How to Give

Mizzou Annual Fund

The Mizzou Annual Fund plays an important role in supporting the Graduate School.

Donations may be used to support:

• Graduate School Travel Fund: The Graduate School awards roughly 40 travel scholarships each year, each one not to exceed $400. These are available for doctoral students who have successfully completed doctoral comprehensive/matriculation examinations and have been admitted to doctoral candidacy.
• Support student fellowships, scholarships, and internships on an annual basis.
• Support program development and faculty research projects to increase student participation in conferences and exhibitions in their fields of study.

Check or Credit Card

Many donors find that the easiest ways to make a gift to the Mizzou Annual Fund are by check or credit card. Checks may be made payable to the University of Missouri and mailed along with a pledge form (pdf) to:

Mizzou Annual Fund
401 Reynolds Alumni and Visitors Center
University of Missouri
Columbia, MO 65211

The Mizzou Annual Fund also accepts gifts through Visa, MasterCard and Discover cards. To make a gift with a credit card, please choose one of the following options:

• Make a gift online by visiting our online giving site.
• Call us toll-free at 1-877-GIFT2MU with your credit card information.
• Mail in a pledge form and include your credit card information. You may download a pledge form (pdf) and mail it to the address above.

Major Gifts, Endowments & Fellowship Support

Major Gifts can be cash, securities (stocks or bonds) or property. Major gifts can create new or support existing endowments for doctoral or masters fellowships, travel, or general development.

Major gifts may be made by contacting the Graduate School Director of Development, Andrew Grabau at 573-882-3645, or by email at grabauan@missouri.edu.

Planned Gifts & Testamentary Gifts

Bequests are one of the easiest forms of planned giving. A bequest may be provided through a will or trust, but it must be worded correctly in order to ensure that the donor's wishes are fulfilled.

Donors may name the University as the beneficiary of their retirement account. This gift option may provide significant income tax and estate tax benefits.

Permanent life insurance policies may be donated to the University. Donors will obtain the greatest tax benefits by naming the University of Missouri as both the owner and beneficiary of the gifted policy.

Gifts That Give Back

Donors and the University both receive financial rewards through the following three types of gifts:

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity is a simple, contractual agreement between the University and a donor in which assets are transferred to the University in exchange for life payments. Payments can be for one or two persons. Rates are based on age. After the annuitant's lifetime the remainder is available to be used by the University as specified by the donor.

When donors transfer cash or other assets to a charitable remainder trust, these funds are invested, and quarterly income from the trust is paid to the donor or to others chosen by the donor. When the trust is terminated, the remaining funds are transferred to the University.

The University's Pooled Income Fund

The University's Pooled Income Fund is similar to a mutual fund. This fund allows gifts to be "pooled" with those from other donors, and prorated shares of the fund's earnings are distributed to all donors. After a donor's lifetime, the remainder of his or her interest in the fund is transferred to the University.

Retained Life Estate

A retained life estate allows donors to contribute their home to the University while continuing to live there. The University becomes the sole owner of the property either when donors choose to move from their home or after their lifetime.

The information provided above on planned gifts is presented in summary form.

For an illustration of any planned gift tailored to a specific request, donors may contact the Andrew Grabau at 573-882-3645, or by email at grabauan@missouri.edu. Also, donors should consult with their attorneys or tax advisers for legal and tax advice.