Now it's easier than ever to support the University of Southern Maine with a charitable donation. One convenient way to give is to use your Visa or MasterCard. You will need your account number, expiration date, and three-digit security code.

Simply complete the online gift form to make your donation electronically. If you need further information, please contact Pauline Roux, director of Advancement and Donor Services, at (207) 780-4119 or e-mail: pauline@usm.maine.edu.

If you would prefer to mail your contribution, send it to:

University of Southern Maine
Advancement and Donor Services
P.O. Box 9300
Portland, ME 04104-9300

Securities

A gift of long-term appreciated securities enables you to receive an income tax deduction and eliminate capital gains to the extent allowed by tax law.

How to Transfer Securities to USM
Your broker can electronically transfer stocks to the University. For more information, contact Pauline Roux at (207) 780-4119 or pauline@usm.maine.edu or Karen Pelletier at (207) 780-4741 kpelletier@usm.maine.edu.

Charitable Gift Annuities

If you are 60 years old or older, a gift of highly appreciated or non-performing securities to create a charitable gift annuity can provide you with a much higher, fixed return on investment. A deferred gift annuity provides a wonderful opportunity to increase retirement income, reduce taxable income and make a gift to USM.

In-kind gifts

Works of arts, rare books, paintings, musical instruments, antiques, office furniture, scientific and laboratory equipment, computers, etc. — gifts of tangible personal property may provide you or your business with desirable charitable tax deductions. You are responsible for substantiating the value of your in-kind gift for tax purposes. If the value of your gift exceeds $5,000, you must have a written appraisal.

Bequests

A bequest to the University of Southern Maine Foundation is easy to do and allows for a substantial contribution without diminishing your assets during your lifetime. Since bequests to the Foundation are deductible from your estate, significant tax savings are possible.

Real Estate

You may give your home, vacation home, or other property to the University of Southern Maine Foundation as an outright gift. Or you may prefer to donate your home or farm and retain the right to occupy the property for your lifetime.

Life Insurance

You may own an insurance policy which you no longer need. Your gift of an existing life insurance policy to the University of Southern Maine Foundation provides you with a charitable contribution for the present cash surrender value. Gifts made for premiums paid after the transfer are also tax deductible.

Closely-Held Stock

If you are a business owner, you may contribute closely-held stock to the University of Southern Maine Foundation that will provide a current income tax deduction for the fair market value of the stock, as well as the elimination of capital gains taxes on the appreciated value. At a later date, the corporation may purchase the stock from the Foundation, as long as there is no obligation to sell to the corporation.

Gifts Made Through Extended Pledge Periods

Gifts to USM capital campaigns and endowments may be for a specified period of time, usually two to five years to accommodate your financial circumstances. For example, a gift of $50,000 may be paid in installments of $10,000 per year for five years.

Integrated Gift Planning

You can make gifts by a combination of any of the assets mentioned above. USM's development staff will be happy to help you decide what makes best sense for you. See Guide to Planned Gifts.

The Board of the University of Southern Maine Foundation and the Trustees of the University of Maine System retain the right to accept or decline gifts based on gift acceptance policies and the mission and priorities of the University.

Donor Recognition

Donors are recognized each year in USM's Annual Report of Gifts at the following recognition levels. Matching gifts are counted toward donor recognition.

Be a member of the President's Circle!

The President's Circle is the University's premier annual giving group whose members contribute a minimum of $1,000 to USM each year. Through their generosity, President's Circle members ensure that USM continues to offer quality academic programs in an outstanding environment.

All donors who give a total of $1,000 or more to USM in any one fiscal year (July 1 to June 30) become a member of the President's Circle to be recognized in an annual report, to receive invitations to special events and gatherings, and to gain pride from helping the University meet the priorities of a dynamic, top-rate university.