Ah, the world of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) in college sports—a topic that can make even the most die-hard Cougar fans roll their eyes. But before you scroll away to watch that highlight reel of the 1998 Apple Cup, let’s talk about something that might just change your perspective: Cougs 4 Kids.
NIL: Notorious, Icky, and Lamentable?
It’s no secret that NIL has garnered a less-than-stellar reputation among Cougar fans. Concerns about fairness, potential imbalances among teams, and the erosion of traditional amateur athletics have left many of us skeptical. As one Cougar fan lamented on social media, “NIL is just a fancy term for the wild west of college sports.”
These apprehensions aren’t unfounded. The introduction of NIL has shifted the dynamics of competition and recruitment, leading to fears that larger programs with deeper pockets will dominate the landscape, leaving schools like WSU at a disadvantage (Schaeffer, “College Sports NIL”).
Portal Pandemonium: How NIL is Shaking Up College Football
The transfer portal, once a modest stream, has turned into a raging river, with players seeking greener (wealthier) pastures. The promise of lucrative NIL deals has made it easier for athletes to justify jumping ship, leading to a more transient and unpredictable roster landscape. This past December was proof that this problem is real for WSU!
But here’s the kicker: NIL contributions don’t have to be about throwing wads of cash at athletes to lure them away. Some larger collectives have successfully implemented nonprofit NIL initiatives that serve a greater good. For example, the Iowa Swarm Collective, a charitable and federally tax-exempt organization, has raised significant funds to support athletes while maintaining transparency and community involvement (“Breaking: Iowa NIL Collective”).
Similarly, the University of Washington’s Montlake Futures operates as a nonprofit collective, empowering student-athletes by leveraging NIL opportunities for positive community impact (“Montlake Futures”).
Enter Cougs 4 Kids: The Game Changer
Good news, Cougar Nation! There is a solution that aligns with our values and supports both our student-athletes and the community: Cougs 4 Kids.
Cougs 4 Kids is a nonprofit organization dedicated to:
- Empowering Marginalized Youth: Providing resources and opportunities to underserved children in Washington State.
- Supporting Student-Athletes: Facilitating NIL opportunities that encourage athletes to engage with the community and develop leadership skills.
- Building Cougar Nation: Fostering a sense of pride and unity by connecting alumni, fans, and athletes through meaningful initiatives.
Why Should You Care?
- More Than Just Money: It’s about creating lasting impacts, both for the athletes and the youth they inspire.
- Recruiting Future Cougs: By investing in local marginalized youth, we’re planting the seeds for the next generation of Cougars, both on and off the field.
- Tax-Deductible Donations: Unlike other avenues, contributions to Cougs 4 Kids are tax-deductible (Porter).
Seeing Through the Smoke with Transparency
When it comes to transparency, not all collectives are created equal. Standard collectives often operate in a murky middle ground, with little obligation to disclose where your hard-earned dollars go after they leave your wallet. Nonprofit collectives, on the other hand, play by stricter rules. Organizations like Cougs 4 Kids are required to file public tax documents (hello, Form 990!) detailing expenses, salaries, and program costs. This ensures you’re not funding a mystery pot but a well-documented, mission-driven initiative. Want receipts? Cougs 4 Kids has them, and they’re not afraid to share them. Want a voice? Cougs 4 Kids’ Alumni Advisory Board and Volunteer Committees give you the opportunity to ensure that you are seen and heard.
Cougar Cred: 17 Years of Proven Nonprofit Expertise
Cougs 4 Kids isn’t some start-up collective fumbling its way through the nonprofit world. They’re powered by Believe in Me, a seasoned nonprofit founded in 2006 and staffed by Cougs who live and breathe this stuff. With over 17 years of experience in nonprofit governance, they’ve mastered the art of transparency, accountability, and making every dollar count. This isn’t their first rodeo—or tailgate. Their track record proves the’re not just doing it right; they’re doing it the Cougar way.
The Financial Playbook: Nonprofit vs. the Alternative
I’m no tax professional, but let’s break down some hypothetical numbers to see how a $10,000 donation might fare in a nonprofit collective like Cougs 4 Kids when compared to the alternative.
*Assuming a 24% federal tax rate for the donor.
**Assuming a combined federal and state tax rate of 25% on the collective’s income.
In this hypothetical scenario, the nonprofit structure not only provides tax benefits to the donor but also ensures a higher percentage of the donation reaches the student-athlete. It is recommended that you talk to a professional tax advisor to see if making a donation to a nonprofit NIL is best for your situation.
Cougar Community Brewing Support at Indaba Coffee
Loyal Cougars are already stepping up to support this mission. Bobby Enslow, owner of Indaba Coffee Roasters and a proud WSU alumnus, hosted a First Friday event on January 3, 2025 at their new Monroe location in Spokane. With the help of five WSU student-athletes and Believe in Me employee, Paul Sorensen, the event raised over $2,000 in a single day, thanks to the generosity of Indaba patrons and a matching contribution from Traci Bemis, a dedicated Coug who believes in the cause (Grier, “A Community Blend”).
Join the Movement
It’s time to shift the narrative around NIL from skepticism to empowerment. By supporting Cougs 4 Kids, you’re not just donating money; you’re investing in the future of Coug Nation. Let’s turn our NIL and portal frustrations into growls of pride.
Get Involved
Here’s how you can join the cause at Cougs 4 Kids:
- Join the Alumni Advisory Board: Ensure donors and alumni have a voice in shaping the cause. Learn more and apply here.
- Become a Corporate Sponsor: Partner with us to support youth mentorship and leadership. Find out how to become a sponsor.
- Make an Individual Donation: Your contributions directly impact our programs. Donate now.
- Volunteer for the Cougs 4 Kids Summer Camp: Share your time and skills to empower youth. Sign up to volunteer.
Together, we can make a lasting impact on our community and the future of Cougar athletics.
Author: Julie Wukelic, MBA – CEO of Believe in Me
BIO:
Short Versioin:
Julie Wukelic is the CEO of Believe in Me, a Spokane-based nonprofit committed to empowering marginalized youth across the Inland Northwest. She holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees from WSU’s Carson College of Business. She remains involved with WSU through initiatives like Cougs 4 Kids and serves as a judge in the high school division of WSU’s Business Plan Competition, with Believe in Me sponsoring the event. She believes volunteering with WSU “reenergizes your soul and gives you purpose.” Her story is a testament to the impact WSU alumni can have when they support and inspire one another.
Want to Learn More? Check out the references from the article.
“About – Believe in Me.” Believe in Me, https://www.believeinme.org/about.
“Breaking: Iowa NIL Collective.” Off Tackle Empire, 30 Dec. 2024, https://www.offtackleempire.com/2024/12/30/24323957.
“Financial Transparency and Public Disclosure Requirements.” Council of Nonprofits, https://www.councilofnonprofits.org/running-nonprofit/ethics-accountability/financial-transparency-and-public-disclosure-requirements.
Grier, Anadia. “A Community Blend: Indaba and Traci Bemis Unite for Cougs4Kids.” Believeinme.news, 2 Jan. 2025, https://believeinme.news/indaba-cares-cougs4kids/.
“Making Charitable Contributions Work for Your Business.” Collective.com, Porter, https://www.collective.com/blog/tax-tips/charitable-contributions.
“Montlake Futures.” Montlake Futures, University of Washington,
“Nonprofit Ethics and Accountability: A Comprehensive Guide.” Expert Nonprofits, https://expertnonprofits.com/nonprofit-ethics-and-accountability-a-comprehensive-guide/.
Schaeffer, Jon. “College Sports NIL and the Transfer Portal.” The Athletic, 12 Dec. 2024, https://www.theathletic.com/nil-transfer-portal.
“Tax Deductibility of NIL Donations and Collectives Explained.” Accounting Insights, https://accountinginsights.org/tax-deductibility-of-nil-donations-and-collectives-explained/.”Transparency | Believe in Me.” Believe in Me, https://www.believeinme.org/transparency.
