How You Can Give to Our Students and University

How You Can Give to Our Students and University

Cal State L.A. offers a variety of gift options you may wish to explore. Careful planning can maximize the positive effects of outright contributions such as cash, appreciated securities, real estate and gifts of personal property, as well as deferred gifts such as bequests and charitable trusts.

We share the following ideas to help you identify the most effective ways to give. Recent tax law changes may make your charitable deductions worth more and reduce the out-of-pocket cost of your charitable gifts. It is important, however, that you consult with your own personal advisers, including qualified legal and tax counsel, to discuss potential tax advantages for your circumstances.

Outright Gifts
You may make your gift outright in a single payment. Outright gifts are transfers of cash, securities or other property.

Pledges
A pledge confirms your intention to make a gift to the University. It may be handled through a series of payments, which makes it easier for you to support the University more generously than originally considered. The University encourages full payment of pledges in five years or less whenever possible.

Matching Gifts
Many corporations have demonstrated their support for education by matching, or multiplying, their employees' gifts to an educational institution, up to a set amount. Before you make a gift to the University, please check to see whether your employer participates in such a program. You may obtain the necessary matching gift forms from your company's personnel office.

Gifts-In-Kind
You may wish to give the University a personal possession of special interest. The University receives a wide assortment of such gifts, including rare books and manuscripts, works of art, equipment and other items. To determine the University's interest in the object you would like to give, please contact the relevant University unit. Special tax rules apply to such gifts, so it's also important to discuss such a gift with your own tax counsel.

Bequests
Alumni and friends are encouraged to include Cal State L.A. in their estate plans. If you have made a bequest to the University, or are considering one, please notify the Development Office so that we may establish a record of your bequest intentions.

Planned Gifts
A variety of options exists for individuals interested in making charitable deferred gifts. The fundraising staff will be happy to assist you in developing ways of giving that may be appropriate for you. Call (323) 343-3060.