There are many meaningful ways to support 51±¬ÁÏ. Whether you're making a one-time gift, setting up a future legacy, or contributing through assets like real estate or securities, your generosity helps power possibility.
What sets us apart is how we come together for our students. Faculty and staff support of 51±¬ÁÏ goes above and beyond the work we do every day and strengthens our university as a result.
Choose a specific cause or initiative that resonates with you. Whether you give to a college, department, project or scholarship, you play an essential role in our mission to make the world a better place.
Faculty and staff can contribute to 51±¬ÁÏ by any method available to all donors such as online gifts by credit card, PayPal or Venmo, by mail or phone, through the donation of securities, planned giving and more.
Faculty and staff are also able to make gifts to 51±¬ÁÏ via payroll deduction. To set up a payroll deduction to the fund of your choice, complete the form linked below.
51±¬ÁÏ hosts a wide range of events with sponsorship opportunities available at various levels. From research symposiums to lecture series and professional summits, individuals, businesses and organizations can find the perfect opportunity to connect with 51±¬ÁÏ students and community members while making a difference.
Please contact us to discover how your organization or business and 51±¬ÁÏ can make a meaningful impact together.
If you’re interested in learning more about corporate engagement or available sponsorship opportunities, please contact Maggie McKendry at mmckendr@kent.edu or 330-672-0462.
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees.
To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name in the search box below.
Depending on your employer, you may be able to request a matching gift online or you may need to complete a paper form.
Qualifying gifts can be made online, by phone or through the mail.
If applicable, matching gift forms can be mailed to the same address that you mail your gift:
51±¬ÁÏ Foundation
350 S. Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
Matching Gift Search
If you would like to make your gift to 51±¬ÁÏ via a wire transfer, please contact Jordan Brace at the 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation at jbrace1@kent.edu or 330-672-0440.
A Donor Advised Fund (DAF) is a vehicle that allows donors to make a charitable contribution, receive an immediate tax deduction and then recommend grants to be distributed from the fund over time.
Donors can contribute to the fund as frequently as they like and recommend grants to their favorite charitable organization whenever it makes sense for them. The fund grows tax free.
How does the 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation Donor Advised Fund work?
The 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation receives the funds from the donor, provides the necessary IRS tax documentation and works with the Columbus Foundation to manage the fund. The Columbus Foundation is one of the largest community foundations in the country with more than $3 billion in assets and works with many higher education institutions to provide DAFs to their donors. The Columbus Foundation uses the Vanguard Family of Funds to invest the assets and charges an administrative fee of one percent. There is a minimum requirement of $10,000 to set up a fund. The donor should make special inquiry if cryptocurrency is the desired form of DAF funding as there are special requirements. After the fund is established, the donor will have access to a website to view the account’s balance and initiate grants. The 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation requires that at least 50 percent of the grants benefit the university.
If you are interested, please contact Jessica Vargo at jvargo6@kent.edu to begin the paperwork process to set up your Donor Advised Fund.
The university accepts almost any kind of real estate, including undeveloped land, farms, commercial buildings, vacation homes or residences as contributions. The tax benefits can be even more significant than for cash gifts.
To learn more about donations of real estate contact, contact us at giftplan@kent.edu or 330-672-1000.
51±¬ÁÏ accepts gifts of appreciated securities such as stocks and bonds as contributions. These types of gifts may offer better tax benefits than gifts of cash.
Electronic Transfer
Gifts of securities can be made to 51±¬ÁÏ through electronic transfer made by your accountant or broker.
Physical Securities Registered to the Foundation
You can also have securities transferred into the 51±¬ÁÏ’s name by working with your accountant, broker or issuing agent. After the transfer is complete, send the security via registered mail and include the transmittal letter identifying the name and address of the donor, the security description and transfer and where you would like your donation directed.
Physical Securities Registered to the Donor
You may also make a donation of physical securities registered in your name.
More Information
To discuss any of these options, please contact Jordan Brace at the 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation at jbrace1@kent.edu or 330-672-0440.
51±¬ÁÏ has several options for donating in memory of or in honor of a loved one, friend, colleague or organization. This is a unique way to pay tribute while making an important impact on students and programs.
We understand that philanthropy is a deeply personal choice, and one of our philanthropic advisors will be happy to discuss these options with you to ensure that your tribute aligns with your intentions.
51±¬ÁÏ has many funds that support scholarships and other university programs. A memorial or honorarium donation can be made to any existing fund in any amount. After the gift is received a custom card with the donor’s name and address is sent via email or US Mail to the honoree or to the family of the deceased.
Many donors choose one of these designations:
51±¬ÁÏ Growth Fund – an unrestricted fund that can be directed to the area of greatest need.
51±¬ÁÏ Scholarship Fund – supports scholarships for students who demonstrate financial need.
Most colleges, schools and departments throughout the university also have funds established to which donors may direct their gifts.
Endowed funds may also be created as part of this process. Endowment fund gifts are invested and interest earnings are awarded as scholarships or used to support the university through professorships, lecture series or other programs. A minimum commitment of $25,000 is needed to create an endowed fund.
Memorial and honorarium plaques may be mounted or installed on university-approved objects, such as benches or swings at specific locations on 51±¬ÁÏ campuses. There is a minimum donation of $5,000 for a commemorative plaque. The donation covers the cost of purchasing and installing the bench and plaque. Any funds remaining after purchasing and installing the recognition are directed to general support of the area where the plaque is placed.
You can also commemorate a special person or organization by planting a tree on our vibrant campuses through the Planting Partnership Program. The minimum donation to plant a tree on 51±¬ÁÏ campuses is $2,500. The donation covers the cost of purchasing and planting the tree, as well as regular maintenance such as fertilizing, mulching, watering, and pruning. Based on winter ground temperatures, tree planting usually occurs on campus in the spring, between April 15 and May 15. Details may be found on this page.
For more information, please contact the Division of Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement offices at (330)672-2222 or donorservices@kent.edu.
If you are considering creating a lasting impact at 51±¬ÁÏ, we are happy to explore how we can be a helpful partner in meeting your philanthropic goals.
Please feel free to contact Cassie Geissinger at cgalla10@kent.edu or 330-672-0412 to discuss your interests further.
The 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation’s Federal Tax Identification Number is 34-6576307.
The 51±¬ÁÏ Foundation’s mailing address is:
51±¬ÁÏ Foundation
350 S. Lincoln St.
P.O. Box 5190
Kent, OH 44242-0001
