- December 13, 2010
University fundraisers are reaching out to friends and alumni as 2010 ends, encouraging them to maximize tax benefits and also show their support by making charitable gifts to ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ before the close of the calendar year. Because the university's Educational Foundation is a recognized non-profit organization, gifts made on or before Dec. 31 are eligible for 2010 tax deductions.
"At this time of year, many people are considering where to direct their annual charitable donations," said Anne Harris, associate vice president for development. "By giving to ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ now, they can be assured that their gifts will make a meaningful difference for students right away."
Gifts — unrestricted or restricted to a particular purpose such as scholarships — made to the university, its colleges, departments or programs such as the library or athletics can be put to immediate use, Harris explained, allowing deans and administrators to address emerging opportunities and needs as they arise. ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ encourages unrestricted gifts that benefit its annual fund — The University Fund, where donors have the option to designate their gifts to specific departments or programs. Unrestricted gifts provide the greatest flexibility, she added, but all gifts benefit the university’s mission.
Trish Davenport, director of annual giving, said she hopes to inspire more of CSUEB's 100,000 alumni to make a contribution to their alma mater. "Alumni know first hand about the challenges our students face, and how much a gift of any size can help," she said. "The collective power of gifts makes an incredible difference, not only in CSUEB's educational environment, but also in the lives of the students we serve."
Each year, more than half of CSUEB's students receive some kind of financial aid. The university aims to increase the number of scholarships and fellowships it offers through its current fundraising campaign, The University of Possibilities, which began in July 2009.
Because the campaign is comprehensive, Harris added, all end-of-year giving will be counted toward the campaign totals. At the end of the first year of the campaign’s early “leadership phase,” ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ supporters had contributed $6.4 million to the campaign goals, which include student and faculty support, increased access to education, and new academic initiatives.
will remain accessible during the university's holiday break Dec. 24 through Jan. 2, 2011. Online gifts will be processed by the close of business on Dec. 31. All checks postmarked prior to Dec. 31 will be recorded for December 2010 to be eligible for tax benefit purposes.
Checks should be made payable to The ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ Educational Foundation and mailed to: ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥, East Bay, University Advancement, 25800 Carlos Bee Boulevard, Hayward, CA 94542. For more information about giving to CSUEB, contact Trish Davenport at 510.885.2150.
Gifts to ÂãÁÄÖ±²¥ are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law. In accordance with university and Educational Foundation policy, a portion of all gifts is retained for gift administration and to encourage private support of the University. All donors will receive a gift receipt by the end of January.