An Investment in the Future
The SOU Foundation offers many methods of giving so that you can maximize your impact for SOU students today and for years to come. We are ready to work with you so that you can set your philanthropic goals confidently.
Types of Gifts
Annual Gifts
Annual gifts support transformational opportunities for students and faculty. Gifts from alumni, parents, faculty, staff, and friends add up each year to support SOU’s students, faculty members, and academic and athletic programs.
Endowed Gifts
Endowment funds are funds received from a donor with the restriction that the principal not be expended. True or permanent endowments are only subject to modification as may be allowed by law. Establishing an endowed fund requires a minimum gift of $25,000, and principal can never be partially or totally expended.
Future Gifts
Careful estate planning yields special advantages for donors and their heirs while enabling them to support the important work of Southern Oregon University in a significant and lasting way. Donors can name the SOU Foundation as a beneficiary in their estates, IRAs, or other retirement accounts. Sample bequest language can be found here.
How to Make a Gift
Alumni, parents, and friends make gifts to SOU with many kinds of assets and in a variety of forms. Options include cash, checks, credit card payments, gifts of marketable securities, and other assets.
Gifts of Cash
A majority of the gifts made to SOU come in the form of cash—via check, credit card, or wire transfer. A gift of cash entitles you to the most generous federal income tax deduction available for charitable contributions.
Checks should be made payable to “SOU Foundation” and mailed to:
SOU Foundation
1250 Siskiyou Blvd.
Ashland, OR 97520
For payments by Visa, Mastercard, Discover or American Express, please visit giving.sou.edu/give or call 541-552-6127.
To make a donation via cash wire transfer, please call 541-552-6127.
Additional Ways to Give
Gifts of Marketable Securities
A gift of appreciated securities that you have held for more than one year is frequently the most economical way to give. Please notify your banker or broker for additional information.
Qualified Charitable Distribution
If you are age 70½ or older, this permanent IRS provision allows you to make a direct charitable rollover from your IRA to the SOU Foundation, tax-free. Learn more.
For additional information, please call 541-552-6127.
Gifts of Other Assets
Gifts to SOU can come in the form of other assets as well. For example, you may wish to consider gifts of closely held stock, tangible personal property if its use is related to the university’s educational purpose, or real estate.
Leave a Gift to SOU in Your Will
A charitable bequest gives you the immediate satisfaction of creating a lasting and personal legacy that ensures SOU’s future and costs nothing now. It also allows you the flexibility to make adjustments if your circumstances change. Learn more.
Charitable Gift Annuity
A simple contract between you and the SOU Foundation. In exchange for your gift of cash or securities, the Foundation agrees to pay a fixed amount of money to one or two individuals, for their lifetime. Learn more.