GIVING BACK TO TEXAS SOUTHERN UNIVERSITY
These are the primary reasons individuals give so generously.
Don't Overlook the Personal Financial Benefits
Once you have reached a decision to support a particular cause or institution,
like our organization, it is only natural that you should consider the personal
financial benefits of your gift. Here are the many ways you can benefit while
helping others.
Income tax savings.
To encourage
private contributions, our government allows you to deduct them on your income
tax return, provided you itemize.
Reduction of estate and probate costs.
Gifts to Texas Southern University, either now or at death, avoid the federal
estate tax. A contribution now also reduces probate costs later.
Give for Your Own Reasons
No matter why others give, you have your own personal reasons. This is the way
it should be. Philanthropy has both tangible and intangible rewards. You will
find that you are influenced by many motives--some humanitarian, some financial,
some close to your heart. The best plan for you is the one that satisfies all of
them.
Thinking Beyond the Checkbook
Investment assets. Stocks,
bonds, real estate and other property, if they have grown in value, make it
possible to give a larger donation for less cost and even provide tax benefits
for you.
Life insurance policies.
Although often forgotten, gifts of life insurance are a great way to leverage
your giving. Donate paid-up life insurance policies with cash values or new
policies with Texas Southern University named as owner and beneficiary.
Deferred gifts. Popular methods
include leaving a gift in your will or a trust, or donating personal property.
Also, consider bequeathing your retirement plan assets or other assets that
would be heavily taxed if left to heirs upon your death.
Volunteering. There are many
opportunities to give your time and expertise. Accept an offer to serve on a
board or committee, make calls for a capital campaign, or simply respond when
your favorite charitable organizations, like Texas Southern University, need
help.
Although a gift of cash is always welcome,
there are many other forms of giving. Our organization appreciates your gift
whether it is immediate or years from now, and we can help you find the perfect
gift for your individual circumstances.
HOW TO GIVE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS
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Step 1: |
Determine Type of Scholarship Fund |
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The first step is to determine whether you would like to establish an "endowed"
scholarship or an "annual" scholarship:
Endowed Scholarships
Endowed scholarship funds are designed to be permanent and perpetual and
can be created with gifts totaling a minimum amount of $15,000,
contributed in full at the outset or with an initial commitment that is
added to over time until the endowment level of $15,000 is attained. The
principal of the fund is invested to produce income, and an annual award
is made to a student(s). The principal remains untouched, so the
endowment can last into perpetuity.
Annual Scholarships
Annual scholarships can be established with an outright gift of $1,000.
An annual commitment of $1,000 per year for four years is recommended,
and the annual gift is awarded to recipients over the four-year period.
Unlike an endowed scholarship described above, an annual scholarship is
not a permanent fund and is awarded only as long you (or others) choose
to contribute to the fund.
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Type of Scholarship Fund
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Step 2: |
Establish Scholarship Criteria |
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As a scholarship donor, you choose the name of the scholarship as well
as the criteria. The Office of Alumni Relations is available to help you
create the criteria for your scholarship. Endowed and annual
scholarships at Texas Southern are awarded to deserving students based
upon area of interest, geographical origin, leadership potential, merit,
financial need, academic achievement and/or other criteria. The Texas
Southern University Foundation must agree to any special award
conditions established by the donor. |
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Step 3: |
Administration of Scholarship Funds |
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Typically, a selection committee carefully reviews the scholarship
applications submitted by students and selects the most deserving
recipient(s) based on the donor-established criteria.
Major contributors of a scholarship fund are notified annually when the
scholarship recipient(s) has been selected and are informed of the name
and hometown of the recipient, as well as the amount of the award.
Recipients often write a thank-you note to the donor, and in some cases,
the recipient and donor are able to meet.
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Tax Benefits of Funding a Scholarship
An outright gift in the form of cash or appreciated securities
will allow you to receive immediate tax benefits in the year you
make the gift to Texas Southern University. In the case of
appreciated securities, you may also avoid capital gains taxes.
You can also provide for your scholarship in your estate plans.
Estate gifts
are an easy way to establish a scholarship without affecting
your current income or assets. |
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WAYS
OF GIVING
What is a matching gift?
Many companies encourage their employees to make charitable contributions by
matching their philanthropic support. At the University, donors receive credit
for their employers' matching gifts, meaning the match will also count towards
your gift totals. The impact of corporate matching support can be enormous.
Hundreds of companies have matching-gift programs. To find out if you work for
one of them, you can go online to search, or consult your human resources
office, which will also provide you with a matching gift form.
How
can I make a contribution? Is there an easy way to give?
There are many options available for making gifts, and we have worked to make
sure each one is easy and convenient. You can mail a check, give online, or even
have a regular deduction made from your account through an automatic bank draft.
You could sign up to have $10 a month deducted for 12 months from your checking
account, and after 12 months you’ve contributed $120 to the University!
Is my
gift tax deductible?
Yes,
TSU is qualified as a tax-exempt organization under section 501(c)(3) of the IRS
Code, so all gifts to the University are tax deductible. To find out more about
tax deductibility visit the IRS website at www.irs.gov
How
are my contributions used?
Annual funds have been used to support schools, projects, teaching, research,
and outreach.
Why does the University need annual giving?
Annual giving from alumni and other donors help to finance academic programs in
the ten schools, as well as student-life activities, athletics, the library, and
other programs. Annual gifts provide funding for such areas as the Office of
Alumni Relations and preservation of TSU's historic buildings and grounds.
I can
only make a small contribution. Does that really help?
Absolutely. For example, if 40 alumni each gave $25, that would cover a
student's annual cost of books and supplies. For TSU it is not how much you
give, but that you give. Alumni participation, especially loyal
participation from year to year, not only aids the University financially, but
also factors into TSU’s ranking.
I've
already paid my Alumni Association dues. Does that make me a University Alumni
donor?
No. Membership dues for the Alumni Association (or local Alumni Chapters) are
not contributions to TSU's Office of Alumni Relations, and therefore do not
receive University Alumni recognition. Being an Office of Alumni Relations
supporter/donor is about supporting the University Alumni office, schools and
programs that you care about most at TSU. If you are interested in becoming an
Office of Alumni Relations donor, you can make an annual contribution payable to
the Office of Alumni Relations. For more information call 713-313-6805.
Different ways/types of giving?
*Annual Giving
*Appreciated Securities
*Capital Projects
*Retirement Plans
*Endowment Gifts
*Matching Gifts
*Gift
Annuities
*Life
Insurance Gifts
*Real
Estate
*Personal Property
*Reunion Giving
*Wills
and Living Trust
*Charitable Remainder or Lead Trust
BECOME A OAR SUPPORTER
Tiger Stripe Level
- $25 – Includes: an alumni t-shirt, subscription to Generations of
Pride Magazine & OAR Supporter card.
Cub 100 Club - $100
– Includes: an alumni t-shirt, 10% discount to OAR events, and subscription to
Generations of Pride Magazine, OAR Supporter card.
Maroon & Gray Level
- $350 – Includes: 2 alumni t-shirts, 15% discount to OAR events,
discounts/coupons on preferred businesses goods and services, preferred seating
at athletic events, subscription to Generations of Pride Magazine, and OAR
Supporter card.
Tiger 500 Club -
$500 – Includes: 4 alumni t-shirts, 25% discount to OAR events,
discounts/coupons on preferred businesses goods and services, season tickets to
TSU athletic events, (football, basketball, TSU Relays) preferred seating at
athletic events, subscription to Generations of Pride Magazine and OAR Supporter
card.
Elite Tiger’s Den
Club - $750 – Includes: 4 alumni t-shirts, 30% discount to OAR
events, discounts/coupons on preferred businesses goods and services, season
tickets to TSU athletic events, (football, basketball, TSU Relays) preferred
seating at athletic events, subscription to Generations of Pride Magazine,
listing as BBTY supporter at all events and OAR Supporter card.
Platinum PALS
Society - $1000 (Positive Alumni
Leadership & Support) Includes: 5 alumni t-shirts, 35% discount to OAR
events, discounts/coupons on preferred businesses goods and services, season
tickets to TSU athletic events, (football, basketball, TSU Relays) preferred
seating at athletic events, subscription to Generations of Pride Magazine,
listing as B.B.T.Y supporter at all events and OAR Supporter card.
Titanium Tiger - $2500 – Includes: 6 alumni
t-shirts, free entry to all OAR events, discounts/coupons on preferred
businesses goods and services, season tickets to all TSU athletic events,
preferred seating at athletic events, subscription to Generations of Pride
Magazine, full page ad in an issue of Generations of Pride Magazine, listing as
BBTY supporter at all events and OAR Supporter card.
For more information
please contact the Office of Alumni Relations
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