GOT QUESTIONS?
We've got answers.
Everything you need to know about The Shared Field — whether you're an alumni ready to give back or a student who needs support.
GIVING & DONATIONS
Is my donation tax-deductible?
The Shared Field is in the process of obtaining 501(c)(3) nonprofit status. Once approved, all donations will be fully tax-deductible. We will notify all donors as soon as our status is confirmed. In the meantime, we appreciate your support as a founding donor.
How do I know my money is being used properly?
Full transparency is a core promise of The Shared Field. When you're matched with a student, you'll be told exactly what your contribution covers — and after it's delivered, we'll confirm it with you directly. Every dollar goes to a specific, verified need. No overhead. No mystery.
Can I choose who I support?
You can set preferences — sport, type of need, giving amount — and we'll match you accordingly. You won't pick a specific student by name, but your preferences guide the match. If the match isn't right, we'll work with you until it is.
Can I give anonymously?
Absolutely. If you'd prefer your gift to remain anonymous, just let us know when you enroll. The student will know someone gave back for them — they just won't know who. The impact is the same either way.
What if I want to donate gear instead of money?
We love this. Equipment donations are absolutely welcome. When you enroll, select "Donate equipment/gear" as your giving type and tell us what you have. We'll match it to a student who needs exactly that. Reach out to morgan@thesharedfield.org to coordinate.
What if I want to give more than one student needs?
Any surplus from your gift is held in the program fund and applied to the next matched student — with your knowledge and approval. We'll never redirect your money without telling you first. You can also choose to support multiple students across one or more seasons.
THE PROCESS
How does the matching process work?
After you enroll and a student application is approved, we find the best match based on sport preference, type of support, and giving amount. We notify you with the student's details and confirm before anything is processed. You always have the final say.
How long does it take to get matched?
It depends on the volume of student applications at the time you enroll. We'll keep you updated either way. If a match isn't immediate, we'll check in with you regularly so you're never left wondering.
Will I hear from the student I support?
With the student's permission, we'll share a brief update after their support is delivered. Some students also write a personal note to their donor as part of the application — if they did, we'll pass that along. We never share personal contact information without consent from both parties.
Can I give every season?
Yes — and we'd love that. Recurring donors are the backbone of The Shared Field. When you enroll you can indicate whether you'd like to give once or on an ongoing basis. Either way, you're always in control of when and how much.
PRIVACY & CONFIDENTIALITY
Is this confidential? Will anyone at school know I applied?
Yes — completely confidential. Your application is only seen by Morgan at The Shared Field and your coach, who is contacted only to confirm you're on the team and that the need is genuine. Your application is never shared with school administration, other students, or anyone else without your explicit permission.
Will my coach know the details of my application?
Your coach will be contacted to verify two things only: that you're on their team, and that to the best of their knowledge, the financial need you've described is real. We don't share your full application with them. Think of it as a simple confirmation — not an approval process.
Will the alumni donor know who I am?
Only with your permission. We share your first name and sport with the donor — nothing more — unless you choose to write them a personal note, which is optional. We never share your contact details, last name, or full situation without your explicit consent.
APPLYING FOR SUPPORT
Do I have to prove my financial situation?
No income documents, tax returns, or financial proof is required. We ask you to describe your situation honestly — and we trust you. Coach verification is the only external check. We'd rather help someone who didn't need it than turn away someone who did.
What can The Shared Field help cover?
Equipment and gear, participation fees, uniforms and apparel, travel and transportation, tournament entry fees, and recruiting or exposure events. If you're not sure whether your need qualifies, apply anyway and we'll figure it out together.
How long does it take to hear back?
You'll receive an acknowledgment within 24 hours of submitting. From there, we contact your coach within 3–5 business days. Once verified, Morgan reviews your application and you'll hear a decision within 5 business days of verification. If you have a hard deadline, note it in your application — we prioritize urgent cases.
What if my coach doesn't respond?
We'll follow up with your coach once if we don't hear back. If they still don't respond, we'll reach out to you directly to figure out next steps together. We won't let an unresponsive coach be the reason you miss out — we'll find a way to get the verification we need.
Can I apply more than once?
Yes. You can apply each season if you have ongoing need. If you were declined previously, you're welcome to reapply — circumstances change and so does our capacity to help. We never hold a previous application against you.
What if I need more than one donor can give?
We'll do our best to cover what's possible with the donors we have available. We may be able to combine support from multiple donors for a single need, or prioritize the most urgent part of your request first. Be specific in your application about what matters most — that helps us help you better.
Still have questions?
Reach out to Morgan directly. Every message gets a personal response — no bots, no forms, no runaround.
REACH OUT →