Purple & Gold Society

Society Brochure

Society Members

Give Today

Established in 2025, the Purple & Gold Society is a leadership giving society to support ECU Athletics through increasing philanthropic revenue and improving the overall student-athlete experiences for our 430 ECU student-athletes.

The Purple & Gold Society was designed with both our student-athletes and donors in mind. Gifts to this society are philanthropic in nature but reward donors with unique experiences and opportunities within ECU Athletics. Donor advised funds, stock gifts and matching gifts are all accepted within this society and gifts are not tied to tickets or parking, keeping gifts tax deductible.

The Purple & Gold fund is designed to provide critical support to ECU Athletics to meet current challenges and champion new experiences for current and future ECU student-athletes. Gifts to this fund will be used for student-athlete recruitment and retention, scholarships, and other operations of ECU Athletics to enhance the student-athlete experience.

Those interested in contributing to the society should utilize the link above, contact the Pirate Club by phone at 252-737-4540, option 3, or by email at ecupirateclub@ecu.edu.

Five-Year Commitment Breakdown

Gifts to the Purple & Gold Society may be paid in full or the Pirate Club will work with you to create up to a five-year payment schedule. Members may contribute towards their pledge monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.

The Purple & Gold Society Benefits Chart exclusively serves the society's members. Gifts paid in full will receive immediate benefits for a 5-year period. Gifts paid over a 5-year period will receive benefits so long as payments are up-to-date. All tangible gift items will be distributed in August each calendar year.

An investment breakdown is provided below for what to expect with our different payment plan options. Donors may choose to join the Purple & Gold Society at any point during the calendar year.

Priority Points will be awarded for all gifts to the Purple & Gold Society unless otherwise specified by the donor. All gifts will be subject to a tax deduction less the fair market value of any benefits provided to the donor. The Pirate Club does not provide tax or legal advice and encourages donors to contact their personal tax advisors.

Investment Breakdown by Giving Level

Frequently Asked Questions

Gifts to the Purple & Gold Society are contributions above and beyond IMPACT Fund gifts in support of numerous student-athlete programs and initiatives. The IMPACT Fund will continue to serve as the priority seating and parking program for the Pirate Club.
The Purple & Gold Society is simply formalizing a process that has been in place within the Pirate Club for giving philanthropically to support our ECU student-athletes.
No. Gifts to the Purple & Gold Society are independent of existing IMPACT Fund donation requirements for seating and parking benefits.
Gifts may be paid in full or the Pirate Club will work with you to create up to a five-year payment schedule. Members may contribute towards their pledge monthly, quarterly, semi-annually or annually.
The Pirate Club welcomes gifts from donor advised funds, stock gift and matching gifts for the Purple & Gold Society. Stock gifts will receive an acknowledgement letter at the time of the gift.
All gifts will be subject to a tax deduction less the fair market value of any benefits provided to the donor. The Pirate Club does not provide tax or legal advice and encourages donors to contact their personal tax advisors.
We have a benefits chart exclusively for members of the Purple & Gold Society. Gifts paid in full will receive immediate benefits for a 5-year period. Gifts paid over a 5-year period will receive benefits so long as payments are up-to-date.
Purple & Gold Society membership is awarded for five years.
To join the Purple & Gold Society, please contact any member of the Pirate Club staff at 252-737-4540, option 3 or by email at ecupirateclub@ecu.edu.
Benefits will be received as long as payments are up to date. Double Priority Points are immediately awarded for all paid dollars. Our gift acknowledgement team will reach out to each donor following their Purple & Gold Society commitment. All tangible gift items will be distributed in August each calendar year.
Yes, double priority points will be awarded for all gifts to the Purple & Gold Society unless otherwise specified by the donor.

Example Scenarios

There are a lot of giving buckets within the Pirate Club. NIL and Team Boneyard added more options and now there is a new society. I’m confused on how to best show my support. Where should I put my money?

At the Pirate Club, we strive to tailor each donation to align with the unique interests and passions of our donors. By understanding what matters most to you, we connect your support with the current needs of the Pirate Club and our ECU student-athletes. Our goal is to ensure that every gift you make has the maximum impact both to you and our student-athletes. Below we will walk you through a few scenarios we’ve been asked by our donors in hopes one may resonate with you. As always, please call our Pirate Club Development team at 252-737-4540, option 3 so we can talk you through any questions or concerns you may have.

Scenario 1: Big Guy gives to the Pirate Club through his company. He prefers as much of his donation as possible to be tax deductible for the company. He always purchases football season tickets in section 16. He is beginning to understand the importance of NIL, student-athlete recruitment and retention and wants his support to play a role in the Pirates’ success. How should Big Guy give money to the Pirate Club?

In order to receive his tickets, Big Guy will need to contribute to the IMPACT Fund at the Skull & Cross bones Level ($750). He will also need to purchase his football season tickets. For both of these purchases, donors are encouraged to speak with their tax advisors on the tax deductibility of these gifts. For tax deductible gifts to the Pirate Club Big Guy has two options:

1. Big Guy can join the Purple & Gold Society for a minimum of $5,000 per year over a 5-year commitment period for a total of $25,000. OR

2. Big Guy can donate a one-time gift or sign up for a monthly contribution to the Athletics Excellence Fund in any amount.

Both of these funds may be used for student-athlete recruitment and retention.

Scenario 2: Blaise wants to give using his donor-advised fund. How can he best support the Pirate Club?

Blaise has a few different options for his donor-advised fund gift. With the tax deductible nature of the gift, a donor-advised fund may not be used towards the IMPACT Fund. However Blaise can use his donor advised fund to contribute to the Athletics Excellence Fund (at any amount) or the Purple & Gold Society (at least $5,000 annually).

Scenario 3: Kent loves ECU baseball and wants to support the baseball team as much as he is able. How can Kent best support the ECU baseball program?

Aside from purchasing baseball season tickets, Kent should donate either to the Athletics Excellence Fund (at any amount) or the Purple & Gold Society (at least $5,000 annually). All monies collected in these funds may be used for student-athlete recruitment and retention for our ticketed sports.

Scenario 4: Andrew wants an ECU student-athlete to speak to his employees about perseverance for an upcoming convention. How should Andrew donate money to make this happen?

Andrew should reach out to Team Boneyard (teamboneyard.org) with a inquiry. Team Boneyard will work directly with the student-athlete and donor to establish an NIL agreement.

Scenario 5: Macy has been a loyal Pirate Fan for over 30 years. Right now, she is unable to contribute $5,000 annually. How can she support her Pirates?

In addition to purchasing season tickets, Macy should contribute to the Athletics Excellence Fund. No matter the amount ECU student-athletes will directly benefit from one-time or monthly contributions.

Scenario 6: Danielle is signed up for Team Boneyard monthly draft. Should she keep giving to Team Boneyard or switch over to AD Excellence Fund or Purple & Gold?

Until we receive more guidance on the House vs. NCAA settlement, we encourage those who are on an automatic draft to Team Boneyard to continue to do so. As we gather more information, a member of the Pirate Club staff will reach out to those individuals to determine how we can move forward with your donation. If you are interested in switching your donation immediately for tax deductibility purposes, please reach out to the Pirate Club Development team and we can assist you with the changeover.

Athletics Excellence Fund

Fired up to make a gift? No matter the amount, your gift is very impactful and important to our ECU student-athletes. Contributions at any amount can be made to the Athletics Excellence Fund to support ECU Athletics efforts in student-athlete recruitment and retention. Click the link below to learn more about this fund and how to contribute today.

Athletics Excellence Fund