FAQ

A charitable organization that awards stipends to student athletes at James Madison University that volunteer with local charities as part of a contract with the Collective. The student athletes will learn the importance of being actively engaged with their local communities as they serve local 501(c)(3) charitable institutions.

By letter dated March 31, 2023, the Internal Revenue Service determined that the Montpelier Collective is a public charity, is exempt from federal income tax under Internal Revenue Code Section 501(c)(3) and that donors can deduct contributions they make to the Collective under Internal Revenue Code Section 170. Donors should nevertheless seek advice from a qualified tax professional and should be aware of an internal memorandum issued on May 23, 2023, within the IRS by its Office of Chief Counsel addressing NIL Collectives and their exempt status. https://www.irs.gov/pub/lanoa/am-2023-004.pdf

The Duke Club is the fundraising arm of JMU Athletics. The Duke Club raises money for student athlete scholarships and to support the athletic budget. The Collective is a charitable organization that contracts with student athletes to provide a stipend to them for performing volunteer work for local charities.

Yes, donations made on or after July 1, 2024, to the Montpelier Collective qualify for Duke Club priority points. This change aligns with Virginia's updated NIL legislation and JMU Athletics' launch of the Honors1 program. We are actively working with JMU Athletics and the Duke Club on the reporting process to ensure accurate tracking of these contributions.

The Montpelier Collective Board of Directors feels strongly that donating to JMU Athletics through the Duke Club should be a donor or fan’s first priority and the Collective should be considered an additional donation that is over and above anything given to JMU Athletics. No gifts to JMU Athletics should be reduced to make a gift to the Montpelier Collective.

Our current partners are the United Way, Red Cross, Blue Ridge Area Food Bank, Kerus Global Education. We are always looking to support additional organizations, if you are interested in partnering with the Montpelier Collective please contact us!

Your support is instrumental in advancing the mission of the Montpelier Collective. There are various avenues to contribute and make a difference. Consider making a financial donation, which directly aids our student-athletes and partner charities. Businesses can step in as corporate sponsors, amplifying our initiatives while gaining visibility in the community. Volunteering your time or expertise is another impactful way, as we always welcome hands-on assistance and professional guidance. Lastly, simply spreading the word about our cause within your networks can have a ripple effect, building awareness and encouraging more individuals and organizations to join hands with us. Every gesture, big or small, propels us further in our commitment to community enrichment and student-athlete empowerment.

Based on which sports are donated to, the Montpelier Collective Board decides which student athletes to partner with when providing a contract.

Donors to the Montpelier Collective can direct their donation to any of JMU’s fully supported sports. The Montpelier Board of Directors will decide which student athletes within that sport receive a contract.

The goal is for all Montpelier Collective revenue to be used for stipends that result in direct volunteer efforts to local charities, except for administrative expenses which will not exceed 10% of that revenue.

The Montpelier Collective is not officially affiliated with JMU Athletics. The Collective is an independently run corporation acknowledged by JMU Athletics and will operate within NCAA and Sun Belt rules and regulations and in compliance with Virginia law to enhance opportunities for JMU student-athletes. The Collective's moniker derives from the nearby Virginia home of James Madison, one of this nation’s Founding Fathers and the fourth president of the United States.