There are many ways you can make a gift:

Cash - The most common gift is cash.  Your gift might be provided in one lump sum or pledged over a period of time.

Securities - Gifts of appreciated securities often offer tax benefits to the donor beyond the traditional tax deduction.  You may avoid capital gains taxes with your gift of appreciated securities.

Real Estate - Often receiving similar tax benefits as securities, gifts of homes, farms or other real property can greatly benefit your academic program or the College.  The OU Foundation will work with the donor to ensure there are no restrictions placed on selling the property or other claims against the property.
 
Life Insurance - Life insurance policies that name the OU Foundation as the sole owner and beneficiary are excellent ways of supporting the College.
 
Gifts-in-Kind - Appropriate tangible property is another way of supporting a specific endeavor at the College.

Corporate Matching Gifts - Your gift may go even further if your company matches your gift.  Check with your Human Resources department to see if your company participates and for the proper documentation.
 
Memorial Gifts - Regardless of what is used to fund a gift, honoring a family member, friend or professor with a gift to the College in that person’s name is a wonderful tribute.
 
Planned Gifts - In addition to outright gifts, planned gifts from your estate are excellent ways to make larger gifts, while enjoying significant benefits to you and your heirs.  Many of these gifts can create income during your lifetime, while benefiting the College after your passing.  As with outright gifts, a variety of items can be used to fund estate gifts, including cash, securities, real estate and insurance.
 
The most common tool to make an estate gift is a Will, in which a specific dollar amount, a percentage of the estate or a specific item is designated to the program you wish to support.  A trust is an excellent way to manage charitable giving from your estate, and Charitable Remainder Trusts offer income to you during your lifetime.  Retained Life Estates allow you to maintain possession of your home or farm during your or your spouse’s lifetime, then ownership is passed to the OU Foundation upon your death.
 
As you work with your financial advisor and attorney to establish a Will or Trust, please communicate with the College Development Office for specific language that will assure that your wishes will be followed.

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