With the current pandemic and social climate, there is a call on student-athletes to use their platform to raise awareness and funds. And as groups like Athletes for Change. There are some rules that you should be aware of to maintain your eligibility.
One: Money raised must go directly to a charity.
Two: You may set up a GoFundMe or other crowdfunding page to raise money for a specific charity
Three: It is not permissible to raise money via a personal Venmo account, even if you donate all of the money raised to a charity after the fact.
Four: You will need to complete the Promotional Activity Request form in ARMS found under the Workflow Launchpad before fundraising.
So while it is amazing that student-athletes are stepping up to the plate to do their part, it is important to follow these guidelines. And if you are worried, reach out to your university's compliance office. You can never be too safe. Keep up the good work, everyone; we are making progress.
* Originally published on April 1, 2021, by Janice Shin