Feature
Giving 101
Making a gift to Texas A&M University can be done many ways, and very few require lump-sum checks. Explore these easy giving methods you may not know.
- By Karissa Bayliss ’12 ’15
- Illustrations by Kendrick Kidd
- Oct. 26, 20214 min read
We’ve heard it all before. “The Texas A&M Foundation is only for major gift donors.” Or, “I don’t have the capacity to create an endowment.” And finally, “I want to give, but I don’t know how.” Let us be the first to say we understand. While raising and investing major gift endowments for the benefit of Texas A&M University is our charge, we are proud to manage gifts of all types and sizes from individuals across the spectrum—from legacy donors to current students.
To make giving through the Foundation more attainable and approachable, we have created this giving guide. If you have any desire to give back to Texas A&M University—no matter your capacity—our goal is that you find a giving method that works for you.
Life Insurance
Type of Gift: After-Lifetime Gift
Minimum: None
Tax Deductible: Tax advantages
How it Works: Change your beneficiary or transfer ownership of your life insurance policy to the Foundation.
Unique Benefits: You can make a gift without using any current assets.
Stocks
Type of Gift: Current Gift
Minimum: None
Tax Deductible: Yes
How it Works: First, you transfer appreciated securities to the Foundation. Then, the Foundation sells the securities and uses the proceeds to support Texas A&M however you designate.
Unique Benefits: You avoid capital gains taxes.
Matching Gifts
Type of Gift: Current Gift
Minimum: $25
Tax Deductible: Yes
How it Works: If your company has a matching gift program, you may be able to make a larger donation to Texas A&M without further reducing your own assets. Search our database at give.am/MatchingDatabase to find out if your company will match your gift to the Foundation.
Unique Benefits: You may be able to double, triple or quadruple your gift by taking advantage of a corporate matching program.
Bequest
Type of Gift: After-Lifetime Gift
Minimum: None
Tax Deductible: Estate tax deduction
How it Works: Designate the Foundation as a beneficiary of cash, stock or real estate assets in your will or living trust.
Unique Benefits: Maintain control of your assets during your lifetime.
Cash
Type of Gift: Current Gift
Minimum: $25
Tax Deductible: Yes
How it Works: You can write a check, select from hundreds of accounts online at txamfoundation.com/give or set up a funds transfer to make a gift of cash.
Unique Benefits: Cash gifts are the easiest and quickest giving method, plus our pledge payment option allows you to set up your own giving schedule.
Retirement Account
Type of Gift: After-Lifetime Gift
Minimum: None
Tax Deductible: Tax advantages
How it Works: Make the Foundation a beneficiary of your retirement account, which can usually be done through a change of beneficiary designation form from the administrator of the asset. You may even choose to designate a certain percentage of your account to the Foundation.
Unique Benefits: Retirement accounts are one of the easiest and most tax advantaged ways to give.
Donor-Advised Funds
Type of Gift: Current Gift
Minimum: Varies based on the sponsoring organization
Tax Deductible: Yes
How it Works: Donor-advised funds are like charitable savings accounts. You create an account with a sponsoring organization, such as a nonprofit or an investment company. As you make contributions of cash, stock or other assets from your account, you can take an immediate tax deduction for your gift. An advisor manages and invests the assets and works with you to designate the funds to your favorite charitable causes.
Unique Benefits: You don't need to be an investment expert to manage your funds. Your advisor will handle the investment component and work with you to explore giving opportunities when the time is right.
Pooled Gifts
Type of Gift: Current Gift
Minimum: No minimum for cash gifts; $25,000 for endowments, payable over 5 years.
Tax Deductible: Yes
How it Works: A group of individuals can collectively donate to generate a pool of immediate cash funds or establish an endowment to benefit Texas A&M for generations.
Unique Benefits: Pooled gifts expand your giving capacity by harnessing the power of collective givers.
Learn More: There are even more ways to make a gift to support Texas A&M University! To learn more and speak to a member of our team who can answer any questions you may have, contact discovery@txamfoundation.com.
