- What is Orange Santa?
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Orange Santa is a holiday assistance program that was founded in 1994 by the UT Cares Committee. It is designed to support UT families in need of assistance during the holidays by providing gifts for their children. Orange Santa is sponsored by the Office of the President.
Prior to the pandemic, the Orange Santa Holiday Store provided an annual opportunity for participating faculty, staff and students to "shop" for gifts and children in their immediate families. The store was stocked with items contributed through a campus-wide donation drive and at special events.
Orange Santa transitioned to a completely virtual program in 2020, with applicants receiving a gift card for each child (17 and under) in their household. Orange Santa has maintained this model since then and will continue to do so in 2023, allowing families in need to purchase a gift unique to their children’s interests.
- How can I contribute to Orange Santa?
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Members of the UT Austin community can contribute to Orange Santa through the HornRaiser platform. Community members can give as much as they’d like––even $1 or $5 makes a difference toward the 2023 fundraising goal of $40,000.
You may also contribute by sending a check to:
University Events
PO Box S
Austin, TX, 78713
Checks should be made payable to “The University of Texas at Austin” and coded “Orange Santa” in the memo line. Please do not send cash through campus mail.
- When does fundraising for Orange Santa begin?
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The HornRaiser fundraising platform launches on November 1, 2023. Donations to Orange Santa will be accepted through the end of November.
- How can I apply to receive aid through Orange Santa?
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Click here to access the Orange Santa 2023 application.
Applications are completed online and are available in English and Spanish. Applicants must have a UT EID and password to apply online. If you have questions about your application, please contact OrangeSanta@austin.utexas.edu.
- How do I know if I’m eligible to receive aid through Orange Santa?
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Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- At the time of application, be current, regularly-appointed University employees or students.
- Applicants who participate in the UTemps and all other temporary employees are not eligible.
- An applicant must also have an ITIN or SSN on file. If your ITIN or SSN is not on file, you can report it using the Tax ID Self Reporting Tool at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/acct/tax/taxreport/index.WBX.
- One application per household is permitted.
- If both parents/guardians work for UT Austin, only one may apply for Orange Santa.
Applicants may request assistance for children who meet ALL of the following criteria:
- Minors (17 and under)
- Must reside with the applicant
- Applicant must have legal duties of care and financial responsibility (serve as legal guardian)
- Legal proof in the form of birth certificates or school records may be requested.
- Relatives and other children who do not fit these criteria are not eligible for assistance
- At the time of application, be current, regularly-appointed University employees or students.
- When does the application open? When does it close?
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Applications open on Wednesday, November 1. Applications close on Friday, November 17, at 5 p.m. CDT. Applications received after 5 p.m. CDT on November 17 will not be accepted.
- How will I know if my application was accepted?
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Applicants who have been accepted will receive notification via email. Applicants may also opt to receive updates via text message.
- My application was accepted. When can I pick up my gift card(s)?
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Part of the application process includes selecting a pick-up time. Please refer to the application for the available times. The email or text message confirming your approval will also include the pick-up time and location.
- I’m having trouble completing the application/have a question about my submitted application.
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Please contact the Orange Santa team at orangesanta@austin.utexas.edu.
- I’m a student, and my organization would like to volunteer for Orange Santa. How can we get involved?
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Student organizations are highly encouraged to work together and fundraise for Orange Santa. If every student at UT Austin gave $1, Orange Santa’s fundraising goal would be met!
If you or a member of your organization would like to serve as an Orange Santa Ambassador to raise donations this year, please contact OrangeSanta@austin.utexas.edu.
- I’m a faculty/staff member at UT, and my department would like to volunteer for Orange Santa. How can we get involved?
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Colleges, schools and units are highly encouraged to raise awareness of Orange Santa. Every year, eligible members of the community find out about this program after the application deadline has passed, and we’d love your help in sharing this opportunity with colleagues who may be eligible.
A way to accomplish this is to serve as an Orange Santa Ambassador. You’ll be equipped with assets to share with those in your network. Ambassadors also have the opportunity to fundraise for the program. To sign up to be an Orange Santa Ambassador, please click here.
- If I receive a gift card for my child, will I be required to pay taxes on the amount of the gift card?
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For tax purposes, providing a gift card is considered a form of payment that is treated as taxable income. University Employees may see the taxable amount of each gift card received deducted from a future paystub.
Benefits provided to students may need to be reported on tax form 1099-MISC. To allow the university to remain compliant with tax laws, distribution of the gift card(s) to approved students is conditional upon the student providing the requested information and verifying a federal tax ID number (SSN).