Cash Gifts

Cash – and cash equivalents such as checks and credit cards – immediately benefit Iowa State, and is often the most convenient and easiest form of giving. Simply follow these instructions to make a gift today!

Make a gift online
Send a check 

  • Print out this gift form and mail it with your check to:
    Iowa State University Foundation
    2505 University Blvd
    P.O. Box 2230
    Ames, IA 50010-2230

Set up an electronic funds transfer

  • Print this gift form and mail it to the same address. 


Non-Cash Gifts

Pledges
  • Instead of paying the sum of your gift all at once, pledges allow you to pay the total over time. Terms for pledges are typically within five years.
  • Employees of Iowa State University can make a pledge gift by completing a payroll deduction form.
  • Make a pledge today! Print out this pledge form and send it to us.
    • In the mail:
      Iowa State University Foundation
      2505 University Boulevard
      P.O. Box 2230
      Ames, Iowa 50010-2230
    • By fax:
      515.294.4648
Stocks, Bonds or Mutual Funds
  • Gifts of stocks, bonds or mutual funds may be donated as outright gifts or as a pledge payment. When you make a gift of securities, your income tax deduction is equal to the fair market value of the securities, and you may avoid capital gains taxes on the transfer.
  • Stock
    • If your stock is held by a bank or broker, please notify the Iowa State University Foundation in advance by contacting Michele Overturf at moverturf@foundation.iastate.edu. Without this information, the stock could be transferred to us without any way of knowing you made the gift, making it difficult to give you the proper tax credit and recognition you deserve.
    • If you hold the physical stock certificates yourself, mail them and a completed stock power form in separate envelopes (by certified mail) on the same day to:
      Iowa State University Foundation
      2505 University Blvd.
      PO Box 2230
      Ames, IA 50010-2230
  • Mutual funds
    • Plan ahead when making a gift using shares of mutual funds. Since the mutual fund transfer process varies by company, please contact Michele Overturf at moverturf@foundation.iastate.edu to obtain the applicable transfer instructions.  The transfer process takes longer than a stock transfer, so please allow four to six weeks for the transaction to be completed. If you are planning on making a year-end gift, please start the process in early November.
Gifts of Grain
  • For farm operators, gifting grain directly, rather than selling the grain and making a gift from the proceeds, may provide a more significant tax savings. To learn more about gifts of grain, click here.
  • Make a gift of grain today!
Gifts-In-Kind
  • Gifts-in-kind are items of property such as art, books, computer equipment, patents or livestock. When donated for related educational purposes, they are recognized at their fair market value. An independent appraisal may be required for gifts-in-kind valued at more than $5,000.
  • As these gifts can be complex and require special consideration, please contact Shawnna Murphy at slmurphy@foundation.iastate.edu.
Real Estate
  • Real estate can be donated as a current gift or a gift through your estate. It also may be given to finance a life income gift such as a charitable remainder trust.
  • All gifts of real estate – such as a residence, farm, undeveloped land, vacation home or commercial property – should be discussed with our office of gift planning.

Estate Gifts

If you've included Iowa State as beneficiary of your estate, trust or retirement fund, please share your plans with us by completing this statement of intent form and contacting Rob Kinsey at rlkinsey@foundation.iastate.edu. By sharing your plans, we will be able to document your gift along with your specified purpose, allowing us to use your gift as intended.

If you want to include Iowa State University as part of your estate, it’s as simple as including this language in your will. 

 

Matching Gifts

As a donor to Iowa State University, you may be able to double or triple the impact of your gifts if your employer offers a matching gift program. Find out if your company will match your contribution here.

 

Donor Confidentiality

We encourage our donors to allow their gifts to be publicized, as this can motivate others to also step up in support. We also understand you may want to keep your giving private. If that is the case, please fill out a donor confidentiality request .