Giving Societies
Supporting ECU
Through ECU’s giving societies, we proudly recognize the generous support of alumni and friends who strengthen the university’s resiliency and advance our goals of student success, regional transformation and public service.
“I support ECU through philanthropy because it shaped who I am today, both personally and professionally. Giving back isn’t just about money—it’s about sharing time, talent, and treasure to create opportunities for future generations. Alumni have a crucial role in ensuring students get the support and resources they need to thrive. By giving back, we help future leaders gain the same opportunities that propelled our careers. ECU students need our help, and together, we can make a life-changing difference.”
Stephanie Bond ’02
ECU Foundation Board
Prestigious Pirates
ECU’s five giving societies uniquely recognize members of the Pirate family who generously advance the University’s mission through cumulative giving, planned gifts, and annual contributions.
Faces of Pirate Nation
Pirates possess determination and grit – and as you’ll find in these images, they also show generosity and fortitude. Check out some photos of ECU’s outstanding benefactors and exceptional students!
ECU Views
Near or Far – once you are a Pirate, you’re a Pirate for LIFE. Here we share with you exciting videos of campus views, tours of exceptional facilities, and outstanding content created in our many colleges and programs. All of this is made possible thanks to philanthropy. Thank you Pirates!
Our Societies
Circle of Gold
As the university’s premier leadership society, the Circle of Gold recognizes ECU’s most generous lifetime donors, including individuals, businesses and foundations who have made cumulative gifts or irrevocable planned gifts of $1 million or more to the university. Recognition in the Circle of Gold is based on combined gift totals to the ECU Foundation, the ECU Health Foundation, and the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club). The Circle of Gold was established in 2022, during the Pursue Gold campaign. Symbolizing infinity with its timeless form, the circle embodies a boundless commitment to the university’s mission. Circle of Gold members have established a philanthropic relationship with ECU that is truly worth its weight in gold.
Order of the Cupola
The Order of the Cupola is a distinguished society that recognizes ECU’s major lifetime donors, including individuals, businesses and foundations, who have made cumulative gifts or irrevocable planned gifts of $100,000 to $999,999 to the university. Membership in the society is based on combined gift totals to the ECU Foundation, the ECU Health Foundation, and the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club). Its name is taken from the campus’ most historic landmark, the Old Austin Cupola. In 1996, a replica of the cupola was erected in the center of Main Campus as a symbol of the university’s commitment to its traditions and to future progress.
Chancellor’s Society
The Chancellor’s Society recognizes the generosity of donors who make annual gifts of $1,000 or more to support ECU’s academic programs. Membership in the society is based on annual gifts from individuals, businesses and foundations during ECU’s fiscal year – July 1 to June 30 – to the ECU Foundation and the ECU Health Foundation. Chancellor’s Society-level gifts are essential to producing an exceptional education and go a long way to enhance the student experience and provide the tools our faculty need.
Doubloon Circle
As the university’s annual giving loyalty recognition society, the Doubloon Circle honors the generosity of donors who provide consistent support for ECU’s academic programs. Membership in the society is based on annual gifts from individuals during ECU’s fiscal year – July 1 to June 30. Recognition in the society begins in members’ second year of giving for consistency in annual gifts to the ECU Foundation and the ECU Health Foundation.
Leo W. Jenkins Society
The role Leo W. Jenkins played was pivotal in the history of ECU, and his legacy has remained critical to the growth the university has since experienced. The Leo W. Jenkins Society recognizes donors whose generosity through various forms of planned gifts displays solidarity with Chancellor Jenkins’ legacy. Membership in the society is bestowed upon individuals or households who have included ECU, the ECU Foundation, the ECU Health Foundation, and/or the ECU Educational Foundation (Pirate Club) in their estate plans through a bequest provision in their will or living trust, or by naming the university as a beneficiary of a planned-giving arrangement, life insurance policy or pension plan.