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Annual Giving

Home Annual Giving Annual Giving FAQs

Annual Giving FAQs

How can I make a gift?

Give Online
Give a monthly or one-time gift with your credit card through our secure online giving form.

Set Up Automatic Giving
Send a voided check and your giving preferences with your next gift to have your support automatically deducted from your checking account.

Mail Your Gift
Mail the printable giving form with your check or credit card number to:
University of Memphis Foundation
Department 238
PO Box 1000
Memphis, TN 38148-001

Give by Phone
Call 901.678.3953 (during business hours 8:00am-4:30pm CST) to give a reoccurring or one-time gift with your credit card over the phone.

Does the University of Memphis really need my gift? What about state funding, student tuition and the endowment?

While these sources contribute to the University's annual operating budget, its success depends heavily on the support of our alumni and friends. Even with these sources, we still need your gifts to provide a quality education for all who seek it.

I can't afford a big gift. Is there any point in me giving?

Large gifts are absolutely essential to the University's success. But, so are modest ones. The University of Memphis has more than 115,000 living alumni. When our gifts are combined, they make a significant impact for the University of Memphis.

How does my annual gift help the different colleges, departments, and programs?

The Memphis Fund at University of Memphis supports all colleges, departments, and programs. Your gift to the Memphis Fund goes where it is most needed. Also, when making your reoccurring annual gift, you have the opportunity to choose the college, department, program, or scholarship you would like to support.

I'm a graduate of University of Memphis. Why is my gift participation so important?

Your participation in annual giving helps safeguard the value of your degree. Annual gifts—no matter the size—add up and are an important income stream that underwrites school activities, ensures the school's fiscal health and continued excellence. Alumni participation in annual giving is measured against our peer schools. Your participation gifts also play a major role in encouraging large donors, corporations, and foundations to support the University.

Every gift makes a difference in its own right and helps to inspire other donors. Collectively, thousands of individual gifts enable us to provide scholarships, services, programs and facilities for our students.

All gifts help improve the quality of student life and enhance the overall college experience and institutional reputation.

Why should I make a gift and join the Alumni Association?

Your tax-deductible gift to the University supports the programs and priorities that benefit current students including financial aid, classroom equipment, and experience enriching programs. Your gift helps transform University of Memphis students into skilled, professional graduates.

Alumni Association Memberships dues sponsor events such as the Homecoming parade, class reunions, NCAA pep rallies, and other Alumni activities and initiatives. Membership dues are not charitable contributions under IRS guidelines.

What is the difference between an annual, capital, endowed, and campaign gift?

Annual gifts are raised each year from alumni, parents and friends of the University of Memphis and are spent within the same fiscal year (if unrestricted). Annual gifts help provide funds to many of the programs and priorities on campus including financial aid, classroom equipment and experience enriching programs.

Capital gifts are normally larger one-time restricted gifts that go toward a specific project or building.

Your endowed gift is invested, and the investment income from the principle gift perpetually supports the University through underwritten scholarships, professorships, chairs, colleges, schools, and programs.

A campaign gift or pledge shows your support for the University and funds initiatives within the campaign case statement. Often, campaigns are comprehensive and any gift to the university counts as participation within the campaign.

How do I ensure I am listed on the Donor Honor Roll every year?

Each year, send at least one gift to support the University of Memphis between July 1 and June 30, and you will be acknowledged in the Donor Honor Roll within our Annual Report.

Can I make a gift in honor or in memory of someone?

Yes! A tribute gift may be in honor or in memory of a former professor, family member, friend, student, or colleague. An acknowledgement will be sent to the individual whom you are honoring. Family will be notified when a gift is made in memory of their loved one.

I think my employer offers a Matching Gift program. Should I participate?

Yes, it is easy to find out if you work for a Matching Gift employer. If you company matches gifts, your human resources office will provide you with a matching gift form to send in with your next gift. Many companies encourage their employees to make charitable contributions by matching their philanthropic support. At the University of Memphis, donors receive credit for their employers' matching gifts. Some companies offer a 1:1, 1:2, and even 1:3 match, transforming your $50 annual gift into a $200 gift!

What is the Phonathon?

The Phonathon consists of a dedicated team of student employees who call alumni, parents and friends of the University year-round to help raise support for academic initiatives at the University of Memphis.

What is the fiscal year for University of Memphis?

Our fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.

When does Annual Giving ask for support?

You have the opportunity to give anytime by mailing a check, giving online, over the phone or by setting up an automatic reoccurring gift. We send multiple direct mail appeals each year and student Phonathon callers look forward to speaking with you all year.

I'm retired and am now on a fixed income, and I can't give a cash gift. What is the best way for me to support the University?

A planned gift is a wonderful way to support the University. Many donors use stock, bonds, or real estate that are generating little or no income at all to fund a charitable gift annuity that will provide a steady, guaranteed income stream for life. You might also consider including the University in your trust or will. Finally, it is very easy to make the University of Memphis Foundation a beneficiary of a retirement plan or an insurance policy. If any of these interest you, please contact Planned Giving, to get started.

Are there non-monetary ways I can support the University of Memphis?

Absolutely! Whether it's recommending a student to University of Memphis, setting up a summer internship at the company where you work, telling others about your positive experiences at University of Memphis, or cheering on Tiger athletic teams and academic clubs, we appreciate your support.

I have a different question not on this list.

Please contact Annual Giving at umannualgiving@memphis.edu or 901.678.5664 (during business hours 8:00am-4:30pm CST). We are happy to answer your questions.