The Blue and Gold Collective launched Pitching Change, a new initiative designed to help maximize NIL opportunities for Kent State student-athletes
3/24/2025 4:38:00 PM | General, Name, Image and Likeness
KENT, Ohio – The Blue and Gold Collective, the Official Collective of Kent State University Athletics, announced the launch of the Pitching Change program, a new initiative designed to help maximize name, image, and likeness (NIL) opportunities for Kent State student-athletes. This innovative program allows Kent State supporters to round up their purchases and gain cash back at over 15,000 participating businesses, with the proceeds going directly to benefit the Blue and Gold Collective and Kent State Student-Athletes.
"We appreciate the support from our Kent State University community, including alumni, parents, and fans, and Pitching Changes offers another opportunity to make an impact," said Kent State's Vice President and Director of Athletics Randale L. Richmond. "Every purchase made and cashback from over 15,000 participating merchants helps strengthen our athletic programs and provides a competitive advantage. Your contribution adds to our ability to retain student-athletes, which aligns with KSU's mission to graduate student-athletes, boldly prepared for life after sports, and win championships."
The Pitching Change program is secure and easy to use. Supporters use the code BT05013 when signing up to round up their Visa or Master Card transactions to the nearest dollar, with the difference being donated to the Blue and Gold Collective. This effortless giving method ensures that even small contributions can accumulate to make a significant impact.
With future revenue share opportunities available for student-athletes, the funds raised through Pitching Change will play a crucial role in ensuring that Kent State athletics has a competitive advantage to retain and recruit for its athletic teams.
"We believe that every cent counts when it comes to supporting our student-athletes, and the process of signing up is super easy," said Deputy AD/SWA Suzette McQueen. "This program not only provides much-needed funds but also engages our community in a meaningful way. Together, we can make a big difference."
Join us in supporting the Blue and Gold Collective and Kent State student-athletes by signing up for the Pitching Change program today.
For more information and to get started, visit https://brandtek.com/pages/pitching-change-blue-gold-collective.
Thank you for your generosity and being part of the Kent State family. Together, we can help our Golden Flashes soar to new heights.
Follow the Blue and Gold Collective on X, Instagram, and Facebook for news and updates.
FAQ
How do I know my Credit Card information is secure?
All enrolled cards in Loose Change are tokenized and held in a PCI (Payment Card Industry) Level 1 compliant vault as required by Visa and Mastercard security standards. All cards are encrypted upon enrollment so that the details of those cards are anonymized and non-identifiable.
Which types of credit cards are eligible for registration?
Any United States Visa or Mastercard can be enrolled into the Loose Change program.
How does rounding work to support my cause?
Your purchase will round up to the nearest dollar amount that you select. For example, when you round to $1, your coffee purchase of $1.70 would be a $0.30 round up to $2. If you had selected round to $5 your purchase would have rounded up $3.30 to $5.
How are my rounded donations charged?
Your rounded donations are accumulated over the month. At the end of each month, a single charge reflecting the total ofyour rounded-up donations is made to your registered card. This makes tracking your contributions easy and straightforward.
How can I change my monthly donation goal?
You can change your monthly donation goal by going to the Settings Page. The amount can be changed at any time.
Will my rounding donation stop if I meet my monthly goal?
No, your donation will be the total of all the actual rounded transactions in a month regardless of your goal setting. Setting your goal allows us to notify you of your progress towards your giving goals.
Can I pause my rounding at any time?
You can pause, resume, and adjust your roundup settings anytime via the Loose Change dashboard. Just login, visit the Settings page, and toggle registered cards "on" or "off." Any rounded transactions completed before unenrollment will be processed at the end of the month you unenrolled.
What are Cash Back offers?
When you make purchases with your registered card at participating merchants, any qualified and earned cash backrewards on your purchase amount are automatically credited back to your monthly donation total, at no cost to you. Thismeans that you can unlock more funds to further your impact for your cause.
Can I turn off notifications?
Just go to the profile page and find text notifications. Toggle the switch beside your phone number to the left to turn off. You're welcome to turn them back on whenever you choose.
Will registration with Loose Change interrupt my card's existing loyalty benefits?
No, any existing rewards or benefits (like cashback, points, or perks) through your existing credit card agreement are notimpacted by enrollment in Loose Change.
Will I be charged any fees?
No, there are no additional fees charged to you for using the Loose Change program. However, standard card processing fees as per your card agreement may still apply.
