Giving
Areas of Giving
Howling pack fund
The Howling Pack is the University of South Dakota's annual athletic scholarship fund. Gifts to the Howling Pack support scholarships for Coyote student-athletes, helping cover costs such as tuition and fees, meals, housing, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
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More Information
For information on establishing an endowment or making contributions to an existing endowment, contact Ben LeCompte at Ben.LeCompte@usdfoundation.org.
Endowments
An endowment is a long-standing method of allocating contributions to a permanent fund that is invested to generate annual income. As the fund grows, so does the income it produces. Annual distributions support student-athletes, while the principal remains invested to sustain the fund in perpetuity.
A minimum commitment of $50,000 is required to establish an athletic endowment, which may be fulfilled over five years. Donors receive guidance in setting award criteria and selecting naming options.
Give Now To a specific sport endowment
Capital
Projects
Capital projects play a critical role in the success of Coyote Athletics. Upgrading current facilities and developing future ones ensures student-athletes have access to state-of-the-art spaces to train, compete, and grow. These investments not only enhance the student-athlete experience but also elevate our programs by providing the resources needed to reach their full potential.
Excellence Funds
Your investment goes beyond basic needs—supporting student-athletes and fueling championship performances in the Summit League and NCAA. This initiative allows donors to direct their support to specific sports by funding excellence programs through targeted, high-impact contributions. Join us in shaping the future of Coyote Athletics.
USD Sports
Season Tickets
Yote Fund members enjoy exclusive early access to purchase season tickets for the DakotaDome and Sanford Coyote Sports Center. Priority seating sections require a minimum per-seat contribution to the Howling Pack, which secures your seats on a season-ticket basis. These contributions also count toward your total Yote Fund annual membership level and earn valuable Coyote Points.
Contributions to South Dakota Athletics are considered gifts to the University of South Dakota and are credited at full value by the USD Foundation. As of 2018, donations tied to minimum per-seat contributions and premium seating may not be tax-deductible. However, gifts to sport-specific funds, endowments, and capital projects remain fully deductible. Donors receive acknowledgment letters with relevant tax details. Please consult your tax advisor for guidance.
Important Dates 2025-26
July 1
Yote Fund Membership Year Begins
October 4
Dakota Days
February 18-19
Unite for USD
March 4-8
Summit League Basketball Tournament
April 17
Calling All Coyotes
June 30
Last Day to Renew Howling Pack & Season Tickets to Earn 25 Bonus Coyote Points
2025 SANFORD COYOTE GOLF TOUR
May 28
Yankton Coyote Open
June 16
Vermillion Coyote Open
June 30
Coyote Metro Open
July 14
Rapid City Coyote Open
August 4
Beresford Coyote Open
What Does It Cost To Fully
Fund a student-athlete?
Student-Athlete Benefit Annual Cost Breakdown
754
Strength &
Conditioning
2,238
Game &
Practice Apparel
1,254
Food &
Nutrition
3,082
Sports
Medicine
7,786
Travel
904
Academic
Awards
15,859
Coaching &
Admin Support
Out-of-State Scholarship
Total Annual Cost
61,189
In-State Scholarship
Total Annual Cost
57,689
Charles Pierre JR. | Orlando, FL
#3 Running Back (Football)
Olivia Kieffer | Rapid City, SD
#0 Guard (Women's Basketball)
Ways To Give
Cash
A gift of cash, via check or credit card, is the most common way for you to make an immediate charitable impact while also enjoying potential tax benefits.
Matching Gifts
If your employer provides matching gifts, you can double the impact of your personal gift.
Pledge
You can make a pledge that is payable over time - typically annually over two to five years - so that you can tailor your donation to your interest and ability to pay.
Stocks & Securities
Gifts of publicly traded stocks and securities can make an immediate impact while providing you potential tax advantages through charitable deductions and avoidance of capital gains tax liability.
Donor-Advised Funds
A donor-advised fund (DAF) ia a philanthropic giving vehicle that provides an immediate tax benefit to you and allows you to grant funds to charities of your choice. Contact your fund administrator to direct your gift to USD.
Retirement Accounts
By designating USD as beneficiary of all or a percentage of your IRA or any other qualified retirement account, you can make a substantial gift while potentially avoiding estate and income taxes.
Charitable Bequests
A bequest via your will or revocable trust can allow you to leave a significant legacy while retaining control of your assets during your lifetime.
Other Ways To Give
Charitable lead trust, charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder trust, real estate, life insurance, artwork and other personal property can all be used to support USD and its mission.