Ways To Give

Discover How You Can Give to SC State

Every Donation Helps the SCSUF Achieve Its Mission

Gifts of Cash

Cash and cash equivalents are the gift of choice for most donors, either as an annual gift or pledged over a period of several years. A cash gift entitles the donor to a charitable deduction of up to 50 percent of adjusted gross income. If all deductible donations in that year exceed the 50-percent limit, the excess amount may be carried over as a deduction for up to five years. Checks should be mailed along with a letter outlining the purpose of the gift.

While most donors send personal checks, SC State University Foundation also accepts cash gifts by wire transfer.

You may also use your credit card to make a gift to SC State University Foundation, which entitles you to the same income-tax deduction as a gift of cash. Credit card gifts may be made by mail using the annual fund pledge card by calling (803) 536-7190. The mailing address of the SCSU Foundation is SCSU Foundation PO Box 7187 Orangeburg, SC 29117.

GIVE A GIFT OF CASH

Matching Gifts

Thousands of corporations and businesses now have programs to match employee gifts either in whole or in part. In some cases, gifts from spouses, directors, and retired employees are matched by employers. We urge you to explore this possibility as it may double or, in some cases, triple your gift. If you are interested, check with your employer to see if they have this option.

Gifts of Securities

Next to cash, appreciated stocks and bonds are the most popular assets donated to SC State University by alumni and friends.

Gifts of Closely Held Stock

You may be unaware that you may make gifts of closely-held stock and other non-readily marketable securities and that they offer many tax advantages. However, these gifts involve special handling, and you are urged to contact the Office of Planned Giving to explore the alternatives for structuring the gift.

Depreciated Securities

If you hold securities that have declined in value, it is generally advisable not to donate them. Rather, you should consider selling them to establish a tax loss and then donate the proceeds to SC State University.

Inquire about Gifts of Security

Planned Giving

An outright gift is not the best means of achieving their philanthropic or estate-planning goals for many donors. Carefully planned gifts can offer significant estate tax and income benefits while at the same time allowing donors to make more significant gifts to the University than would otherwise not be possible. To learn more about SC State University's gift-planning strategies, please explore the information below.

Bequest

From the beginning, SC State University's tradition of excellence has significantly relied on alumni and friends who have provided for the University in their wills. Whether you wish to memorialize a loved one, give financial support to qualified students, or underwrite research, a bequest can achieve your goals and associate you with the University forever. Bequests can take various forms and may be restricted or unrestricted.

Specific Bequests

Contingent Bequest

Charitable Bequest

A charitable bequest can also be arranged to provide income for a beneficiary by directing that the bequest be used to establish a charitable remainder trust, a charitable gift annuity, or be invested in a pooled income fund. If such a gift is made by will, the principal will pass to SC State only after the donor and the life income beneficiary have passed away. For further information, including samples of testamentary language, contact the Office of Development.

Insurance Gift

The insurance gift, with the University being named as primary or contingent beneficiary, is a popular gift. There are many ways in which life insurance policies can be used to make a gift to SC State. All provide an immediate income tax deduction and may enable the donor to make a much larger gift than might otherwise be possible.

The most direct and simple way of making a gift of life insurance is to name the University owner and beneficiary of the existing policy. A donor receives an income tax deduction for the full cash surrender or paid-up value of the policy. Any further premiums paid on such a policy given to SC State are fully deductible.

Life insurance may also be used to replace the value of an asset that has been given to SC State. A donor may use the tax savings produced by the charitable deduction to pay the premiums on a life insurance policy. Such an arrangement can assure that the financial security of the donor's heirs will be preserved.

Charitable Remainder Trusts

Charitable remainder unitrusts and charitable remainder annuity trusts may be created during one's lifetime or by will.

A donor irrevocably transfers property (cash, securities, real estate) to SC State Foundation as trustee. The University will then, in turn, pay to you and/or another named beneficiary either a percentage of the trust principal or a fixed dollar amount for life or a designated term.

Unitrust income will fluctuate with ordinary conditions. Annuity trust income is fixed at the date of the gift and never changes. At the death of the income beneficiaries or at the end of the term, the trust ends and the principal is made available to for purposes that the donor had previously determined. A contribution to establish a unitrust or annuity trust provides an immediate charitable contribution deduction for federal and state income tax purposes. A gift of long-term appreciated property avoids capital gains tax, and there are also estate tax advantages. Because of the various tax benefits and the possibility of reinvestment of assets at a higher yield, spendable income may be more than before the gift was made.

Deferred Payment Gift Annuity

The deferred payment gift annuity involves the current transfer of cash, marketable securities, or other assets to SC State Foundation. In exchange, SC State Foundation agrees to pay the donor an annuity starting at a future date, usually at the donor's retirement. The gift can consist of a single transfer, a series of transfers, or periodic transfers to the plan in high-income years.

The deferred payment gift annuity allows the donor to save income taxes now, provide for income in later years, and make an important contribution to the University. Since you postpone your guaranteed payments until a date you choose, the interest on the fund will compound, and the amount you receive will reflect this.

More Information About Planned Giving

Gifts of Real Property

You may contribute real property to the University, either as a bequest or, more commonly, by a lifetime transfer, and realize significant tax benefits. The University looks at possible gifts of property on a case-by-case basis. It is a detailed process but very workable, and the rewards are great.

Gifts of real property may consist of almost any type of property: a personal or recreational residence, a farm or ranch, a commercial building, subdivision lots, or any undeveloped parcel of land. The gift might be for all of your interest in the property or undivided fractional interest.

Individual charitable goals and financial needs determine which of the following methods of giving real property is most appropriate for your situation.

Residence or Farm

A donor may give his or her personal residence or farm to SC State University and retain a life interest in it for the donor and their spouse. This provides the donor with an advantage both in current income and in estate taxes. There is a charitable deduction in the year the property is deeded to SC State University.

Personal residence is broadly defined to include any property used as a personal residence even if it is not used as the principal residence.

At the death of the donor or spouse, the property is transferred to SC State University Foundation to be used for purposes originally expressed by the donor.

Outright Gift

Life Income Gift

Real property is transferred to a trust where it is sold by the trustee. The income is paid to you and/or other named beneficiaries. The income paid to the beneficiaries for life depends on the net proceeds realized on the sale of the real property in combination with a previously agreed upon rate of return. At the death of the last of the life beneficiaries, the assets of the trust pass to the University's Foundation.

Life Tenancy Gift

Learn More About Gifts of Real Property

Gifts of Personal Property

The University's Library and Museums are greatly enriched by gifts of personal property. These gifts may include rare books, manuscripts, paintings, artifacts, and other art objects. Please contact the South Carolina State University Foundation office to learn more about donating gifts of personal property.

Request More Information About Gifts of Personal Property

Learn how you can support SCSUF’s mission

The South Carolina State University Foundation appreciates all of our generous donors. All contributions help the SCSUF achieve its mission of bringing higher-quality education opportunities to SC State students. For further information about items mentioned above or to learn how you can support the SCSUF mission, please contact our office.

Support SCSUF’s Mission