How to Give

How to give to the University of New Hampshire

Cash Gifts

The simplest way to support the University is with a cash gift. Send your personal check to the UNH Foundation, John S. Elliott Alumni Center, Durham, NH 03824. Please make your check payable to the UNH Foundation. Cash gifts are tax deductible according to federal law. You may also make a gift with a credit card, or use the online giving form on this Web site. Many companies match cash gifts. Please check with your employer, or click here to check online.

For more information: Contact the Annual Giving office, (603) 862-0313, or e-mail. Click here to make a secure gift online.

Term Scholarships Help Our Neediest Students

Nearly 30 percent of our students are the first in their families to graduate from college or come from families earning less than $30,000 per year. As much as they plan ahead, these students and their families struggle in order to afford a college education.

The gap between the cost of attending the University of New Hampshire and a family’s’ ability to afford it - even with financial aid factored in - is growing at a stunning and unsustainable rate. Our students graduate with an average college loan debt of $32,000– the highest in the nation among public universities.

You can help.

We frequently hear from people just like you that they want to help, but they think a small investment will not make a difference. But it does. Last year, 28 donors just like you stepped up to the plate and helped to make a college education possible for 28 students. Here’s what some of them wrote to their donors:

“It’s difficult for my parents to help me pay for college; I have to pay my whole way through. I hope to be just like you and give back to the community and to help the newest generations get their education that they dream of too.”

“Your gift has lifted so much weight off of not only my shoulders, but the shoulders of my parents. I hope one day in the future I will be able to show you how much your award has done for me.”

“I will do my best in my studies to show you that you made an excellent decision in awarding me this scholarship.”

A $5,000 annual commitment from you – for as little as three years - can fund a term scholarship that will help our neediest students. And, your gift does not replace financial aid; it is used in addition to any financial assistance.

Through your generosity, you become part of our leadership circle - a special group of alumni and friends who play an important role in the financial health of UNH. As a member of this circle you will receive a variety of benefits including invitations to exclusive events and special communications. And all gifts over $5,000 will be permanently memorialized at the conclusion of our upcoming comprehensive campaign.

Please act now, by the close of our fiscal year, June 30, and in time for this scholarship to be awarded to a deserving student by the fall term. Call (603) 862-4495 today. And thank you.

Match UP Scholarship Program

The Match UP Scholarship Program enables donors to create new scholarships for the neediest students—with twice the normal giving power. Here's how it works: A donor gives $50,000 to create an endowed fund, generating a $2,000 scholarship, which UNH then matches.

We wanted to recognize that we have been the recipients of generous private gifts and public financial aid for our undergraduate and graduate education, and also recognize the contribution of UNH to our family. I hope that others at UNH will see this as an opportunity to give back and to support an institution of higher education that has a deep commitment to excellent education, research and service.

Jan Nisbet, Match UP donor and UNH Senior Vice Provost for Research

Today, 30 percent of UNH students are the first in their families to attend college. Many come from families earning $30,000 or less. They require a substantial institutional investment in order to afford a university education. For many students who already have received a Match UP scholarship, it has meant the difference between going to college and not attending at all.

“It is difficult for my parents to help me pay for college; I have to pay my whole way through. I hope to be just like you and give back to the community and to help the newest generations get their education that they dream of too.”

Excerpt from a student scholarship recipient to her Match UP donor

The gap between the cost of attending UNH and a family’s’ ability to afford it is growing at an unsustainable rate, even with financial aid factored in. UNH students are graduating with greater burdens of debt: the average college loan debt is now $32,000– the highest in the nation among public universities. Imagine the dilemma facing the promising young man or woman whose family has so much financial anxiety in the present that they cannot consider investing in the future.

How You Can Help

Establish a financial need-based scholarship for students. The Match UP Scholarship Program allows donors to establish an endowed scholarship for $50,000. The impact of your gift will be doubled with funding provided by the University. This means a student will receive a $4,000 scholarship award.

Appreciated Securities

A gift of appreciated securities provides an income tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the donated securities. Capital gains taxes may also be avoided on the transfer.

For more information: Contact Edward K. Roundy ’72, ’78G, Vice President and Treasurer, at (603) 862-2606 or e-mail. Click here for information about how to transfer securities.

Real and Personal Property

Land or other real property may be given to the Foundation as an outright gift or used as an asset within a charitable trust. You may also opt to donate a home and retain the right to occupy the property throughout one’s lifetime. Personal property, such as paintings or rare books, may also be contributed. If you are interested in discussing the advantages of such a gift, please contact Carol Cooper, Senior Stewardship Specialist, at (603) 862-0527.

Gift Planning

Planned gifts, such as charitable remainder trusts and gifts to the UNH Foundation Pooled Income Fund, benefit the University and can provide you with income for life. You may also enjoy significant benefits, including tax deductions, avoidance of capital gains taxes, and increased income. For more information on gift planning, please contact Paul Racioppi, Associate Director of Gift Planning, at (603) 862-1955.

Bequests

A gift to the University in a will allows you to make a substantial contribution to the University without diminishing available assets. A bequest can also significantly reduce estate taxes.

Pooled Income Fund

Gifts of $5,000 or more to the Foundation's Pooled Income Fund are invested together with gifts of other donors, and the annual income is shared among participants throughout their lifetimes. Participants incur no capital gain on appreciated securities transferred to the fund, and receive a charitable deduction for a portion of the gift.

Charitable Trusts

Irrevocable charitable trusts can provide an income for life that varies with the type and assets of the trust. Part of the trust qualifies for an income tax deduction. At the death of the last beneficiary, the remainder of the trust is distributed to the University for the purpose selected by the donor.

Life Insurance

A life insurance policy is deductible as a charitable contribution. Premiums paid after the gift is made are also tax deductible.

Matching Gifts

Your employer may have a matching gift program. Click here to find out if your employer matches gifts to UNH. When an employee makes a charitable contribution, the company matches the donation and forwards the check to the UNH Foundation directly. You must ask your human resources department about the availability of this program.

Matching gift instructions:

Obtain a matching gift form from your employer. (Please check with your human resources department).
Fill out completely and mail to: UNH Foundation, Inc., University Advancement, Elliott Alumni Center, 9 Edgewood Road, Durham, NH 03824-1934.

See your company’s matching gift form for full information on matching gift eligibility and program limitations.

Memorials and Tributes

Gifts can be made to the University to memorialize a person or event. These gifts may take a variety of forms that are both meaningful and appropriate, including donations for scholarship support, contributions of books or special collections for the Library, and gifts of art or equipment. In addition, the University provides opportunities for donors to contribute for campus beautification projects such as tree planting or bench installation.

UNH Foundation