Ways to give
The Office of Alumni & Development Records is here to serve you. As the centralized department for recording all charitable donations to Duke University and the Duke Health System,it is our goal to facilitate the prompt and accurate processing of each and every gift.
Duke University can accept donations via many different methods. Listed below are the most common through which to make a gift. If you don't see the information you need, feel free to contact the Alumni & Development Records Office at (919) 684-2338.
Outright Gifts
- Cash/Checks
- The most popular and easiest way to make a donation to Duke is by cash or check. The Office of Alumni & Development Records will gladly accept cash gifts. We DO NOT recommend, however, that you mail cash via any postal service or courier. Read More
- Credit Card
- To make a donation by credit card, the Alumni & Development Records Office needs your name, the name printed on the card, the credit card number, expiration date, and the amount of your donation. We will also need the area or designation of your gift. This may be done electronically. Read More
- Electronic Bank Drafts
- Through electronic transfer, Duke University offers you the opportunity to make your gift without writing a check. With your authorization, on the same day each month (usually on or about the 10th of each month) we will automatically debit your checking account in the amount you designate. At any time you desire, you may change or cancel your authorization -- you retain control throughout the process! Read More
- Foreign Currency
- Duke University greatly appreciates cash donations in any form, including foreign currency, US dollars drawn on foreign banks, or foreign "dollars". Duke gives its donors gift credit in US dollars for the value of the donation, based on current exchange rates, as of the day of receipt. Read More
- Payroll Deduction
- Duke Employees are eligible to make charitable contributions to Duke via payroll deduction. The deductions occur monthly or bi-weekly depending on your payroll status. You may choose any amount of deduction (not less than $5.00 per deduction) or you may wish to have Alumni & Development Records calculate the appropriate amount to fulfill a pledge. Read More
- Personal Property or Real Estate
- Duke University gladly accepts gifts of tangible personal property that the University would otherwise need to purchase, or that further the endeavors of Duke's educational and/or medical communities. Read More
- Stocks/Securities
- There are several ways to transfer securities to Duke: Electronic Transfer, Mailing Certificates, or Hand Delivery. For information regarding the valuation of stocks and bonds or gift crediting, please contact Alumni & Development Records - (800) 367-3853 or (919) 684-2338. Read More
- Wire Transfer
- Wire transfers have historically been used to transfer funds between financial institutions when time was of the essence. More recently, the use of wire transfers has fallen by the wayside as the fees incurred by the donor have become quite substantial. Read More
Planned Gifts
- Bequests
- The most common and simplest form of planned giving, a bequest is a gift that is made through a donor's will. Individuals may include Duke University in their wills by naming Duke for either a specific amount or a percent share of their estate. Donors can also name Duke as the residual beneficiary of their estates after payment of bequests to others. Read More
- Charitable Lead Trusts
- Charitable Lead Trusts are most appealing to wealthy donors who want to pass appreciated assets to their heirs without paying a substantial amount in taxes. This is done by allowing Duke to receive income from the donor's assets for a specified time, after which the asset is transferred back to the donor or to the donor's heirs, who do not have to pay any additional taxes. Read More
- Charitable Remainder Trusts
- Two basic types of charitable remainder trusts qualify for federal tax benefits. In both arrangements, a donor gives stock, cash, or other assets to a trust. Those assets are invested, producing income for the donor - or other beneficiary - either for a fixed period of time or until the donor dies. The donor is allowed to claim a tax deduction for the estimated portion of the assets that will ultimately come to Duke. When the donor dies, Duke keeps all remaining assets. Read More
- Gift Annuities
- The gift annuity agreement provides older donors who give cash, securities, real estate, or personal property with fixed annual payments for a specified period of time, usually for life. With a deferred gift annuity, the annual payments do not start when the gift is made but begin at a later time specified by the donor. Read More
- Life Insurance
- A gift of whole life insurance can be made to Duke by naming Duke University the irrevocable owner and beneficiary of the policy. The policy, which can either be paid-up, or, if not paid-up as of the date of the gift, has a minimum face value of $100,000, has a payment schedule not to exceed ten years, and which assumes an interest rate not to exceed 2% below the prime interest rate as of the effective date of the policy. Read More
- Personal Property or Real Estate
- Duke University gladly accepts gifts of tangible personal property that the University would otherwise need to purchase, or that further the endeavors of Duke's educational and/or medical communities. Read More
- Pooled Income Funds
- The Pooled-Income Fund is a gift plan for donors giving cash, securities, or other assets to Duke University, which is then invested in a large, diversified portfolio. The donor receives income from the fund proportionate to the value of his or her contribution, as well as an income-tax deduction based on the estimated principal that will be left to the charity. Obtaining a "unit" in a pooled-income fund is similar to buying a share of a mutual fund. Read More
Double Your Money
- Matching Gifts
- Double, or even triple, your gift to Duke by having your employer match your donation! Thousands of companies offer to match their employee's charitable contributions. Some require forms to be completed by the employee, others have automated programs that only require a phone call. Read More
Pledges
- Make an Online Pledge
- Make an online pledge to be paid out over a few years. Please contact Elizabeth Perez at 919.681-2849 for more information on making a pledge or click here to make your pledge online.