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Ways to Give
Mississippi College welcomes gifts in many forms. Whether you have a one time pledge, want to give annually, or are planning long-term with your personal financial advisors, we have options for you.
- Some donors honor the College through bequests, charitable trusts, gift annuities or other long-term Planned Giving.
- The College recognizes several levels of contributions through our Giving Societies. Give anywhere from $1 to more than $10,000.
We make giving to MC simple, convenient, and secure with many ways to pledge and process your contributions. Listed below are the most common methods.
If you do not see the information you need, feel free to contact the Office of Advancement at 601-925-3257.
Cash
Cash, in the form of personal checks, is the most popular type of charitable gift we receive.
Cash contributions are deductible and result in tax savings. Checks should be made payable
to Mississippi College and mailed to the Mississippi College, Box 4005, Clinton, MS 39058.
Be sure to indicate the purpose of your gift on the check or in a cover letter.
If you itemize deductions on your federal tax return, you may claim an outright gift of
cash as a charitable contribution up to an amount equal to 50 percent of your adjusted
gross income. Any deduction not usable in the first year can be carried over for up to
five additional years or until it is completely used, whichever is first.
The Office of Advancement will gladly accept cash gifts. We do not recommend, however,
that you mail cash via any postal service or courier. To make a contribution using cash,
please bring it directly to our office during regular business hours (Monday through
Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.) at 300 Nelson Hall.
When paying by check, regardless of the designation of your donation, the check should
be made payable to Mississippi College. For example, if you want to make a gift to the
Biology Department or to the New Dawn campaign for the Men's Residence Hall, simply make
your check payable to Mississippi College. Then, in the memo section of your check
(lower left corner), write in the area or designation of your gift. Or, if you prefer,
include a quick note telling us how to designate your gift. Then, mail your donation to:
Office of Advancement
Mississippi College
Box 4005
Clinton, MS 39058
Special Note: To make a memorial or honorary gift by cash or check, first, follow the
instructions above. Second, attach a note that includes the name of the person you are
memorializing or honoring, and the family contact name and address (for memorials) or
the individual's name and address (for honorary gifts). We will be sure
the family/individual is notified of your thoughtfulness.
For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Credit Card
To make a donation by credit card, the Office of Advancement needs your name,
the name printed on the card, the credit card number, card type (Visa or MasterCard),
expiration date, and the amount of your donation. We will also need the area or
designation of your gift. MC is very concerned with credit card fraud and stolen
card numbers. Should you feel uneasy about including your card number on materials
to be mailed or faxed, you can call us at 601-925-3257. We will gladly take your
donation by phone.
For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Electronic Bank Draft
Through electronic transfer, Mississippi College offers you the opportunity to
make your gift without writing a check. With your authorization, on the same day
each month (usually on or about the 15th of each month) we will automatically debit
your checking account in the amount you designate. At any time you desire, you may
change or cancel your authorization -- you retain control throughout the process!
There is a long list of advantages for establishing bank drafts including: convenience --
you don't have to spend time writing and mailing checks; it's easier to reconcile your
bank account; you save money on postage and check charges; you don't have to worry about
your gift getting "lost in the mail;" and most important -- it's safe and free.
For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Matching Gifts
Thousands of companies offer to match their employees' charitable contributions.
Some require forms to be completed by the employee, while others have automated
programs that only require a phone call.
Most corporations have guidelines that the non-profit organization and employee
must meet before a donation can be matched. Your company's Benefits or Human
Resources Department can give you more information about their program and
should also have the proper forms to complete.
Mail your form, along with your contribution, to the Office of Advancement.
We will verify your matching gift eligibility and return the form to your
employer. For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Payroll Deduction
Mississippi College employees are eligible to make charitable contributions
to MC via payroll deduction. You may choose any amount of deduction and
designation of your gift. For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Personal Property or Real Estate
You can give real estate as a current gift or a planned gift (retained life estate,
gifts through your will.) As a current gift of real estate held long term, the
donation provides you with a charitable deduction for the full fair market value
of the gift, up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income. You will need to
have your gift appraised by an independent appraiser to determine the value of
your deduction.
All gifts of real estate are first evaluated by the University for marketability
and potential environmental concerns. Before accepting a gift of real estate,
the University asks that you supply detailed information on the property.
For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Stocks and Securities
A transfer of securities (stocks or bonds) held long term to the Mississippi
College allows you to make a gift and receive a charitable deduction equal to
the full fair market value of the securities. You pay no capital gains tax on
your gift and neither does the College.
The best method of transferring these assets to the foundation depends on how
they are held by you. Please contact Mississippi College first for help with
the easiest method of transferring assets. Avoid selling the assets and then
making a gift of the proceeds, because this will trigger a capital gains liability for you.
You may deduct the value of these securities for up to 30 percent of your
adjusted gross income. Any excess can be carried over for an additional five
years if necessary. For more information, please contact 601-925-3257.
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Gifts In-Kind
A gift other than cash or negotiable instrument is referred to as a gift-in-kind. Such a gift can be in the form of services, equipment, commodities, artifacts, supplies, land, etc. Donors interested in giving a gift in-kind should consult the appropriate department where they would like to give the gift. If the gift is for the overall use of the University, please contact the Office of Advancement.
The Office of Advancement should be notified immediately when a department receives and in-kind gift. Complete written documentation from the donor (donor name, address, description of gift, and amount) is to be delivered to the Office of Advancement within three working days of the receipt of the gift. When the Advancement Office receives the documentation, it will be forwarded to the Vice President for Business Affairs for approval to accept the gift.
In-kind gifts are accepted only after the usefulness of the gift to Mississippi College has been determined. If the gift cannot be used in the best interest of the University, the donor will be notified. Once the in-kind gift is deemed acceptable, the gift documentation will be returned to the Advancement Office for gift receipting.
The donor is responsible for having the gift appraised. IRS regulations must be followed and IRS form 8283 completed if the appraised value is $5,000 or more. Subsequent sale of property at less than 80% of appraised value within 24 months following gift receipt date will result in filing of IRS for 8282. IRS regulations do not allow the University to place an amount on a gift in-kind, only to state that the gift was given.
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