective is for each alumni class to raise $50,000 or more…once. Once that $50,000 has been raised, we will not re-target that class for donations.
Our general intent is to limit fundraise outreach to the fullest extent possible.
A few caveats of note:
We distribute general fundraise appeals to all alumni from a graduating class for which we have email addresses until the $50,000 target is met for that class…even to those who have already donated. Several classmates from the Class of ‘79 ultimately donated several times to get us over the top. If you ask us to exclude you from those subsequent appeals, we will.
Certain donors may be associated with several fundraise efforts. It’s therefore possible for those donors to receive more emails. For example, some donors have given to both the Class of ‘79 and in honor of Coach Shepherd. Again however, our intent is to limit fundraise outreach to the fullest extent possible. If you ask us to exclude you from some or all subsequent appeals, we will.
What is North Texas Giving Day? How does it relate to the LLSF?
North Texas Giving Day is an annual fundraising event for non-profit organizations in the North Texas region. Its founding sponsor is the Communities Foundation of Texas, which is unrelated to the LLSF. Other sponsors include Amazon and Charles Schwab. North Texas Giving Day will be on September 21, 2023.
The primary benefit to the LLSF in participating in North Texas Giving Day is that donors who are otherwise unrelated to W.T. White may donate if they deem our cause worthwhile.
Unless otherwise noted in advance, there is no advantage to the LLSF in you donating via the North Texas Giving Day website…in lieu of donating directly to the LLSF. However, North Texas Giving Day represents an excellent opportunity for you, your company or anyone else to match the donations of others for that one day only. In that scenario the LLSF could benefit by donations funded on North Texas Giving Day.
North Texas Giving Day gifts should not be made as payments towards event ticketing (e.g., in conjunction with WT White reunion ticketing).
Credit card donations via the North Texas Giving Day website will read “CFTexas NTX Giving Day 21475004222 TX.”
In an obituary, how can I arrange for donations to be made to the LLSF in lieu of flowers?
Sending flowers to a funeral is a long-honored tradition. Sometimes families prefer other options to honor the memory of their loved ones. It has become common to donate to non-profit organizations in memory of loved ones. We can help you add a non-intrusive donation option to an obituary or funeral program.
The easiest approach is say “In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you consider a donation to the W.T. White Longhorn Legacy Scholarship fund” and add our website address.
Another, potentially more effective approach is to insert a QR code in addition to the website address. We can generate a person-specific QR code in a matter of minutes.
Click here to contact us regarding donations in lieu of flowers.
Can I give gifts to the LLSF instead of donations?
Yes. There are many options.
Gifts of stock, appreciated stock or mutual funds can be ideal charitable gifts. The charitable deduction is based on the fair market value of the stock or mutual funds on the day of the gift. Taxable capital gains may also be avoided. Sale of gifted stock / mutual funds are tax-free to the LLSF.
Other non-cash options are possible too (e.g., life insurance, real estate, retirement assets, virtual currency, etc.). Donations of “large” artwork and collectibles may be possible, although those donations require planning and may create incremental costs for which the LLSF is not equipped to bear. It is beyond the scope of our expertise, for example, to properly determine the provenance of culturally-significant items. The LLSF can work with you and a third-party expert to assess which assets might best suit your charitable giving goals and the best method to fulfill your philanthropic vision.
In certain circumstances, gifts of smaller non-cash gifts may make sense (e.g., airline miles, memorabilia, etc.).
Why do you charge processing fees for credit card and certain other forms of donations?
The LLSF strives to fundraise and award scholarships at the lowest reasonably possible cost. We rely on volunteers in all areas therefore we also strive to operate as efficiently as possible.
The LLSF uses Donorbox as its integrated donor management system. Donorbox is free to use until donations are processed through Donorbox. In other words, we incur no fees for donations paid by check or processed via Zelle or Venmo outside of Donorbox. Those donation funding types are the most cost-efficient for the LLSF and for you.
For some donors, funding via credit card, Apple Pay, Google Pay or PayPal is preferred. Donorbox applies a relatively small platform fee and processing fee to those transactions to cover its actual incremental costs incurred. Our donation forms allow donors to cover our actual costs incurred.
Whether or not donors choose to also cover our processing fees, the efficiency gained allows our volunteers to focus on fundraising and scholarships instead of administrative overhead. Additionally, Donorbox enables recurring donations, matching donations, internal controls and reporting, automated communication and many other features that would otherwise be time-consuming and beyond the capabilities of our relatively small volunteer team.
I am a parent, teacher, coach, administrator or otherwise associated with W.T. White…but not an alumnus. How can I help the LLSF raise donations?
There are many good options. Contact us and let us know what you’re considering.
With regard to donations, you can make a general (i.e., non-class-specific) donation. To donate on behalf of a graduating class not yet listed on our website, or to honor a teacher, coach, administrator or someone else not yet listed , contact us. We can establish a donation fund and form within minutes.
If you would like to help raise funds there are several options. From crowdfunding (creating a dedicated web page that enables video and image-driven storytelling) to peer-to-peer fundraising (enables LLSF non-alumni supporters [e.g., parents] to raise funds from their non-alumni peers [e.g., friends, family, coworkers] as a separate endeavor…with separate branding if desired.
We also need volunteers to gather alumni email addresses.
Teachers can organize a class or group project to develop a marketing video, enhance LLSF social platforms, etc. The possibilities are endless!
Why should I donate to the LLSF if you might use my donation to support W.T. White High School? Shouldn’t the DISD fully support the school?
The LLSF plans to award the vast majority of donations as scholarships to future graduates of W.T. White High School.
In certain limited cases the LLSF may, for example, plant a tree and provide a nearby sitting bench on campus to honor one or more classmates who have passed. In such scenarios we strive to combine LLSF giving with volunteer opportunities for current W.T. White students to, for example, spruce up the nearby surroundings.
The LLSF is cognizant of potential unintended consequences of supporting larger W.T. White capital projects. The LLSF doesn’t intend to provide any such support.
Scholarships:
Can I name, dedicate or otherwise brand a scholarship?
Yes. How that plays out depends upon the amount donated, but many who support the LLSF do so in support of a close friend or family member.
How are scholarship recipients determined?
The LLSF Scholarship Committee defines award categories and administers the application and selection process.
Volunteers:
What volunteer opportunities exist?
Volunteers play a critical role in determining our ability to award scholarships to future graduates of W.T. White High School. If you volunteer we can probably find a meaningful role for you.
Aside from being a Class Captain, Fundraise Captain or Email Gatherer (described elsewhere), adult volunteers (e.g., alumni) can, among other things:
Identify and develop “unrelated” donor sources (e.g., local businesses that W.T. White purchases from, etc.);
Identify and develop sponsorships (e.g., since the LLSF banks with Chase, free banking for scholarship winners);
Develop supporting marketing collateral and media (video, photography);
Identify and develop public relations opportunities (e.g., supportive newspaper and/or magazine articles);
Join or support the Scholarship Committee;
Build the LLSF social media presence;
LLSF website SEO (Search Engine Optimization);
Investment and risk management support;
Independent financial review support.
Are volunteers compensated?
As with all who volunteer to support the LLSF, including the Board of Directors, volunteers are unpaid.
Reasonable and pre-approved direct incremental costs will be reimbursed. Having said that, our plan is to award 99% of all donations received. That leaves approximately 1% for donation processing fees, insurance, technology and other costs. Alumni volunteers often donate their costs incurred. We can be more flexible with student volunteers, depending upon other 1% spending requirements.
Can I or someone I know intern for the LLSF?
Yes, of course. As with all who volunteer to support the LLSF, internships are unpaid.
Having said that, community support can be an important resume builder. For example:
Gather alumni email addresses; it may also be possible to specifically quantify subsequent donations received from those alumni;
Produce a short video that inspires potential donors to give;
Produce a video to support efforts to secure matching donations from businesses and/or individuals;
Produce a short video to recognize past scholarship recipients;
Produce media to recognize notable alumni of W.T. White and their support for the LLSF; and
Help the LLSF build social media presence.
To ask about internship opportunities, contact us at wtwllsf@outlook.com.
Class Leadership:
Can I be, or can I nominate someone to be, a Class Captain?
There is, or will be, one Class Captain for each W.T. White graduating class. The Class Captain leads fundraising efforts for his/her graduating class. The fundraise target for each class is $50,000.
The organizational approach is ultimately up to each Class Captain. We recommend that each Class Captain identifies approximately five Class Fundraise Captains and several Email Gatherers to support your effort.
A Board member will support each Class Captain to the extent desired. The Board will coordinate with each Class Captain to ensure that proper controls exist to protect donations. Class Captains may, but are not required to, join the Board of Directors.
To ask about being a Class Captain, contact us at wtwllsf@outlook.com.
Can I be, or can I nominate someone out to be, a Fundraise Captain?
Fundraise Captains support Class Captains to lead fundraising efforts for his/her graduating class. The organizational approach for each alumni class is ultimately up to each Class Captain but we recommend that each Class Captain identifies approximately five Fundraise Captains. Since the fundraise target for each class if $50,000, each of five Fundraise Captain (e.g.) may be asked to generate donations totaling $10,000.
To ask about being a Fundraise Captain, contact us at wtwllsf@outlook.com.
Can I be, or can I nominate someone out to be, an Email Gatherer?
Email Gatherers are critically important to the success of each fundraising class effort. This role would be ideal for someone motivated to volunteer but who doesn’t feel comfortable asking others for donations.
As the title implies, Email Gatherers gather contact information (primarily emails, but phone numbers help too) for as many living alumni as possible. In our experience, many alumni want to give to the LLSF. Gathering as many email addresses as possible therefore significantly improves the odds for success for your class.
This role would also be ideal for someone who can make a dedicated effort over a relatively short timeframe (e.g., for the initial fundraise appeal). A few subsequent shorter efforts would help further refine email lists by following up to ensure that the email addresses of non-responders are legitimate.
This role could also be ideal for high school and/or college summer volunteers. The effort can be done alone or with friends at any time of the day or night.
To ask about being a Fundraise Captain, contact us at wtwllsf@outlook.com.
LLSF Leadership:
How does the LLSF Board of Directors operate?
The Class of 1979 founded the Longhorn Legacy Scholarship Club. Four alumni from that class serve as executive members of the Board. See our “About” website page. Board meetings are held quarterly.
Class Captains, or an alumnus from each fundraising graduating class, can also join the Board of Directors.
Are Board members or others associated with the LLSF compensated?
No. We are a volunteer non-profit organization.
Stewardship:
How are donations spent?
We plan to award 99% of all donations received. That leaves 1% to pay for donation processing fees, insurance, technology and other costs.
All donations (net of minimal operating costs) will be awarded as scholarships or, in limited cases, donated to W.T. White High School to honor an alumnus who has passed. For example, the LLSF plans to plant a tree and place a bench nearby in memory of Class of ‘79 alumni who have passed.
Are the LLSF financial records audited?
When the LLSF has raised sufficient funds to justify a financial audit or review, the Board will consider that. Two Board members have significant financial and internal control backgrounds, therefore no audit is currently deemed necessary.
What happens to remaining donations if W.T. White High School closes?
The Dallas Independent School District (“DISD”) has invested significantly in W.T. White in the recent past. It seems unlikely that the school will close any time in the near future.
If the DISD chooses to close W.T. White High School in the future, the DISD would provide ample advance notice. The LLSF would then adjust the scholarship award schedule to ensure that all donations are awarded.
Website:
My alumni class isn’t listed on the LLSF website. How can I get it listed?
We can establish a class-specific donation fund and form within minutes. Contact us.
Other:
Is my information private?
Please see our Privacy Policy by clicking here.
How are you associated with W.T. White High School?
The LLSF is not directly associated with W.T. White High School, but we are indirectly associated in the ways you would expect. For example, our Scholarship Committee works with the principal, counselors and others to publicize our scholarship opportunities to upcoming graduates.
How can I add a name to the list of deceased alumnus?
Click here to contact us. We haven’t yet published class-specific webpages with this information but we may in the future.
How is the LLSF associated with class reunions?
The LLSF is not directly associated with any class reunion, including the October 12th, 2023 All-Class Reunion. We are indirectly associated with the organizers of that all-class reunion, and with organizers of other reunions, in that we have obtained some alumni contact information from those committees and we may provide updated alumni contact information to those committees so that they can notify alumni of upcoming reunions.
How can I be comfortable that scholarships aren’t awarded to “friends and family” of those associated with the LLSF?
It is a violation of IRS non-profit regulations to ‘direct’ scholarship awards in any untoward way. The LLSF would jeopardize its non-profit status by doing so. In any event, to do so would contradict our intended goodwill.
The LLSF Scholarship Committee is entirely and independently responsible for selecting scholarship recipients.