Ways to Give

Gifts to the ETSU Foundation can be made in several ways. University Advancement staff members are available to answer your questions, or schedule a personal, confidential consultation. You can also contact us at (423) 439-4242 or by sending e-mail to give@etsu.edu.

• In Person

  Personally deliver checks to Yoakley Hall, third floor reception area (enter the East end of building [toward Culp]).

•  By Mail

  Make checks payable to, "ETSU Foundation" and mail to University Advancement, East Tennessee State University, PO Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614.

• Online

  Make recurring or one-time credit card payments by visiting our online giving form at www.etsu.edu/give or by using the ETSU App (download from the Apple Store and Google Play).

• Checking or Savings (electronic funds transfer)

  Arrange for recurring debits or electronic funds transfer (EFT) from your account (monthly, quarterly, or annually) by printing and completing the EFT Authorization Form attaching a voided check, and sending to University Advancement, East Tennessee State University, PO Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614.

• Online Bill Pay (offered by your bank)

  Banking institutions sometimes offer this  service, whereby they will pay your bills for you.  Typically, you give your bank information about the bills that need to be paid and they arrange for payment.

  Tell your bank payment should be made to, "ETSU Foundation" and sent to PO Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37614.  They should include in a memo field, or in an attachment, the area (designation) the payment is meant to support.

• Payroll Deduction

  ETSU faculty and staff can arrange for recurring deductions from their pay.  Complete the Payroll Deduction Form online.  The form will be routed electronically and your deduction will start on the 10th of the following month.

• Employer Matching Giving

  Double or even triple the amount of your gift by involving your employer. Find out if your employer matches gifts here:  www.matchinggifts.com/etsu.  

• Donor Advised Fund (DAF)

  In the United States, a donor-advised fund is a charitable giving vehicle administered by a public charity to manage charitable donations on behalf of organizations, families, or individuals.

  To participate in a donor-advised fund, a donating individual or organization opens an account in the fund and deposits cash, securities, or other financial instruments.

  To direct a donor advised fund gift to ETSU, contact your DAF advisor.  For more information, contact Annual Giving at annualgiving@etsu.edu or (423) 439-4242.

• Individual Retirement Account (IRA) Qualified Distribution

  • Notify the financial institution holding the IRA to make the check payable to “ETSU Foundation.”  It is very important the check is not made or sent to the individual.
  • Ensure the financial institution includes the designation (area to be supported) on the memo line or on a separate attachment.
  • Mail the check to: ETSU Foundation, PO Box 70721, Johnson City, TN 37615-4253.

• Direct Stock Transfer

  The ETSU Foundation account is held by Raymond James/Citizens Financial, Johnson City, TN. The contact there is Janice Renfro or Peter Cholerton, phone number: 423-928-8361. For more information, see the Stock Transfer Information Sheet.  You can also contact annualgivine@etsu.edu more information.

• Memorial Gifts or Gifts in Honor of Someone

  Honoring or memorializing a special person with a gift to East Tennessee State University can be tremendously gratifying. It is a formal tribute to celebrate a loved one, friend, classmate, teacher, or colleague that provides valuable support to the University. Gifts may be designated toward a cause meaningful to the honored or memorialized individual—or left to the discretion of the University. To make a memorial gift via credit card, use our secure online form at www.etsu.edu/give.  Be sure to complete the honor/memory of section.  If paying by check, include a brief note to include the designation you want your gift to support and the name of the individual for whom you are making a gift (see address information at right). 

  

No matter how you make your gift, you can always designate it to support the area(s) of ETSU you choose.  Either select the designation on the online gift form or mark your choice on the card we provided.  You always have the option of marking "Other" and writing in the area(s) you'd like to support.  

Types of Funds

• Endowed Funds

  A permanent fund, where only the annual payout of earnings is used to serve the purposes of the endowed fund.  Typically, the principal in the endowment is not touched.  A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is used to establish relevant information with respect to the scholarship, including a biographical sketch of the donor, criteria for selecting the award recipient, and other pertinent information, so we always know the donor’s intent and wishes in establishing the scholarship.  We urge our donors to consider designating their estate gifts for an endowed fund, which can be named for the donor.  The minimum needed to establish an endowed scholarship in the ETSU Foundation is currently $25,000. This amount may be payable over a five-year period of time, or included in your estate planning. 

• Restricted Funds

  These operate much like a checking account.  It is a one-time donation in any amount which will be used as designated by the donor - distributed all at one time or over a certain number of years.

Types of Gifts

• Outright Gifts

  Includes cash, checks and pledges of future funds. If the donor's employer MATCHES charitable contributions, the impact of the gift can be increased, and the donor will receive recognition at the appropriate level for the combined gift and the match.

• Shares of Stock

  In publicly traded companies can be given, and may have real tax advantage to you by  allowing you to avoid capital gains taxes for stock which has appreciated in value and has been owned by the donor for more than one year.

• Planned Gifts *

  Includes bequests from a last will and testament, charitable remainder trust and lead trusts, charitable gift annuities and other arrangements that may offer significant tax and estate planning advantages to the donor. If interested, please visit the ETSULegacy.org.

• Life Insurance Policies *

  This offers a simple and cost effective way to benefit the university by naming the ETSU Foundation as the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy. Payments by the donor of the policy's premiums may also result in a tax-deductible gift to the Foundation.

• Retirement Plans *

  Donors can name the ETSU Foundation as the beneficiary, and may serve to assist the donor with his or her tax and estate planning.

• Gifts of Personal Property

  Such as books, jewelry, art, professional equipment, and other items may be given.  Use the In-kind Gift Form.

• Gifts of Real Property (Real Estate)

  May be given to the ETSU Foundation, or included in a planned gift.

 * If you are thinking about these types of gifts, please contact annualgiving@etsu.edu for more information.