Online Giving - Frequently Asked QuestionsHow do I complete the online giving process? Why do I have to create a user account in order to make a gift? What should I do if I don’t see the program or department I want to support? Will I receive a printed receipt in the mail? Whom can I contact to get help? What does the ESU Foundation do with my personal information? Are online gifts to the ESU Foundation tax deductible? Who decides how gifts are used? What if I have additional questions? How do I complete the online giving process?Follow the “Make a Gift” link above to enter the secure site. Then select the area you wish to support. Fill in the amount of your donation, complete the personal information, and click “Submit.” Why do I have to create a user account in order to make a gift?Creating a user account allows you to sign in before making a gift. That way, we can match your gift to our database. Once a user account has been created, you may submit an online gift to the ESU Foundation, view your giving history and view personal information. You only have to create the account once. What should I do if I don’t see the program or department I want to support?Select the “Other” option on the online giving page and type in the fund or area you wish to support. If we have questions about your contribution we will contact you. Will I receive a printed receipt in the mail?Yes. Whom can I contact to get help?One of our gift processing staff members would be happy to assist you. Please contact our gift processing staff, Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. CST, at (620) 341-5440. Is it safe to give online?Making a gift online to ESU is secure and private. The ESU Foundation employs SSL (Secure Socket Layer) technology and 128-bit encryption to protect your personal information. What does the ESU Foundation do with my personal information?Your information will be used by the ESU Foundation to credit you correctly for your gift. Information contained in our records is used only for ESU- and ESU Foundation-related business. We do not sell personal information or use it for purposes other than the support of the university. Are online gifts to the ESU Foundation tax deductible?Yes, under most circumstances. The ESU Foundation is a 501(c)3 corporation, which authorizes us to give tax-deductible gift receipts for charitable gifts. Charitable gifts qualify for the maximum tax benefits under the Internal Revenue Code. However, if you receive a benefit for the gift - such as concert tickets - all or part of the gift may not be tax deductible. Please contact the ESU Foundation at (620) 341-5440 if you have questions about your gift. Who decides how gifts are used?You decide! When you make a gift, you determine how it will be used. Some donors also give to the Greatest Need or the Annual Fund, which provides flexible, unrestricted support. This allows the ESU Foundation to apply the donations to the areas of greatest need or opportunity. What if I have additional questions?Send an e-mail to Carol Cooper at ccooper@emporia.edu or call her at (620) 341-5440.
Ways to Give Back to top
The Black and Gold SocietyThe Black and Gold Society is a presidential membership organization designed for those who care deeply about the success of Emporia State University. Go to the society's web page to learn more. Annual giftsThe university depends on annual gifts to maintain the high quality learning experiences that we want our students to receive. Annual gifts come from a variety of sources, including direct mail, the annual phonathon and campus and community drives. Cash giftsA gift of outright cash is the easiest way to support ESU. Make your check payable to: Emporia State University Foundation, Inc., and mail to 1500 Highland, Emporia, KS 66801, or you may give online. Real propertyReal property such as a residence, farm, ranch, commercial property, or undeveloped land may be donated. These gifts may provide tax savings to the donor and the gift is available for use by the university immediately. Property may also be donated as a planned gift through an estate. Gifts in kindTangible assets such as works of art, books, equipment and furnishings may be donated. The allowable deduction for such gifts depends on related use and the appraised value. Per IRS guidelines, only gifts that support the ESU mission and programs are acceptable. Click here to download the ESU Foundation's gift-in-kind form. Print the form and mail it to the Foundation with all applicable documentation. Gifts of securitiesAppreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds entitle a donor to two income tax benefits: avoidance of capital gains and the use of the securities’ fair market value on the date of the gift for an income tax charitable deduction. Transfer instructions are available from the Foundation upon request. Contact Trisha at (620) 341-6472 or e-mail her. Corporate matching giftsMany corporations match gifts their employees make to charitable organizations. If your employer has a matching gift program, your gift to ESU may be expanded - in some cases doubled or tripled. Contact your company's personnel or human resources department for details and forms. A list or matching gift companies, provided by the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE) can be found on the Foundation website. Gifts of endowmentsEndowments offer donors an opportunity to ensure their gift lasts forever. The minimum amount needed to create an endowed fund at ESU is $10,000, which can be given at one time or extended over a five-year period. Opportunities exist to endow scholarships, departmental support, endowed chairs and professorships. An endowment will provide you or your family a permanent legacy for generations. Bequest in a will or living trustThe most common form of an estate gift is a bequest through a will or trust. It may be stated as a percentage of the estate or for a specific dollar amount. An example of simple language that could be used is: I give to Emporia State University Foundation Inc.,1500 Highland, Emporia, KS 66801, the sum of $____________; or ____% of my estate to provide support for Emporia State University. If you wish to designate your gift for a specific purpose, please contact a development officer at the Foundation, (620) 341-5440. Donor-advised fundsA donor-advised fund can be created through your will or trust, allocating a specific amount or percentage of your estate to be left to the Foundation. An endowment is then established in your family’s name. The Foundation will annually distribute dollars to a list of non-profit organizations you select. Donor-advised funds can also be established for charitable giving during your lifetime. Charitable gift annuityA charitable gift annuity is a contract between the Foundation and donor in which the donor transfers assets to the Foundation in exchange for a promise to pay him/her an annuity. In return for the gift, donors receive an immediate tax deduction and a fixed income on a regular basis for life. Deferred gift annuityA deferred gift annuity is a valuable tool for retirement that includes an immediate charitable tax deduction. Donors make a current gift to the ESU Foundation, but defer receipt of the income until a pre-selected date. Charitable lead trustA charitable lead trust provides an income to the ESU Foundation for a term of years. The remainder interest at the end of the term provides a tax-reduced transfer to the donor or to family members. Charitable remainder annuity trustAn annuity trust pays a fixed amount which does not vary from year to year. The amount is established when the trust is created. Charitable remainder unitrustThe unitrust is used to make a life income gift that specifies a percentage of payout to a specified recipient. The income recipient receives regular income payments, equal to the percentage of the trust assets as revalued each year. Life insuranceA donor can contribute a "paid up" life insurance policy to the Foundation and receive an income tax deduction. Or, name the Foundation as the primary beneficiary, resulting in an estate tax savings, but no income tax deduction. Or, the donor can name the Foundation as owner and beneficiary of a policy and receive an income tax deduction for the amount of the premiums paid. Retained life estateA donor may transfer a personal residence or a farm to the Foundation, while retaining the right to live there for life. Donor receives a charitable income tax deduction for a portion of the appraised market value at the time of the transfer and escapes capital gains tax on the appreciation. The estate will be entitled to a charitable tax deduction. Retirement accountsRetirement plans are a tax-effective way to make a charitable gift. The account or a percentage of the account can be passed directly to the Foundation as a primary beneficiary. Or, it can be transferred to a deferred giving arrangement that will pay an income for life to a family member, with the remaining assets in the account passing on to ESU. Payroll deductionESU faculty and staff may support the fund of their choice automatically through payroll deduction. Just $10 a pay period yields a $260 gift in one year! Download a payroll deduction form here, and send it to the Foundation. |
|||||
Last Updated January 25, 2008