Board of Directors

Giving

Giving Facts

Foundation

Reasons to Give

Private support involves gifts and grants given to the University by people - alumni and friends - and institutions - corporations, foundations and organizations - who are committed to helping UMass Dartmouth fulfill its mission. Motivations for giving are often varied and all are important. Many individuals view their support as a means of accomplishing personal goals, supporting values and beliefs. Some give simply because they view their support as a good investment. Others value the knowledge and experiences they have received at their alma mater and desire to ensure the same for future generations of students. Perhaps your motivation is to:

• remember someone you love or respect - by naming a scholarship, a professorship, a lectureship - even a building.
• maintain an interest or affinity in a particular program you want to see grow and succeed.
• demonstrate your leadership and your support for higher education.
• support your financial or estate planning through philanthropic tax advantages.

Whether you want to make a difference-for a student, a professor, a department, a program - or challenge others to give, you can show your gratitude for your UMass Dartmouth experience through a gift. All gifts are valuable because they help us remain among the best public universities in the nation providing the highest quality education. Each year our alumni and friends provide contributions to support areas of crucial need, such as student scholarships, faculty research, curriculum development, and library acquisitions. This support reflects a significant commitment to UMass Dartmouth's work and confidence in the University's capacity to make a difference.

Give because you have benefited from your UMass Dartmouth experience and you want future students to have the same opportunity - small classes, great faculty, and meaningful conversations both inside and outside the classroom. Give because gifts from alumni and friends ensure that important services like the library, the Health Center, the William Q. MacLean Campus Center, and the language and computer labs are available to current and future students.

Ways to Give

Alumni and friends of UMass Dartmouth who wish to make a contribution are encouraged to consider the following donor options:

Cash
Many of the gifts received by the UMass Dartmouth Foundation are in the form of cash-usually by check. Increasingly, some alumni and friends have chosen to make their gifts to the Annual Fund using a major credit card. This allows the donor to take advantage of any benefits awarded by the credit card company such as frequent flyer miles, bonus points, etc. Both types of gifts are simple to make and are immediately available for use by the University.

Pledges
Pledges enable a donor to plan a personal giving program that is both convenient and tax wise. A pledge may enable a donor to consider a more significant gift than would have been otherwise possible. Terms for payment on pledges are flexible and at the option of the donor.

Securities
Securities may be made as outright gifts, or as a payment on a pledge. Stock certificates may be reassigned to UMass Dartmouth or may be transferred through the donor's broker. The mean market value on the date of the transfer will determine the value of the gift for tax purposes. Gifts of appreciated securities may be tax deductible, up to 30% of your adjusted gross income. The deduction is based on the full fair market value, and capital gains tax is not due when the stock is transferred to UMass Dartmouth. It is best to consult with the Foundation Office at 508-999-8200 before making a transaction.

Planned Gifts
In certain instances, it may be preferable from an estate, financial, and tax-planning perspective to consider long-term planned giving as the best way to make a gift. This can be accomplished through various gift instruments, such as charitable remainder trusts, gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, and bequests. For more information on planned giving please contact the Foundation Office at 508-999-8200.

Gifts-in-Kind
These donations to the UMass Dartmouth Foundation are not direct, monetary contributions; they may consist of real estate and other assets including antiques, paintings, rare books, and equipment. Gifts-in-kind may offer particular tax advantages, depending upon the circumstances of the donor. We suggest that the donor consult with professional counsel for advice on such gifts.

Honor or Memorial Gifts
Family or friends can make these gifts to benefit UMass Dartmouth and honor campus community members or loved ones in a special way.

Matching Gifts
Please check with your Human Resource Office for eligibility requirements.

More Reasons to Give

Campanil-e
UMass Dartmouth Sets Fundraising Record in FY05

Have a Question about Making a Gift to UMass Dartmouth?

Please e-mail our Executive Director, Jeffrey A. Wolfman, at JWolfman@umassd.edu or call 508-999-8396