URI has entered its second century with pride in its many accomplishments. In an era of declining federal and state support for higher education, the generosity of friends and other supporters is especially important.

Gifts to the University may be outright gifts that will benefit the University at this time or planned gifts that will support URI in the future. Either type of gift can be given for a specific purpose (restricted) or for general use (unrestricted). Whether you are making an annual gift supporting the University's operating needs or a major gift supporting an endowment or capital project, there are many ways to contribute to URI.

Among the assets that can be given to the University are: Cash, Securities, Real Estate, and Gifts in Kind:

Cash: The most common way to make a gift is by check. For gifts to the Annual Fund, checks should made payable to the University of Rhode Island. Checks for gifts supporting endowments or capital projects, should be made payable to the URI Foundation. To ensure that your gift is used as you wish, please include a note stating your designation.

In making a gift to the University, donors also frequently use credit cards. Some simply call in their donation, while others specify that an automatic charge is to be made periodically. For more information about credit card giving, contact Teri Woodbine by telephone at 401-874-4505, or by email at twoodbine@advance.uri.edu.

Securities: Gifts of securities, such as stocks, bonds and mutual funds, can be a tax-advantaged way to support URI because they can be donated without paying any capital gains taxes. Moreover, if a donor has held such stocks for more than one year, he or she can claim a tax deduction based on the fair market value of the securities-even though they may have been purchased for only a fraction of that amount. Securities held less than one year also can be donated, qualifying for a deduction typically based on what the donor paid for them.

Gifts of securities typically involve publicly traded shares, such as those traded on the major exchanges, over-the-counter, and most common mutual funds. Gifts of privately held stock are also possible.

You may make a gift of securities to the URI Foundation, to The Fund for URI, or to URI Athletics.

Real Estate: Real estate gifts can be another tax-advantaged way to support URI since they can also be donated without paying any capital gains taxes. Moreover, if a donor has held the property for more than one year, he or she can claim a tax deduction based on its fair market value-even though it may have been purchased for a fraction of that amount. Property held less than one year may also be donated, qualifying for a deduction typically based on what the donor paid for it.

There are a variety ways in which real estate can be donated. It can be used to make an outright gift, allowing an endowment, capital project, or other needs to be funded right away. Or through Planned Giving, it can be used to fund a life income gift, paying the donor, and perhaps others, an income stream for life with the remainder being used to support URI. Also through Planned Giving, donors can contribute a remainder interest in a residence or a farm, enabling them to make a gift to URI today while still living in their house or on their farm for the rest of their lives.

While the requirements to make a real estate gift vary, depending on the type of gift being considered, at least three steps are typically required: an appraisal of the property's value; an assessment of any environmental risks posed by the property; and the preparation of a deed that actually transfers the property.

Gifts-in-Kind: Gifts of personal property can also provide valuable support to URI. Artwork antiques, books, and any other form of property can be important donations to the University, which has a great need for a wide variety of items.

Paintings, sculptures, and antiques beautify the campus and enhance students' artistic appreciation. Books and manuscripts add to the University Library collections. Musical instruments support our various musical programs. Equipment provides laboratories with the needed resources for students to test their knowledge.

The tax benefits for gifts-in-kind can be similar to gifts of money or securities. If the property is used for the University's educational mission, the donor can deduct the property's full fair market value, provided the donor has owned the property for more than a year. Otherwise, the donor can still deduct the property's cost basis, an amount that usually equals the price the donor paid for the property. In choosing to make a gift to URI, donors may also want to consider the following:

• Matching Gifts Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that they make available to employees, employee spouses, retirees, and board members. By following your company's guidelines, the value of your gift may be doubled or tripled.

  
  

• Memorial Gifts A gift made in celebration or in honor of a teacher, student, relative or friend is a generous and thoughtful gesture recognizing an individual's life and accomplishments.

When an honorary or memorial gift is made, the URI Foundation notifies the honoree or next of kin. To make an honorary gift, please send a letter indicating the purpose of your gift as well as the name and address of the honoree. For memorial gifts, if a memorial fund has not previously been established, your check should include the name of the honoree and the name and address of his/her next of kin.

The URI Foundation staff will work with you to find a creative way of giving that is beneficial to you, your family, and the University. They have years of experience and are pleased to explore possibilities with donors or with donors' legal or financial advisors.