There are many ways to give to WSU
WSU invites you to join with others to help ensure access, affordability, and excellence for our students. Your interest and financial support impact student success, faculty quality, and the University’s vital place in the community. At the same time, you are part of a growing culture of philanthropy among the University’s alumni and friends. Your giving may take many forms and support multiple objectives. The amount and designation of your gift adds value to WSU.
Outright Gifts
Cash
Restricted and unrestricted gifts made by cash, check, or credit card are the most common and simplest for donors and WSU. Generally tax-deductible in the year in which it is made, your cash gift can be put to work immediately. You may make your gift through any of the following ways:
- online by clicking here,
- downloading our gift form and mailing it to Worcester State Foundation, ATTN: Development Office, 486 Chandler Street, Worcester, MA 01602, or
- calling 1-888-WSC-ALUM
Appreciated Securities
Charitable contributions of stocks, bonds, and other appreciated securities may provide you a maximum tax benefit. Typically deductible at the market value on the date gifted, your contribution of securities allows you to avoid capital gains tax on any appreciation.
Gifts from Donor Advised Funds and Family Foundations
Increasing numbers of donors are finding that donor advised funds and foundations provide flexibility for their overall philanthropic activities.
Real Estate or Tangible Personal Property
Gifts of property made without restriction as to resale are generally accepted by WSU. Under tax laws, gifts of real and tangible property (including jewelry, art, antiques, gold, historical documents and equipment) deemed acceptable by the University and the Worcester State Foundation receive fair market value. The donor is responsible for securing a qualified appraisal for all gifts of real estate and tangible personal property. State, federal, and IRS regulations apply.
Matching Gifts
Many public and private companies match their employees’ contributions to higher education. You might double or even triple the value of your gift to WSU. To release these funds, you must initiate a process with your or your spouse’s employer.
Planned, Deferred, and Combination Gifts
Planned, deferred, and combination gifts offer donors excellent options to make major gifts while retaining some income from assets. Most of the previously mentioned ways of giving can also fund a charitable trust which retains income for a period of time (usually lifetime), after which the Worcester State Foundation may receive the assets. In some cases, a gift may be a combination of an outright gift and a trust to return income to the donor for a period of time. For more information about your planned giving options, please visit our planned giving website, or contact Vice President of Institutional Advancement, Tom McNamara at tmcnamara@worcester.edu or (508) 929-8033.
Charitable Lead Trust
This trust arrangement has become a popular generation-skipping trust, and uses the tax status of the Worcester State Foundation to accomplish an important objective. A donor may place assets into a trust for 10 years or more with the income immediately benefiting the University. At the end of the set period of time, the assets are passed on to the donor’s designated heir (or heirs), avoiding further estate taxes. Depending upon the asset used to create the trust, the trust may well have increased in value, which is taxed again at its transfer.
Income Producing Charitable Gifts
Often funded with cash or stock, a life income or deferred gift can supplement a current gift, enabling a donor to make a more significant contribution to WSU than might be possible through a simple, outright gift. In general, these gifts will provide a donor and/or spouse with income for life; then the gift principal reverts to WSU. The donor receives an immediate income tax charitable deduction, while helping to secure WSU’s future. Two popular vehicles for income producing charitable gifts are Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Remainder Trusts.
Remainder Interest in Personal Residence
This can be a vacation home or a principal residence. You may continue to live in the property after giving it to the University and still claim an income tax deduction equal to the present value of the interest given away.
Bequest
In addition to being the most common form of planned giving, a bequest to WSU helps to insure the future of the University without affecting your current personal finances. Donors have many options in determining how to leave a bequest to provide for maximum estate tax charitable deductions and benefit to the University.
Retirement Plan Gifts
Your retirement assets, accumulated over many years and invested in tax-deferred accounts, could ultimately be a large portion of your estate. You may wish to explore the benefit of designating the Worcester State Foundation as a primary or secondary (after your spouse) beneficiary on your retirement plans.
Life Insurance
Life insurance is a distinctive vehicle to use in making a planned gift. Naming Worcester State Foundation as a beneficiary assures the donor that an intended amount (or percentage) of money will go to the University. As long as the premium is paid up, the face amount will be paid. Note the difference between term insurance and whole life (universal life is another matter). Insurance can be beneficial to donors with large estates (and trusts) who wish to protect their assets for family and charity.
Adding Value and Impact to your Gift
Gifts in Honor or Memory
Any contribution may be made in honor or memory of a family member, teacher, or friend. Such a tribute is a generous way to recognize another individual’s achievements or role in your life.
Making a Pledge: Timing Your Gift
Pledge payment schedules may be tailored and adjusted to conform to income expectations. You may give higher portions of the total pledge at the beginning of the period or at the end. WSU benefits by having the intentions in writing—to plan ahead, to develop accounting support, and to encourage other donors—even if the pledge must be delayed in total fulfillment.
Your Impact Increased
Your gift to the Worcester State Foundation is tax-deductible
The Worcester State Foundation is an IRS-approved 501(c)(3) tax-exempt, nonprofit organization. The foundation’s purpose is to plan initiatives and perform activities that support the University’s continuing growth. All gifts should be made to the Worcester State Foundation.
Institutional Advancement Staff—Your Partners in Philanthropy
Staff in WSU’s Office of Institutional Advancement are prepared to answer questions and assist you in determining how to fit your contribution to your own financial and philanthropic objectives. You may also wish to involve your financial advisor in determining which combination of methods best serves your personal goals. Contact us at 508-929-8033 or ltaylor1@worcester.edu.