Ways to Give
Outright Gifts
Credit Card
Make a gift on Duke's secure giving site.
Check
Mail your gift to the Office of Alumni and Development Records, where all charitable contributions to Duke University and the Duke University Health System are processed:
U.S. Mail
Alumni and Development Records
Duke University
Box 90581
Durham, NC 27708-0581
Phone: (919) 684-2338
Fax: (919) 684-8527Express Mail
Alumni and Development Records
Duke University
700 W. Main Street
Suite 110
Durham, NC 27701Stocks, Bonds, and Mutual Funds
Notify us of your plan to donate securities to Duke.
Matching Gifts
Many companies and foundations will double or even triple the value of charitable gifts made by employees and their spouses, board members, and retirees. Find out if a particular organization will match your gift.
Bank Draft
With your authorization, Duke can debit your checking account once per month in the amount you designate. To sign up, fill out an authorization form and mail it to Duke with a voided check.
Payroll Deduction
Duke employees can make charitable contributions to the university and health system by payroll deduction. To sign up, fill out an authorization form.
Gifts from UK Taxpayers
If you are a UK taxpayer—even if you also pay taxes in the US—you may be able to significantly increase the value of your gift. Find out how the Duke UK Trust Limited can make your donation worth more.
Foreign Currency
Learn more about donating foreign currency to Duke.
Personal Property
If you would like to donate personal property to Duke, please contact Alumni and Development Records at (919) 684-2338. Some gifts require appraisal or advance approval in order to be accepted. Examples of gifts of property include tickets to athletic events, rare books, art work, computer hardware and software, and laboratory equipment.
Real Estate
All gifts of real estate require prior approval by the university. A gift of real estate may be a principal residence or vacation home, a farm, a commercial building, a subdivision lot, or unimproved land. The gift may be the entire property or a fractional interest in the property. Duke's Office of Gift Planning can walk you through the approval process. Learn more.
Electronic Transfers
The use of wire transfers has fallen out of favor as the fees incurred by donors have become quite substantial. An electric transfer through the Automated Clearing House Network (or "ACH") is often a more practical option. Please notify Alumni and Development Records at (919) 684-2338 after you have scheduled an electronic transfer. If you are trying to meet a deadline, you might also consider charging your gift to a credit card or mailing a payment through an express carrier. Note that IRS regulations stipulate that contributions sent by private carriers must be dated based on Duke's date of receipt, whereas gifts sent through the US Postal Service can be dated based on the postmark date.
Deferred or Planned Gifts
Your gift to Duke can also be a useful financial planning tool.
Life Income Gift
A life income gift, such as a charitable gift annuity or a charitable remainder unitrust, can provide you and/or your loved ones with an income for the duration of your lives or for a specific number of years. You receive a current income tax dedication as well. Learn more.
Charitable Lead Trust
These trusts can be used to transfer assets to a loved one with a significantly reduced tax liability. Learn more.
Bequest
The most common form of deferred gift to Duke is a bequest contained in a person's will or revocable (living) trust. Find sample language and more information.
Gifts of Retirement Plans
Naming Duke as a primary or contingent beneficiary of a retirement plan (e.g. IRA, SEP, 401(k), 403(b), ESOP, etc.) may enable you to make a larger gift than you anticipated because income and estate taxes are not imposed when plan assests are distributed to Duke. Your retirement account's plan administrator (the company that manages the account) can help you designate Duke University as a primary or contingent beneficiary on the plan's beneficiary form. Learn more.
Retained Life Estate in Property
You can generate a current income tax deduction by giving a home or farm to Duke, while retaining the right to use the property during your lifetime. The property will also be removed from your taxable estate. Contact Duke's Office of Gift Planning to discuss this gift opportunity in more detail.