Frequently asked questions about giving

How do I make a gift?
Can my gift be designated to a specific area or department at the university?
How do I participate in a matching gift program?
How do I make a gift in honor of or in memory of someone?
Is my gift tax deductible?
Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?
Whom can I contact with more questions about making a gift?

How do I make a gift?

• Give online: You can make a gift right now by visiting www.vcuf.org/giving.
• Send a check: Checks should be made payable to the entity receiving the gift; for example “VCU School of Medicine.” The gift amount should be spelled out and the check should be signed. Please send checks to:
  

  Cash Operations
  Virginia Commonwealth University
  P.O. Box 842026
  Richmond, VA 23284-2026

• Call or e-mail: If you would prefer to make your gift over the phone, you can contact the school or program’s development office or call (804) 828-2043. If you have a question or request for Cash Operations, please e-mail manager Becky Ralston. Please do not send credit card information via e-mail or fax.
• Make a pledge: If you prefer to make a gift over time instead of making a one-time payment, you can pledge the amount of your total gift and pay the balance in increments. Please contact the school or program’s development office for a pledge form, or make your pledge online. VCU employees can also make gifts online via payroll deduction.
• Make a deferred gift: If you would like to include VCU in your estate plan or if you would like advice on how to make a more complex gift, please contact the school or program’s development office, Executive Director of the VCU Foundation Tom Burke or President of the MCV Foundation Bill Kotti.
  
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Can my gift be designated to a specific area or department at the university?

Yes, your gift can be designated to an area of your choice. Simply include your intentions in a short letter or in the memo line of your check.

Checks should be made payable to the entity receiving the gift. For example, to make a gift to the Marianne Burns Brown Memorial Scholarship in the School of World Studies, make the check payable to the VCU Foundation and write “Marianne Burns Brown Memorial Scholarship” in the memo line.

How do I participate in a matching gift program?

Corporate matching gift programs contribute more than a billion dollars annually to nonprofit organizations in the U.S. alone, and they are a valuable source of philanthropic support for VCU. Corporate matching gifts can help donors double their gift, and the donor can receive giving-club credit for their company’s match. Corporate matches also help VCU build valuable partnerships with the business community.

VCU is pleased to offer our donors an online matching gifts directory where you can research you company’s matching gift program and download matching gift forms. Matching gift verification forms can be mailed to:

Virginia Commonwealth University
Gifts Processing
P.O. Box 842026
Richmond, VA 23286-0441

For more information about VCU’s matching gift program, contact Amy Lane, assistant director of corporate and foundation relations, at (804) 828-0236.

How do I make a gift in honor of or in memory of someone?

If you would like to make a gift in honor or memory of someone, please note the person’s name in the memo line. Checks should be made payable to the entity receiving the gift. If possible, please include family contact and family address so we can notify them of your gift. Dollar amounts are not shared.

If you are interested in establishing an endowed fund in honor or in memory of someone, please contact the school or program’s development office.

Is my gift tax-deductible?

Yes. In general, gifts benefiting the university are tax-deductible. Please contact your tax adviser for more information.

Will I get a receipt for tax purposes?

Tax receipts are generally mailed within a week after we receive your donation. Receipts are not issued for pledge payments or gifts made through payroll deductions.

Whom can I contact with more questions about making a gift?

If you have additional questions about making a gift, please contact the school or program’s development office. You also can contact Anne Hoffler at (804) 828-3383 or Jenn Papenfuse at (804) 828-0745 in the Office of Donor Relations.