Ways to Give

A gift of cash (check or credit card) is the most popular way to give. A cash gift has an immediate impact on students, faculty and buildings and grounds. The gift is considered made on the date it is delivered to the University. A gift of cash entitles you to a federal income tax deduction of up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income.

You may be able to double or even triple the amount of your gift to Claflin University through a matching gift. 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. Claflin urges you to explore this possibility. Ask your employer if your company is a matching gift organization.

A gift of appreciated securities such as stocks, mutual funds or bonds - that have been held for one year and a day - can provide attractive benefits to a donor. An outright gift of long-term appreciated assets avoids capital gains taxes and, in most cases, the donor obtains a charitable income tax deduction equal to the market value of the securities. Institutional Advancement has a simple process to assist you should you wish to make an outright gift of appreciated assets.

Gifts of real property can easily be given to Claflin University. You may contribute real property to the University, either as a bequest or by a lifetime transfer, and realize significant tax benefits. Gifts of real property may consist of almost any type of property such as personal or recreational residence, a farm or ranch, a commercial building, subdivision lots or any undeveloped parcel of land. The gift may consist of all of your interest in the property or an undivided fractional interest. Gifts of real property are transferred by deed from the donor to Claflin University.

A Life Income Gift allows a donor to make a transfer of assets as a gift to Claflin University while receiving income for life from the gift. By irrevocably transferring assets the donor can receive income tax and financial benefits. A Life Income Gift enables the donor to make a substantial contribution to the University without financial sacrifice.

Claflin University has been greatly enriched by gifts of personal property such as rare books, manuscripts, paintings, artifacts and other art objects. Our classrooms and research capabilities are also enriched by contributions of computer hardware and software. Making a gift using personal property provides a double benefit - a charitable deduction plus avoidance of any potential capital-gains tax.