Give Assets

Cash and publicly traded securities

Cash – The easiest way to give, cash gifts offer a tax deduction for the full amount of the gift in the year it is made. Pledges may be paid over a period of three to five years.

Publicly traded stocks or securities – Much like cash, gifts of stock are tax deductible at full fair market value if held for a year and a day. The donor is not taxed on long-term capital appreciation.

Gift plans like wills, trusts and annuities

There are many ways to structure your gifts to meet specific financial and estate-planning goals. Some plans even pay income back to you or someone you care about. These gift plans include bequests, IRAs, annuities and trusts.

Read more about gift plans that benefit you and strengthen the University.

Other types of property

Gifts of real estate, personal property, and non-publicly traded securities require formal acceptance by Bucknell’s gift acceptance committee.

Real estate – Real estate gifts avoid capital-gains tax. An appraisal establishes a property's fair-market value and resulting tax deduction. A donor may also sell a parcel to Bucknell for less than fair-market value and claim the difference as a charitable gift.

Personal property – Gifts related to Bucknell academic missions, such as books, art works, scientific or historical collections, generate tax deductions equal to fair-market value. Gifts of property unrelated to the University's purpose are deductible on the basis of their cost to the donor.

Non publicly traded securities – Private equity, closely held, S-Corp and other non-publicly traded securities may be appropriate gifts for Bucknell, either as immediate gifts or pledged for future contribution.

Matching gifts

Many employers will match your gift to Bucknell. Some may even double or triple it. Check your company's eligibility.