Can I make a gift in installments?

Yes, and it’s easy when you make an online gift via our secure online giving form. Check the box that says, “I would like to make monthly or yearly payments.”

Will my gift make a difference?

Yes. Every gift makes a difference, especially from alumni. Annual gifts of any size, particularly those made to the Samford Fund (Samford’s general fund), play an important role in helping Samford continue to provide an excellent liberal arts education, spiritual development and academic freedom informed by a framework of faith. Alumni gifts of any size show support of your alma mater and help the university secure gifts from foundations and corporations.

What are the tax benefits of making a gift to Samford University?

Samford University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Your gift to Samford is tax deductible as allowed by law. A receipt will be issued for your gift.

When should I send my year-end gift to count for the current tax year?

Year-end gifts must be postmarked December 31 to be recorded in that tax year. The same is not true for gifts being made to count within the university’s fiscal giving cycle, July 1–June 30. Your gift must be received prior to June 30 to be applied to the current fiscal year.

Year-end credit card gifts must be submitted by midnight, December 31 in order to be recorded in the current tax year.

How will I receive my tax receipt?

Tax receipts will be sent to the email address associated with the donor’s record. If no email address is on file for the donor, a receipt will be mailed to the physical address on file. You can update your contact information here.

How much control can I have over the use of my gift?

You have the ability to designate your gift to the area you want to support. Gifts may support anything from the Samford Fund, which is used to address the university's most pressing needs; a specific college; a specific department; scholarships; the library…it all depends on where you choose your gift to go. You may indicate your fund(s) of choice in the memo line of a check or by selecting option(s) from the designate box located on our secure online giving form.

What is The Samford Fund?

The university’s highest priority for annual giving, it is the means by which Samford alumni, parents and friends can most effectively contribute their financial support towards the university. Gifts to the Samford Fund are unrestricted and go to areas of highest impact. This fund makes up the difference between tuition and the actual cost of education.

What if the area I want to support isn't listed on the giving form and I don't know the specific name of the fund?

Select the ‘Other’ option from the Designation box on the secure online giving form, then describe as best you can in the text box provided. If you are giving via other means simply describe as best you can and we will contact you if we have any questions.

Do company matching gifts count toward donor recognition?

Yes! For example, when your gift of $500 is matched with $500 from your employer, you will be recognized at the $1,000 level. Check our database on our secure online giving form to see if your company has a matching gift program.