What to Give

Gifts of Stocks and Bonds

• Donating appreciated securities, including stocks or bonds, is an easy and tax-effective way for you to make a gift to UNF.

  Benefits of gifts of stocks and bonds

  • Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of appreciated stock
  • Receive a charitable income tax deduction
  • Support students at UNF

  How to make a gift of stocks and bonds

  By electronic transfer - Please contact us for instructions on how you can transfer stock or bonds from your brokerage or investment account to The University of North Florida.

  By certified mail - If you hold securities in certificate form, you will need to mail two envelopes separately to complete your gift. In the first envelope, place the unsigned stock certificate(s). In the other envelope, include a signed stock power for each certificate. You may obtain this power from your broker or bank. Please remember to use certified mail.

  More on gifts of stocks and bonds

  There are special rules for valuing a gift of stock. The value of a charitable gift of stock is determined by taking the mean between the high and low stock price on the date of the gift. Mutual fund shares are valued using the closing price for the fund on the date of the gift.

Gifts of Real Estate

• Donating appreciated real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, farmland, ranch or commercial property can make a great gift to UNF.

  Benefits of gifts of real estate

  • Avoid paying capital gains tax on the sale of the real estate
  • Receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the value of the gift
  • Leave a lasting legacy to The University of North Florida

  How to make a gift of real estate

  Your real property may be given to The University of North Florida by executing or signing a deed transferring ownership. You may deed part or all of your real property to The University of North Florida. Your gift will generally be based on the property's fair market value, which must be established by an independent appraisal.

  Additional Information

  Difficult and Mortgaged Property and Gifts - Certain properties pose challenges; indebtedness can affect your charitable tax deduction. We have adopted policies to limit the acceptance of certain kinds of real estate. Please check with us before making a gift of real estate so we can explain our gift acceptance policies.

  Capital Gains Tax - Check with us on the capital gains tax implications of your gift. You may also be interested in life income options.

Gifts of Retirement Assets

• Donating part or all of your unused retirement assets such as a gift from your IRA, 401(k), 403(b), pension or other tax-deferred plan is an excellent way to make a gift to UNF.

  Benefits of gifts of retirement assets

  • Avoid potential estate tax on retirement assets
  • Your heirs would avoid income tax on any retirement assets funded on a pre-tax basis
  • Receive potential estate tax savings from an estate tax deduction

  How to make a gift of retirement assets

  To leave your retirement assets to The University of North Florida, you will need to complete a beneficiary designation form provided by your retirement plan custodian. If you designate The University of North Florida as beneficiary, we will benefit from the full value of your gift because your IRA assets will not be taxed at the time you graduate this life. Your estate will benefit from an estate tax charitable deduction for the gift.

  More on gifts of retirement assets

  Did you know that 60%-70% of your retirement assets may be taxed if you leave them to your heirs at your death? Another option is to leave your heirs assets that receive a step up in basis, such as real estate and stock, and give the retirement assets to The University of North Florida. As a non-profit organization, we are not taxed upon receiving an IRA or other retirement plan assets.

  Please let us know if you have already included The University of North Florida as a beneficiary of your retirement assets. We would like to thank you and recognize you for your gift.

Gifts of Cash

• A gift of cash is a simple and easy way for you to make a gift.

  Benefits of gifts of cash

  • You can make an immediate impact on our mission
  • You can take a charitable income tax deduction

  How to make a gift of cash

  Online gifts of cash - Please visit the UNF giving page. Your gift will be processed quickly and safely using our secure server.

  Mailing a gift of cash - You can send us a check or money order. Please let us know if you want your gift used for a specific purpose by indicating that purpose either in the memo line or in a letter to us.

  More on gifts of cash

  Did you know that you can mail a check on December 31st and, even if the check is not received and cashed by The University of North Florida until after the new year, the IRS will allow you to take a deduction in the year the check was mailed? Keep this in mind for year-end tax planning!

   

Gifts of Business Interests

• As a business owner, you have the opportunity not only to build your business and accumulate wealth for yourself and your family, but also to accomplish your philanthropic goals through charitable planning. A gift of your corporate stock or assets can provide you with tax and income benefits and help further our mission.

  Benefits of gifts of business interests

  • Receive a charitable income tax deduction
  • Avoid tax on the sale of your business stock or assets
  • Receive lifetime payments if your business stock or assets are used to fund a planned gift

  How gifts of closely held stock work

  1. Give a percentage of your voting or non-voting shares in your business to us outright and receive an income tax deduction. We will hold your shares for a future sale or redemption and can use any dividends paid for our charitable purpose.
  2. If your corporation is an S corporation, there are special rules that apply to gifts of corporate stock. Please contact us to discuss the most tax-efficient way to structure your stock gift.

  How gifts of business assets work

  1. If your business makes a gift of a non-inventory asset, it will receive a charitable income tax deduction based on the appraised fair market value of the asset.
  2. The income tax deduction for a gift from a business is limited to 10% of the corporation's taxable income. Your business may carry forward any unused deduction up to five years.
  3. If your business is an S corporation, the charitable deduction will flow through to the shareholders in proportion to their ownership interest. Check with us on the most tax-efficient way to make a gift of corporate assets from your business

   

  Additional Information

  Business Succession Planning and UNF - When you are ready to sell your business, before you sign a binding agreement, consider a charitable gift to reduce or completely avoid capital gains on the sale. If you give enough of an interest in your business to us or a donor advised fund, you can use the resulting charitable income tax deduction to offset part or all of the capital gains on the interest you retain and sell.

  Tax Planning Strategies for Business Owners - If you would like to sell your business and receive income, ask us how you can transfer part or all of your business stock or assets to fund a charitable remainder trust. The trust will sell your business interest tax-free and pay you (and your spouse) income for life. You will receive a charitable income tax deduction to further offset any capital gains.