All About Donations
Universities depends on donors who believe in the value of education but not all gifts are created equal. Before you decide where or how to give, it can help to understand how donations to higher education are structured. This page introduces ways you can give and specific kinds of gifts so that you can give with confidence and clarity.
Ways to Give
From a simple online transfer to complex assets, like real estate or an art collection, colleges and universities are equipped to handle a wide variety of giving mechanisms. However, not every institution accepts every kind of asset. They often have a gift acceptance policy that outlines what kinds of gifts they can receive and under what conditions. Donor-advised funds are a popular giving choice, as are legacy gifts, which allow the donor to be recognized for a pledged future gift.
Donors can also choose how their gift is paid, whether in a lump sum or in installments over a period of time. There are many ways to give, but the best way to give one type of gift, like a scholarship, may be very different than the best way to give another gift, like a lecture series.
To learn more, explore our Ways to Give page or contact the Fund for Academic Renewal to begin planning a gift that makes a lasting difference.
Types of Gifts
Just as institutions handle different types of assets, they also offer a variety of giving opportunities. Donors can support existing programs, such as academic departments, athletic programs, and scholarships, or create initiatives that fill unmet needs on campus. Institutions also have the financial infrastructure to support endowment gifts, where the funds come from investment income from a principle sum. The way a gift is structured matters as much as what it supports when it comes to protecting donor intent and ensuring long-term impact.
Donations to higher education have the power to shape the intellectual life of a university. Thoughtful giving, when aligned with your values and structured for long-term impact, can ensure that your contribution strengthens academic programs, preserves donor intent, and supports enduring excellence in teaching and scholarship.
To learn more, explore our Types of Gifts page or contact the Fund for Academic Renewal to begin planning a gift that makes a lasting difference.
Make Every Dollar Count
Giving to higher education is an opportunity to create lasting impact. With so many options, how do you ensure your gift aligns with your values and goals?
Download our Intelligent Donor’s Guide to navigate the complexities of college giving with confidence and strategy.
