Current gifts can include gifts of cash, credit card charges, appreciated securities (shares of stock or mutual funds), or other property. Current gifts provide immediate financial assistance for either unrestricted or restricted purposes.

A pledge is a formal Declaration of Intent to make a gift to the campaign. It may be followed by an immediate gift, or it may confirm your intention to make a gift in the future. You may choose to complete your pledge by making regular payments over a period of time, which allows you to maximize your contribution to the campaign.

Gifts may be made in honor or memory of a loved one, friend or colleague, or business, or to commemorate a special occasion. Consult the Named Giving Opportunities brochure for more information.

An endowment is a fund that is permanently invested. Only the annual income generated from the investment is used for an unrestricted or restricted purpose. Establishing an endowment is the best way to have a permanent impact on the future of the institution and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.

Planned gifts are arrangements that usually require the assistance of a professional advisor to determine the specific tax advantages for you, your family members, and/or your estate. A planned gift maximizes your giving potential and can even allow you to ensure your future financial security or that of a loved one. If you are interested in a planned gift, please contact the Campaign Office for assistance.


A cash gift is usually made by a personal or business check or currency. Your income tax deduction is for the full amount of your gift, assuming no goods and/or services are received in return for the gift.

More than 1,400 businesses nationwide match the contributions of their employees. Check with your employer to determine if your gift can be matched on a 1:1 ratio or more and to obtain the proper forms to direct their matching gift to the Campaign Office in your name.

A gift of long-term appreciated securities has two major advantages: (1) it provides you with an immediate income tax deduction and (2) eliminates capital gains taxes to the extent allowed by tax law.

You may receive a current income tax deduction and eliminate capital gains taxes for the fair market value of closely-held stock, if valued over $10,000, or at the per-share cash purchase price if valued at $10,000 or less.

You may give a residence, land, or other real property as an outright gift-in-kind. The value of the donation is determined by an appraisal of the fair market value at the time of the transfer of ownership. In some cases, you may wish to donate property in which you retain an interest. A gift of a remainder interest in a personal residence or farm provides you with a current income tax deduction for the present value of the remainder interest and also permits you to eliminate capital gains taxes on the appreciation. Donations of personal property such as equipment, books, art, and jewelry, may also be contributed under special guidelines established by the IRS.

The gift of life insurance provides you with a charitable contribution for the present cash surrender value. Also, future premium payments made following the transfer of ownership and beneficiary status of the policy are also tax-deductible.

A provision in a Will allows for a substantial contribution without diminishing assets during your lifetime. Since bequests are deductible from the estate, significant tax savings are possible. The Campaign Office can provide you with sample wording to include in your Will.

A charitable gift annuity is actually part gift and part purchase of an irrevocable lifetime annuity contract. The portion that represents a gift to the Campaign is deductible on your federal income tax return if you itemize your deductions. The size of the deduction is determined by the age of the annuitant, the amount of the gift, and a monthly interest rate factor provided by the IRS.

A charitable lead trust allows you to place in trust assets that will be left to your heirs. In making your commitment to the campaign, you specify a set number of years during which a guaranteed amount or a fixed percentage of the value of the assets in the trust will be paid to us. You pay a discounted gift tax when transferring assets to the trust, and the trust's beneficiaries ultimately receive any remaining trust assets free of estate taxes.

A CRT is an irrevocable, tax-exempt trust in which you place assets to provide income for yourself during a specific period of time (i.e., your lifetime or a period not to exceed 20 years). After that, the remaining assets are distributed to us as a charitable gift to be used unrestricted or for the restricted purpose you designate. The trust can be funded with an assortment of assets, including bonds, mutual funds, stocks, and real estate. There are no capital gains taxes on assets transferred to and sold through a charitable trust. It also has the potential to generate substantial income while at the same time creating an income tax deduction.

Generally, the following types of contributions will not be counted in the Fulfilling the Promise Campaign:

• Sponsored project funds or grants
• The value of contributed time or services
• Appraisal fees
• Contributions for which the donor receives a benefit
• Tuition payments or other scholarship awards made to students selected by the donor