Southwestern University strongly encourages you to consult with your own financial and legal advisors regarding the use of these charitable gift vehicles. Southwestern's development staff is ready and willing to provide you and your advisors with the information necessary for you to make sound decisions regarding your philanthropic goals.

Donor Bill of Rights

These are your rights as a donor to Southwestern.

Gift Acceptance Guidelines

These are guidelines to be used by the Board of Trustees to evaluate prospective gifts. In its discretion, the Board may depart from one or more of these policies based on the circumstances of a particular gift, and the Board retains its right to refuse any gift.

Gifts of Cash

The simplest way to make a gift to Southwestern is to write a check made payable to "Southwestern University."

Gifts of Securities

Giving stocks and bonds that have increased in value (and that you have owned for more than one year) provides even greater tax benefits than giving cash.

Transfer Instructions for Securities Held In Custody With Brokerage Firm Or Bank

If your stock is held in custody with a brokerage firm or bank trust department, you can make a direct transfer of the securities from the custodian firm or bank to Southwestern's account at Regions Bank/Trust Group. You should instruct the holding institution to make a direct transfer, known as a "DTC" with the following instructions.

Gifts of Real Estate

A gift of real estate to Southwestern University provides a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the gift - up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income if you have held it for more than six months - with the usual five-year carryover.

Gifts of Personal Property

Donations of artwork, books, equipment, collections, antiques, and other personal property are sometimes appropriate gifts to Southwestern.

Deed of Gift

A. Frank Smith, Jr. Library Center Gift Acceptance Policy

Bequests

Naming Southwestern University as a beneficiary in your estate plan is a simple and lasting way to acknowledge the University's role in your life.

Gifts of Life Insurance

Naming Southwestern as owner and beneficiary of a paid-up life insurance policy entitles you to a deduction equal to your cost basis in the policy, or its replacement cost, whichever is less.

Gifts with Life Income

Gifts that return income to the donor are excellent vehicles for retirement and overall financial planning.