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Schools can now pay athletes directly, up to a cap. Everything above that cap comes from booster foundations and NIL collectives, and no public record says which organizations fund which program. We built that link from federal filings. Across every Division I program whose funders we can name, the decades-old booster foundations out-raise the NIL collectives 17 to 1.
Analysis by Matthew Hanauer, PhD, Chief Technology Officer at Civly · from the U.S. Department of Education’s EADA survey and IRS Form 990 filings.
Two public records exist. Nothing connects them.
Every college that takes federal student aid and fields a team files an annual survey of what its athletic department made and spent. Because it is a federal filing obligation rather than a records request, it covers private universities: Notre Dame, USC, Duke, Stanford, Vanderbilt. Databases built on NCAA filings and state public-records law cannot reach them.
Booster foundations and NIL collectives are non-profits, so each files a tax return showing what it took in. You can look up any one of them, if you already know its name.
No public record says this program’s athletes are funded by these organizations. Athletic-department finances are a commodity, published by five outfits already. Joining them to the donor engine is the part that did not exist, and it is the only part of this page worth your time.
Two channels fund athletes outside the cap: booster foundations, many of them decades old, and the NIL collectives that arrived with the new rules. They are not the same size.
NIL collectives account for 5.5% of every dollar we can trace to a named program. The booster foundations, athletic associations and booster clubs many of them decades old, account for the rest. University of Georgia Athletic Association Inc alone out-raises all 12 collectives combined by 3.0×.
This is a floor on the collective side, not a census: collectives are young, many file late or not at all, and some are structured as for-profit entities that file nothing public. But every organization above is one whose filing we hold, so the comparison is like for like, and the gap is not close.
The register: each funder, the program it supports, what it raised, what it raised the year before, and how the link was established. Sort by any column.
| Organization | Program | Type | Total revenue | Contributions | Year before | Change | Tax year | Link |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Georgia Athletic Association Inc EIN 580652518 · ATHENS, GA | University of Georgia | Booster foundation | $291.6M | $131.4M | $241.6M | +$50.1M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Georgia Tech Athletic Association Inc EIN 580622514 · ATLANTA, GA | Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus | Booster foundation | $200.2M | $93.1M | $155.2M | +$45.0M | 2024 | mission + state |
| University of Louisville Athletic Association EIN 311106941 · Louisville, KY | University of Louisville | Booster foundation | $142.9M | $35.7M | $140.7M | +$2.2M | 2024 | name + state |
| Tiger Athletic Foundation EIN 721004960 · BATON ROUGE, LA | Louisiana State University and Agricultural & Mechanical College | Booster foundation | $123.9M | $106.0M | $86.8M | +$37.0M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Texas A&M University 12th Man Foundation EIN 741185725 · College Station, TX | Texas A&M University-College Station | Booster foundation | $110.9M | $101.1M | $95.7M | +$15.2M | 2024 | name + state |
| Tigers Unlimited Foundation EIN 364538203 · AUBURN, AL | Auburn University | Booster foundation | $91.3M | $88.1M | $62.5M | +$28.8M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Seminole Boosters Inc EIN 591561180 · TALLAHASSEE, FL | Florida State University | Booster foundation | $82.1M | $68.1M | $80.6M | +$1.6M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Iptay EIN 465666637 · CLEMSON, SC | Clemson University | Booster foundation | $71.6M | $63k | $78.5M | −$6.9M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Gator Boosters Inc EIN 590737883 · GAINESVILLE, FL | University of Florida | Booster foundation | $71.0M | $65.9M | $52.9M | +$18.1M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Razorback Foundation Inc EIN 710540644 · FAYETTEVILLE, AR | University of Arkansas | Booster foundation | $62.1M | $60.2M | $33.3M | +$28.8M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Ole Miss Athletic Foundation EIN 640474850 · OXFORD, MS | University of Mississippi | Booster foundation | $60.2M | $26.1M | $42.6M | +$17.7M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Virginia Student Aid Foundation Inc EIN 540517188 · CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA | University of Virginia-Main Campus | Booster foundation | $50.3M | $47.4M | $59.7M | −$9.5M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Montlake Futures Fund EIN 873396900 · SEATTLE, WA | University of Washington-Seattle Campus | NIL collective | $44.3M | $44.4M | $6.3M | +$38.0M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| California State University Fresno Athletic Corporation EIN 942874546 · FRESNO, CA | California State University-Fresno | Booster foundation | $43.8M | $11.7M | $42.5M | +$1.3M | 2024 | name + state |
| University of Tennessee Athletics EIN 993405430 · KNOXVILLE, TN | The University of Tennessee-Knoxville | Booster foundation | $40.0M | $40.0M | n/a | n/a | 2024 | mission + state |
| Cowboy Athletics Inc EIN 020669448 · STILLWATER, OK | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | Booster foundation | $35.8M | $31.2M | $22.1M | +$13.7M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Georgia State University Athletic EIN 586043293 · ATLANTA, GA | Georgia State University | Booster foundation | $32.9M | n/a | $31.5M | +$1.4M | 2024 | name + state |
| Florida State University Athletics Association Inc EIN 813227626 · TALLAHASSEE, FL | Florida State University | Booster foundation | $29.3M | $18.4M | $42.9M | −$13.6M | 2024 | name + state |
| East Carolina University Educational EIN 566061192 · GREENVILLE, NC | East Carolina University | Booster foundation | $17.9M | $15.1M | $20.4M | −$2.4M | 2024 | name + state |
| Athletic Foundation of the University EIN 237050570 · CHARLOTTE, NC | University of North Carolina at Charlotte | Booster foundation | $16.6M | $15.0M | $6.2M | +$10.5M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Texas One Fund Inc EIN 873873183 · AUSTIN, TX | The University of Texas at Austin | NIL collective | $16.5M | $16.8M | $10.5M | +$6.0M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Classic City Collective Inc EIN 933070490 · SANTA ROSA BEACH, FL | University of Georgia | NIL collective | $16.2M | $16.1M | $2.9M | +$13.3M | 2024 | hand-verified |
| Gamecock Club of the University of EIN 576024939 · COLUMBIA, SC | University of South Carolina-Columbia | Booster foundation | $14.6M | $13.6M | $14.6M | +$28k | 2023 | mission + state |
| The Kennesaw State University Athletic EIN 272508471 · KENNESAW, GA | Kennesaw State University | Booster foundation | $11.9M | $1.5M | $6.3M | +$5.6M | 2024 | name + state |
| Georgia Southern University Athletic EIN 581485954 · Statesboro, GA | Georgia Southern University | Booster foundation | $11.4M | $7.9M | $15.3M | −$3.9M | 2024 | name + state |
| Clemson Athletic Properties Company EIN 871538054 · CLEMSON, SC | Clemson University | Booster foundation | $11.0M | $88k | $8.7M | +$2.3M | 2024 | mission + state |
| The College of Charleston Athletic Fund EIN 570640443 · CHARLESTON, SC | College of Charleston | Booster foundation | $9.9M | $9.7M | $5.1M | +$4.8M | 2024 | name + state |
| University of Southern Mississippi Athletic Foundation EIN 640929171 · HATTIESBURG, MS | University of Southern Mississippi | Booster foundation | $9.7M | $8.9M | $7.2M | +$2.5M | 2024 | name + state |
| Big Green Scholarship Foundation EIN 550631935 · HUNTINGTON, WV | Marshall University | Booster foundation | $7.7M | $957k | $10.4M | −$2.7M | 2024 | mission + state |
| The Varsity Collective Charitable Fund EIN 882810939 · MADISON, WI | University of Wisconsin-Madison | NIL collective | $7.6M | $7.5M | $4.3M | +$3.3M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Pokes with a Purpose Inc EIN 881533796 · TULSA, OK | Oklahoma State University-Main Campus | NIL collective | $6.4M | $6.4M | $946k | +$5.5M | 2023 | hand-verified |
| Unm Lobo Club EIN 856018840 · ALBUQUERQUE, NM | University of New Mexico-Main Campus | Booster foundation | $5.8M | $4.9M | $6.1M | −$334k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Bronco Athletic Association Inc EIN 826026578 · Boise, ID | Boise State University | Booster foundation | $5.3M | $5.3M | $4.2M | +$1.2M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Ahahui Koa Anuenue EIN 237253559 · HONOLULU, HI | University of Hawaii at Manoa | Booster foundation | $5.0M | $4.4M | $8.7M | −$3.8M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Garnet Trust Foundation EIN 920463073 · COLUMBIA, SC | University of South Carolina-Columbia | NIL collective | $4.7M | $4.7M | $3.5M | +$1.2M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Lion Athletic Association EIN 721008129 · HAMMOND, LA | Southeastern Louisiana University | Booster foundation | $4.2M | $2.3M | $2.3M | +$1.9M | 2024 | mission + state |
| UWG Athletic Foundation Inc EIN 462304510 · Carrollton, GA | University of West Georgia | Booster foundation | $4.0M | $3.6M | $2.0M | +$2.1M | 2024 | mission + state |
| Hilltopper Athletic Foundation Inc EIN 610656420 · BOWLING GREEN, KY | Western Kentucky University | Booster foundation | $3.9M | $3.7M | $3.7M | +$177k | 2023 | mission + state |
| Chanticleer Athletic Foundation EIN 570765209 · CONWAY, SC | Coastal Carolina University | Booster foundation | $3.6M | $3.1M | $3.3M | +$222k | 2023 | mission + state |
| David X Marks Foundation EIN 956034304 · LOS ANGELES, CA | University of Southern California | Booster foundation | $3.1M | n/a | $3.3M | −$173k | 2022 | mission + state |
| Jaguar Athletic Fund Inc EIN 631035650 · MOBILE, AL | University of South Alabama | Booster foundation | $2.1M | $281k | $2.4M | −$304k | 2023 | mission + state |
| Cohesion Foundation Inc EIN 881525390 · DUBLIN, OH | Ohio State University-Main Campus | NIL collective | $1.1M | $1.0M | $1.5M | −$367k | 2023 | hand-verified |
| Montana State University Bobcat Club EIN 810378594 · BOZEMAN, MT | Montana State University | Booster foundation | $1.1M | $627k | $892k | +$222k | 2024 | name + state |
| The Penguin Club Inc EIN 237301468 · YOUNGSTOWN, OH | Youngstown State University | Booster foundation | $1.1M | $469k | $1.4M | −$301k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Bleed Purple Athletic Alliance EIN 882362069 · FORT WORTH, TX | Tarleton State University | NIL collective | $709k | $625k | $39k | +$670k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Sawmill Collective Inc EIN 933106151 · NACOGDOCHES, TX | Stephen F Austin State University | NIL collective | $609k | $609k | n/a | n/a | 2025 | mission + state |
| Athletics Foundation of Norfolk State University Inc EIN 521228618 · Norfolk, VA | Norfolk State University | Booster foundation | $518k | $320k | $180k | +$338k | 2021 | name + state |
| City Fans 210 Inc EIN 921327399 · SAN ANTONIO, TX | The University of Texas at San Antonio | Booster foundation | $446k | $446k | n/a | n/a | 2023 | mission + state |
| Aaun Endowment Fund Inc EIN 880296894 · RENO, NV | University of Nevada-Reno | Booster foundation | $386k | $88k | $661k | −$274k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Idaho State University Bengal Athletic Boosters Inc EIN 820434759 · POCATELLO, ID | Idaho State University | Booster foundation | $372k | $226k | $241k | +$131k | 2023 | name + state |
| Buckeye Boosters Inc EIN 237038930 · COLUMBUS, OH | Ohio State University-Main Campus | Booster foundation | $288k | n/a | $151k | +$137k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Jags Impact Inc EIN 920900351 · MOBILE, AL | University of South Alabama | NIL collective | $258k | $258k | n/a | n/a | 2023 | mission + state |
| Varsity House Inc EIN 930523882 · CORVALLIS, OR | Oregon State University | Booster foundation | $224k | $11k | $196k | +$28k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Light The Tower Collective EIN 883320065 · Denton, TX | University of North Texas | NIL collective | $211k | $211k | n/a | n/a | 2022 | mission + state |
| Seahawk Intercollegiate EIN 874444176 · Wilmington, NC | University of North Carolina Wilmington | Booster foundation | $203k | $187k | $168k | +$35k | 2025 | mission + state |
| Trojan Athletic Foundation Inc EIN 203657234 · LITTLE ROCK, AR | University of Arkansas at Little Rock | Booster foundation | $172k | n/a | $198k | −$26k | 2023 | mission + state |
| University of Kentucky Varsity EIN 237220532 · LEXINGTON, KY | University of Kentucky | Booster foundation | $162k | n/a | $180k | −$18k | 2019 | name + state |
| The Uconn Club Inc EIN 061333372 · STORRS, CT | University of Connecticut | Booster foundation | $122k | $6k | $86k | +$36k | 2024 | mission + state |
| Oregon Booster Association Inc EIN 943180347 · EUGENE, OR | University of Oregon | Booster foundation | $71k | $32k | $71k | +$131 | 2024 | mission + state |
| The Thunder Trust Foundation Inc EIN 883715207 · HUNTINGTON, WV | Marshall University | NIL collective | $16k | n/a | $158k | −$142k | 2025 | mission + state |
| Crimson Tide Foundation EIN 201715023 · TUSCALOOSA, AL | The University of Alabama | Booster foundation | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | hand-verified |
| Athletic Association University EIN 237046624 · RENO, NV | University of Nevada-Reno | Booster foundation | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | 2024 | mission + state |
| Wichita State University Intercollegiate Athletic Assoc Inc EIN 480690618 · WICHITA, KS | Wichita State University | Booster foundation | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | n/a | name + state |
All 63 organizations we can tie to a named program, covering 54 of 358 Division I programs. Each figure is that organization’s most recent filing; those span tax years 2019–2025, so the column names the year rather than implying a single snapshot. Totals should be read as “most recent filing on record,” not as one fiscal year. Organization names appear as they do in the filing, and a few are cut short there rather than here.
Change is the movement against the prior year in dollars, available for 55 of the 63 filings. It is shown in dollars rather than percent on purpose: a percentage off a small base ranks a few hundred thousand above a swing of tens of millions.
There is no payment record. Nothing in the public record says a given organization funds a given school, so the link is built from names and stated purpose, and only published when three things hold at once:
1. the organization’s name contains the
school’s own name, built into a phrase that must include “university,”
“college” or “institute” so a place name alone can never match;
2. it is registered in the school’s state;
3. it says it exists for athletics, in its own name or in its 990 mission statement.
Nickname matches never publish automatically. “Crimson Tide,” “Buckeye” and “Gator” are shared with thousands of high-school clubs, a swim team and, in one case, a dairy. Those go to human review.
Of the 63 links here: 37 matched on mission text, 15 on name, and 11 were verified by hand. Hand-verification is the only route allowed to cross a state line, which is how Georgia’s Classic City Collective, which files from Florida through a management company in Alabama, is linked to Georgia at all.
A 990 shows what an organization raised. It never shows what any athlete was paid. Nothing here is anyone’s compensation, and no figure on this page should be read as a deal value.
Coverage is 54 of 358 programs. Where a program is absent, that means we have not verified a funder for it, not that it has none. Many programs have no separately filing booster entity at all, because the money runs through the university’s main foundation, which files as one organization covering the whole institution. A wrong EIN would put a wrong dollar figure under a named school, so unconfirmed candidates are held back rather than guessed.
These filings predate the rule change. Schools could first pay athletes directly on 1 July 2025, and most of these returns cover the year before that. They describe the funding landscape going into revenue sharing, not its effects.
There is no single “donor money” line. IPTAY, Clemson’s booster foundation, books donor money as program service revenue. Its contributions line reads $63k against $71.6M of revenue. Collectives commonly book athlete payments as fees for services rather than grants. The register leads with total revenue for that reason.
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