Giving Opportunities

Your Gift. Your Choice.

At Rockhurst, there are many ways to give – and each gift is greatly appreciated and wisely used. Check out these options, and decide what works best for you. If you have any questions, we’re happy to talk with you and develop a philanthropic approach designed around your life and your preferences.

Assets	Description	Features
Cash	Outright gift by a transfer of cash or check provides funds for immediate use by Rockhurst.	These easy-to-make gifts provide income tax charitable deductions. The donor may designate a specific purpose or provide much-needed unrestricted support for operating the University.
Stocks	Marketable publicly traded securities, mutual fund shares, and corporate bonds make a gift at full market value on the day.	Provides income tax charitable deduction; may avoid capital gains tax liability; is often used to fund life-income gifts that increase income to the donor.
QCD (Qualified Charitable Distribution)	Starting at age 70 1/2, you can donate directly from your IRA to Rockhurst without penalty. At age 73, you can roll over your required minimum distribution (RMD) to make a donation.	QCDs from your IRA are excluded as gross income for federal income tax purposes, helping you avoid a higher tax bracket.
Retirement Benefits	Rockhurst may be designated as a beneficiary, or contingent beneficiary, of retirement plan benefits.	Each retirement plan must be carefully checked to determine benefits. Often avoids large income tax liability to heirs.
Life Insurance	Gift of paid-up life insurance with Rockhurst as owner and beneficiary.	Provide income tax charitable deduction; benefit to Rockhurst may be far off; policies once needed by family may be no longer needed.
Personal Property	Automobiles, furniture or equipment may be useful to the University or sold if marketable.	Each of these gifts requires personal attention to determine the usefulness to Rockhurst and the tax benefits to the donor.
Real Estate	Appreciated real estate that is marketable (e.g. a house or farm) can be sold by Rockhurst. Valued through an independent appraisal. An environmental report may be needed.	Provides income tax charitable deduction; may eliminate capital gains tax liability; can be used to establish a life income gift, such as an annuity or charitable remainder trust. Donors may be able to continue to live in the home.
Closely Held Business	A family business may be advantageously transferred by including a gift to Rockhurst.	May reduce the tax liability and immediate funding needed for transferring a business.
Artwork	Valuable art, jewelry, antiques, collections or books that may be used by the University.	Each gift requires personal attention to determine tax benefits to the donor and the usefulness of the gift to the University.

Gifts Anyone Can Make

Will

Donations through a will (or trust) support Rockhurst and create a lasting legacy for the donor; these can be a specific amount, specific property, a percentage or residue of an estate.

Continues lifetime support of Rockhurst. Costs a donor nothing during their lifetime. Provides an estate tax charitable deduction.

Click here to view a sample bequest language for your will.

Donating Stock or Mutual Funds

Why make stock gifts?

When it comes to charitable giving, donating appreciated assets is one of the most tax-wise things you as a donor can do to provide for Rockhurst University. In addition to receiving an income tax charitable deduction for up to the full fair market value of your gift, you also avoid the capital gains you would have realized if you had sold the asset instead. Think of it this way: When you contribute cash, you are giving an asset that you have already paid taxes on. When you give stock, you are giving with pretax assets. This is a far superior way to give and demonstrates good stewardship of your wealth.

Donors should have held assets for one year and a day or longer.

Beneficiary Designations

Donors can make arrangements with banks, retirement plans, insurance companies or other financial institutions to give Rockhurst ownership of the account upon the donor’s passing.

Easy to arrange; the donor has complete ownership, with the right to change arrangements or to use all the funds.

Remember to include Rockhurst University’s EIN on your beneficiary designation forms: 44- 0545813.

Retained Life Estate Agreement

Home or farm is given to Rockhurst, but with the right for the donor to continue to live on and use the property for life.

Donors who intend to give Rockhurst their home or farm can receive a current income tax charitable deduction but continue to live in the home or on the farm.

Ways to give securities:

The Rockhurst University broker is Scott Fitzgerald with Merrill Lynch, available at (816) 932-9710. Although it is not necessary to call him about the transfer, sometimes it does help if he is aware of upcoming activities. It is important that you or your broker notify us via FAX, letter or telephone that the gift is being electronically transferred into our account, as the stock transfer will arrive without identification. We cannot provide you with a receipt for tax purposes without this information.

Appreciated securities may also be used to fund gift plans that provide payments for life, such as charitable gift annuities and charitable remainder trusts.

Matching Gifts

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. The impact of your gift to Rockhurst may be doubled or even tripled – it's an easy way to increase the value of your gift. Many companies also match gifts from retirees and spouses.

For more information, or to find out if your company has a matching gift policy, visit our Matching Gifts page.

Memorials

Gifts are often made to honor a family member, friend or former teacher. Scholarships or programs can be named in honor of a donor or other person.

A perpetual memorial to a loved one or a legacy of one's life. Current gifts bring income tax charitable deductions. Rockhurst will work with the donor to determine appropriate means.

Scholarships

Many donors choose to honor loved ones or friends through a memorial or honorary gift to Rockhurst University. Memorial and honorary gifts can be directed to any purpose, including unrestricted funds, academic programs, endowment funds, etc.

Donors establish new scholarships each year. Through the generosity of these friends of Rockhurst University, students will be able to realize their educational goals of earning a degree in the Jesuit philosophy of service to others.