Ways to Give
Cash
A gift of cash is a direct way to support programs at Mercyhurst College. Gifts through check, money order and credit card are accepted. Credit cards that are accepted include Visa, Mastercard, Discover and American Express.
Matching Gifts
Many corporations and businesses have programs that match employee gifts of cash. Some even include gifts from spouses, directors and retired employees. Exploring this possibility can double or even triple a gift in some cases. We urge you to ask your human resources office about it or ask for a listing that we can send to you.
Appreciated Property
Gifts of long-term appreciated property can be especially beneficial to both you and Mercyhurst College. Examples of appreciated property include securities, as well as residential and commercial real estate. You are allowed a charitable deduction based on the property's fair market value and you pay no capital gains tax if and when the property is sold by the college. Therefore, the value of your gift will likely be considerable more than its cost to you.
Normally, the charitable deduction for gifts of appreciated property is limited to 30 percent of your income, but may carry forward and use any excess deduction in up to five years.
Publicly Traded Securities
Gifts of publicly traded securities that have appreciated in value allow you to claim a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the securities on the date the gift is made. There is no capital gains tax on the appreciation.
How to transfer securities to Mercyhurst College:
If you have securities that are held by a broker, you can conveniently transfer them to Mercyhurst. Ask your broker to contact the college's advancement office at (814) 824-2245 to arrange for an electronic transfer.
If you hold the stock certificates, you can send them by registered mail or have them hand delivered to:
Mercyhurst College
Advancement Office
501 E. 38th St.
Erie, PA 16546
If you send certificates by mail, please leave them unsigned and send a signed stock power for each issue in a separate envelope. Stock powers may be obtained from a brokerage house or the college. The signature(s) on the stock power must correspond with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate, in every respect, without alterations.
Bequests
You may make a gift of cash, securities, real estate or other assets by providing in your will or trust for a bequest to Mercyhurst. Your gift may be a specific bequest of a designated sum or may be a percentage of your residuary estate.
The value of your bequest to Mercyhurst is fully deductible for estate tax purposes. You may also establish an income-producing planned gift for the benefit of others through your will, thereby reducing your taxable estate. A bequest can be a useful and advantageous addition to your estate plan, whether outright or to fund a planned gift.
Endowment Funds
Endowment funds are wonderful ways to support Mercyhurst College. An endowed gift is one in which the original principal is never invaded; the gift exists in perpetuity.