GIVING TO THE COLLEGE OF ARTS & HUMANITIES

Dean's Message Increased philanthropic investment will have an enormous leveraging effect as we compete for students and faculty with the world's academically elite private schools. The Development Office exists to serve past, current and future donors to the College of Arts and Humanities. Please let me know how we can help you meet your philanthropic goals.   James F. Harris Dean

WAYS OF GIVING

WHY GIVE?

GIVING FAQs

MAKE A GIFT ONLINE

 

WAYS OF GIVING (back to top)

Alumni may give to the College of Arts & Humanities in many different ways throughout their lifetimes.

Cash gifts

An easy, flexible and simple way to give is to send a personal check or money order by mail, or use your credit card to make a gift online.

Appreciated securities

Gifts of stock are a convenient way to make a gift by using assets other than cash. The transactions can be handled with you directly or with your financial representative and have multiple benefits that vary with each individual's portfolio.

Real or personal properties

Property is another attractive way to make a gift. When you make gifts of property, certain value appraisals are required. These transactions will be handled with you directly and in conjunction with your legal representative.

Bequests

Gifts made through your estate plan can help you realize your philanthropic goals, and may allow you to make a more significant gift than is possible during your lifetime. Please contact Director of Development Laura W. Brown for a confidential consultation. Or, for more information about planned giving opportunities, please visit the University's office of planned giving.

Life insurance

If you are carrying more insurance coverage than your family obligations now require, you may find a hidden gift asset in a surplus, paid-up policy.

Charitable remainder trusts

Earn money on your contribution by transferring money, securities or other assets to a trust that will then pay you an income for life or a period of years. The trust will be designed by you to fit your own needs in conjunction with your financial advisor or legal representative.

However you choose to support the College, please contact the Development Office to direct your gift to the Arts & Humanities program of your choice.

 

WHY GIVE? (back to top)

Today more than ever, your gift matters.

Giving back to the College of Arts & Humanities is a measure of your satisfaction with the education and opportunities you received here. But more than that, your gift:

Sustains and supports people and programs

We rely significantly more on financial support from alumni and friends than you may realize. Nationally, there has been a steady erosion of state and federal funding for higher education over the last three decades. In Maryland , state support of the university has dropped to just 26% of the institution's budget.

Influences opinion-makers

The percentage of alumni who give to the school is a factor when corporations and foundations award grants, when high school seniors and parents are evaluating colleges and universities, and when other donors are making their philanthropic decisions. So each gift has an impact far beyond the dollar amount donated.

Safeguards the value of your degree

Alumni giving is also a criteria used in the national rankings of colleges and universities. Your gift of ANY size to ANY program publicly demonstrates your pride in the College of Arts and Humanities and your investment in its goals.

 

GIVING FAQs (back to top)

Are there different types of gifts I can make?
You may choose the type of gift you want to give and how you want it designated. For example, you may want to designate your gift to a specific fund, a specific Arts & Humanities department or program. Gifts may be made with cash, credit cards, stocks, land (real property) or other personal property. Please go to “Ways Of Giving” for a reference of possible gift choices.

Can I designate where I want my gift to go?
Yes, you choose where you would like your gift to make the most impact. In accordance to your wishes, we will apply your gift to any Arts & Humanities fund, department, program, key initiative, etc., for use in the manner you intended.

How can I give online?
Gifts to our annual fund, the Maryland Fund for Excellence, may be made online quickly and securely at https://advancement.usmd.edu/OnlineGiving/umd.html . For other types of gifts such as establishing a scholarship or professorship and estate gifts, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu

May I make a gift to recognize or memorialize someone?
Yes, you can make your gift in recognition of a special loved one, friend, colleague, etc. or to memorialize someone who is no longer with us. By establishing an endowed fund such as a scholarship or professorship, you are able to memorialize a loved one in perpetuity. For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu

How can I make a gift that will last forever as a tribute to someone?
You may endow your gift so that it lives in perpetuity. The gift's principal will be invested soundly and the percentage of the income generated will be designated as you wish. For more information or a confidential discussion, please contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu

May I make a gift and spread it out over a period of time?
Gifts of $5,000 or more may be pledged up front and paid over a maximum five-year term.

Is my gift tax deductible?
All gifts to the College of Arts & Humanities are tax deductible.

Are there other tax breaks or income producing opportunities for me through my gift?
There are various ways of structuring your gift whereby you will be provided with a stream of income in addition to a tax break.  Please contact your finance or tax professional directly or contact Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu

If I have a question(s) about making a gift, who may I contact?
The Development Office staff can help you with your questions and gift choices. Please feel free to contact: Laura Brown , Director of Development, at lwbrown@umd.edu or phone (301) 405-6339 .