Ways to Give
Every gift finds its way to a student, a lab, a scholarship, a future. Explore the route that fits your goals while putting dreams into practice.
Your generosity, in motion.
Whether you want to provide immediate resources through a cash gift or secure a lasting legacy through an estate plan, we offer flexible paths to match your financial goals. Explore the ways you can partner with us to shape bright futures for generations of UM-Dearborn Wolverines.
One of the most impactful and straightforward ways to support UM-Dearborn students is through a cash gift. Whether you choose to give by check, credit card, or money order, your contribution provides immediate resources to address our most pressing needs and advance our educational mission. With your gift, you’ll see the real difference your generosity makes, and you may also benefit from a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize.
Donating appreciated securities or mutual funds that you’ve held for more than one year is a powerful and tax-smart way to support UM-Dearborn. By making a gift of stocks or mutual funds, you can help secure a bright future for our students while enjoying significant financial benefits. When you give appreciated assets, you may reduce or eliminate capital gains taxes on the transfer, and you may also qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction based on the current fair market value of your gift.
This means you receive the same income tax benefits as a cash donation, with the added advantage of potentially avoiding capital gains taxes that can reach up to 20 percent. Supporting UM-Dearborn with a gift of securities allows you to make a meaningful impact while maximizing the value of your contribution.
If you want to make a lasting impact at UM-Dearborn while keeping the flexibility to adjust your plans as life changes, you can do so with a planned gift. In just a single sentence, you can include the University of Michigan-Dearborn and help ensure we continue shaping bright futures for generations of students.
If you prefer a more flexible option than a traditional will or estate gift, consider naming UM-Dearborn as a beneficiary of your IRA or retirement plan, life insurance policy, donor-advised fund, or commercial annuity. This simple choice allows you to support our mission while preserving your ability to adapt to whatever the future may hold.
Your treasured possessions—such as valuable antiques, stamp or coin collections, artwork, vehicles, boats, and other personal property—can become meaningful charitable gifts to support UM-Dearborn, either now or as part of your legacy. The financial benefits of your gift depend on how the university utilizes the property. If the item supports our mission directly (for example, artwork donated to an art museum), you may be eligible for a deduction equal to its full fair market value. For property considered unrelated to our mission, the tax deduction is limited to the lesser of its fair market value or your tax basis in the item.
Please note that if you wish to claim a federal income tax deduction greater than $5,000 for your gift of tangible personal property, you will need to obtain an appraisal from a qualified appraiser and submit a special IRS form with your tax return. We are happy to help you navigate these requirements and maximize the impact of your generosity.
A donor-advised fund (DAF) functions like a charitable savings account, giving you the flexibility to support UM-Dearborn and other qualified charities on your own terms. With a DAF, you can recommend grants—either one-time or recurring—to have an immediate impact, or save and direct gifts in the future as your philanthropic goals evolve.
You can also create a lasting legacy by designating UM-Dearborn as the beneficiary of your entire DAF or a percentage of your fund. If you choose to leave a percentage, you have the option to name loved ones as your successors, empowering your family to continue your tradition of charitable giving for years to come. To set this up, simply contact your fund administrator for a beneficiary designation form.
If your employer offers a matching gift program, you can maximize the impact of your support for CASL—potentially doubling or even tripling your gift. Simply request a matching gift form from your company, complete and sign it, and send it along with your donation. We’ll take care of the rest. Many companies also match gifts made by retirees and spouses, so be sure to explore all available opportunities to enhance your generosity.