Tiger Athletic Foundation
The Tiger Athletic Foundation (TAF) is a private, non-profit corporation dedicated to supporting Louisiana State University (LSU) and its athletics program. It is the primary source of private funding for LSU athletics and contributions to TAF benefit every athlete and every team at LSU. TAF has become a critical element in the success of LSU Athletics by providing private funding for scholarships, academic rewards, new athletic facilities and facility upgrades. In addition to contributions to the athletic scholarship fund, TAF will continue to provide funding for academic programs and facilities that benefit all LSU students. Scholarships . In an effort to permanently fund LSU athletic scholarships in each sport, TAF offers the opportunity to support the Foundation of Champions scholarship endowment program. The purpose of this program will be to provide a continuing source of financial support for athletic scholarships through a general scholarship endowment fund. The interest generated from the endowed scholarship will be used to offset the scholarship costs for current student-athletes. The Tiger Pride Annual Athletic Scholarship Fund provides financial support to fund scholarships for LSU student-athletes through a general scholarship fund. Funds raised help offset the costs for tuition, fees, books , and room and board for LSU student-athletes. TAF member priority points policy. The LSU priority point policy is a system developed and used by TAF and the LSU athletics department to allocate select tickets and parking passes based on contributions to LSU and other affiliated organizations (TAF, the LSU Foundation and the LSU Alumni Association). Season ticket assignments and upgrades, parking pass assignments and away, postseason and bowl game ticket assignment are based on this system. Governing board. The Tiger Athletic Foundation is administered by its own board of directors, composed of TAF donors, which meets quarterly. Officers of  the corporation are elected bi-annually. LSU fundraising history. In 1978 the Varsity Club was formed as a division within the LSU Athletic Department to assist in raising private funds to support the LSU Athletic Program. In 1983 the Varsity Club was replaced by TAF's predecessor, “Tigers Unlimited,” a Louisiana nonprofit corporation. Tigers Unlimited was granted 501(c)(3) status in 1984, and in 1987 Tigers Unlimited reorganized and amended its Articles of Incorporation to formally change its name to Tiger Athletic Foundation. Prominent Baton Rouge businessman, LSU donor and Tiger Athletic Foundation founder Richard Lipsey started the Tiger Athletic Foundation  (TAF) in 1987 as a fundraising arm of LSU's athletic department