For information on starting a scholarship, please see How to Create a Scholarship.

Major gift options include those of cash, securities, life insurance, real estate and/or bequests.

Gifts of Cash. Cash gifts can be restricted to scholarships, awards or the association's general operating funds. Gifts by check must be made payable to SFA Alumni Association.

Gifts of Securities. The SFA Alumni Association prefers liquidation of securities before giving. The association combines securities with its current portfolio which is managed by a professional investment firm.

Gifts of Life Insurance. Life insurance is a good giving vehicle, and can be tax-deductible. Various IRS rules and regulations apply.

--Fully paid policy. A person can donate a fully paid policy that names the SFA Alumni Association as irrevocable owner and beneficiary.
--Policy on which premiums are still owed.
--New policy. Name the SFA Alumni Association as irrevocable owner and beneficiary.

Gifts of Real Estate. The SFA Alumni Association prefers liquidation of real estate prior to giving. If real estate is donated, the association will liquidate it immediately upon receiving.

Bequests. Bequests are gifts that result from an individual's will. Bequests can include a gift of personal assets, a specific dollar amount or a percentage of an individual's estate. A person can request that a portion of his/her estate be given after beneficiaries have received their specified distribution. A special brochure on specific wording to use in wills is available from the SFA Alumni Association upon request.

Matching Gift Programs. Cash gifts can be doubled or even tripled through matching gift programs where certain companies and organizations match contributions from their employers to the university. People should check with their company's human resource department for matching gift forms.

Planned Giving Advantages.

--Reduce or eliminate capital gains on contributions of appreciated assets and/or federal estate taxes.
--Generate federal income tax deductions.
--Provide returns based upon the full fair market value of appreciated assets without reduction by capital gains taxes.
--Complement retirement and financial planning.
--Establish a generous charitable contribution.

For questions or additional information on giving, contact the SFA Alumni Association at SFA Box 6096, Nacogdoches, Texas 75962; (800) 765-1534; (936) 468-3407 - office; (936) 468-1007 - FAX; or e-mail SFA Alumni Association.

This section on giving is intended to provide general information only, not legal or tax advice about specific giving opportunities. Donors should always check with their financial advisor for legal and tax matters before making a gift to the university and/or Alumni Association.