NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Vanderbilt Athletics and Anchor Impact today announced an enhanced partnership to reward Name, Image and Likeness (NIL) donors. Supporters who contribute directly to Anchor Impact, the official third-party collective of Vanderbilt Athletics, will now receive exclusive National Commodore Club benefits.
“Collaboration is a core value at Vanderbilt, and enhancing our partnership with Anchor Impact helps us better serve our student-athletes and supporters,” said Candice Storey Lee, vice chancellor for athletics and university affairs and athletic director. “Competitive NIL opportunities are consistent with our desire to set the standard for the student-athlete experience across our entire portfolio. Everybody has a role to play in leading the way in this new era of college athletics. Ensuring Anchor Impact supporters feel fully a part of Commodore Nation only makes us stronger.”
The reimagined combined benefits complement Anchor Impact’s existing benefits for members and contributors. Depending on support level, Anchor Impact’s benefits range from window decals, apparel and player video “shout-outs” to exclusive VIP experiences.
The new opportunities available through the enhanced partnership include:
NCC Membership and Priority Points
- Contributions made directly to Anchor Impact will be credited with National Commodore Club priority points and will count towards the overall NCC membership level and associated benefits.
- Donors contributing directly to Anchor Impact will receive three priority points for every $100 donated.
- Priority Points are updated bi-weekly and are used to determine any season ticket upgrades, away game and postseason tickets, and other National Commodore Club benefits. View your priority points and approximate NCC ranking.
- The NCC membership year runs from July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2025. To ensure you are a current NCC member, please make sure you have donated or made a pledge to Vanderbilt Athletics or Anchor Impact within the current membership year.
NIL Leadership Circle
- Supporters contributing $10,000-$49,999 to NIL through Anchor Impact will be recognized in the NIL Leadership Circle. These supporters receive additional benefits through the National Commodore Club, including exclusive merchandise and invitations to member-only events.
McGugin Society
- Donors contributing $50,000 or more to NIL through Anchor Impact will receive full membership in the McGugin Society, the leadership giving society of the National Commodore Club created to recognize Vanderbilt’s most generous athletics donors.
- As the NCC’s premier membership level, McGugin Society members gain access to exclusive experiences, Vanderbilt gear, ticketing and seating benefits, invitations to special events, access to game day hospitality spaces and more.
Name, Image, and Likeness has become an essential component in college athletics, and consequently has emerged as a top fundraising priority for Vanderbilt Athletics.
To support Anchor Impact, please consider making a donation of any size.
“By rewarding our members and contributors with exclusive National Commodore Club benefits, we make clear that we are united across all fronts in our commitment to uplifting Vanderbilt student-athletes and helping Vanderbilt teams shine on the national stage by recruiting and retaining the best and brightest,” said Anchor Impact Executive Director Paul Grindstaff. “NCC benefits will serve to complement Anchor Impact’s reimagined NIL donor benefit tiers, which are coming soon.”
“I’m excited to further strengthen our partnership with Paul and Anchor Impact,” said Mark Carter, National Commodore Club executive director. “The National Commodore Club is a proven winner when it comes to recognizing, unifying and rewarding Vanderbilt’s most generous and loyal supporters. Helping passionate NIL donors access these same benefits and membership levels will supercharge Anchor Impact’s efforts to lead the way in this critical new space.”
Anchor Impact is the official collective supporting Vanderbilt student-athletes and provides student-athletes resources and opportunities to benefit from their name, image and likeness. Anchor Impact is a third-party organization and operates independently of Vanderbilt University.
To learn more about Anchor Impact’s efforts and to get involved, please visit Anchor Impact or email Paul Grindstaff at paul@anchorimpact.com.
