Development: Making
a Gift
There are a variety of ways to make a charitable contribution to Fitchburg State College.
How to make a gift to Fitchburg State College
Making a Gift by Check
Checks should be sent to:
Fitchburg State College Foundation, Inc.
160 Pearl St.
Fitchburg, MA 01420
Making a Gift by Credit Card
Fitchburg State College accepts VISA, MasterCard, Discover, and American Express. To make a contribution by credit card over the telephone, please contact the Office of Development at 978-665-4555. You can also make your gift online by clicking the button below.
Types of Gifts
Matching Gifts
You may be able to double or triple your gift to Fitchburg State College through your employer’s matching gift program. Companies that participate in these programs will provide their employees with matching gift forms to complete and include with their contribution or pledge form.
Gifts of Appreciated Securities
Gifts of appreciated securities are a tax effective way to support Fitchburg State College. When you donate appreciated stock to Fitchburg State, you can avoid capital gain taxes that you would be responsible for if you sold the asset. Additionally, if you have owned the securities for more than one year, you can also receive an income tax charitable deduction for the fair market value. These benefits make donating appreciated securities a favorable alternative to giving cash.
Real and Personal Property
Land or other real estate may be given to the College as an outright gift or used as an asset within a charitable trust. Personal property, such as artwork or rare books, can also be contributed. Since it is sometime difficult to determine the College’s needs for donated personal property, each case will be reviewed individually.
Planned Gifts
Planned gifts benefit both the donor and the College. These gifts, which can be planned through your financial advisors and the College staff, provide significant benefits including tax deductions, avoidance of capital gains taxes and increased income.
Bequests
Bequests, the most common way for donors to provide for the future of Fitchburg State College, offer several advantages. A donor may be able to make a larger gift than otherwise possible and the estate may save on estate taxes. You may designate a bequest for a specific purpose or it can be placed into an unrestricted fund. An unrestricted bequest provides general support for Fitchburg State and allows the College to use the gift where it is most needed at the time. You can make a bequest by preparing a new will or revising your existing one.
Life Insurance
You may consider transferring ownership of a life insurance policy to the College. It is also possible to purchase a new policy and transfer ownership to the College.
Charitable Remainder Trust
A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable gift that provides specified fixed annual income for the donor, or, someone the donor designates, for life or a specific time period. When the trust is established, you select an annual payout rate, at a fixed dollar amount, and designate a trustee. At the conclusion of the income payments, or death of the last beneficiary, the principal is distributed to the College.
For more information, please contact Karen Sharpe, Director of Development at 978-665-4933 or ksharpe1@fsc.edu.
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