Bluffton University

Ways to Give

Invest in Bluffton University, and extend Bluffton’s transforming mission for students and society.

Bluffton accepts gifts of cash, gifts-in-kind such as such as securities, real estate or property, and planned legacy gifts.

Give Online

Gifts may be made online through GiveCampus. Make a undesignated gift of any amount to be used where most needed, or select a designation of your choice,  such as a scholarship, TEAM Bluffton, the arts, cross-cultural experiences, etc.

You may also create a donor account in order to create automatic, reoccuring monthly or annual gifts.

Matching gifts

A simple trip to your employer’s human resources office could double your gift to Bluffton. Many companies match charitable gifts to non-profit organizations made by employees and/or retirees. And Bluffton will credit you for that extra gift. This means you could become a President’s Society member will an annual gift of $500 (instead of $1,000); for Graduates of the Last Decade, the starting point for membership may be as low as $125 plus a matching gift.

What do I do?

• Ask your HR office if your employer offers matching gifts.
• If yes and you are giving online, create an account provide your employer’s name in the appropriate field. 
• If yes and you are giving by mail, request an application form and forward with your gift to Bluffton:
              Bluffton University
              Advancement Office
              1 University Drive
              Bluffton, OH 45817-2104.

Gifts-in-kind

Gifts-in-kind of securities, real estate or property require advance planning. These gifts can provide support for annual operations, scholarships, endowment or campaign projects. Examples include: 

• Securities

  i.e. stocks, bonds or mutual funds. Please contact the advancent office for instructions on how to schedule a transfer of securities through your broker.

• Real estate

  i.e. principal residence, vacation home, farm, commercial building, building lots or land; all gifts of real estate require prior appraisal and university approval. 

• Property

  i.e. equipment, grain and personal property; all gifts of property require prior appraisal and university approval.

Please contact the advancement office to learn more about any gift-in-kind.

Planned gift

By including Bluffton in your will or estate plan, you sustain Bluffton in a very special way. 

A legacy gift is a commitment made during your lifetime that provides support to Bluffton at a future date. Legacy gifts are a wonderful way to provide larger support for Bluffton than you may have thought possible while still providing for a family and other estate planning goals.

Ways to make a Legacy Gift:

• A bequest in your will or living trust is most common
• Life income gifts, such as a charitable gift annuity, charitable remainder unitrust or charitable remainder annuity trust, provide a future gift to Bluffton, an income tax deduction and income stream for you or family
• Designating Bluffton as a beneficiary of your Individual Retirement Account is a simple way to make a planned gift
• A charitable lead trust provides financial support to Bluffton for a specified term with the trust assets returning to you or your heirs with significant tax savings

Contact the advancement office for more information about planned gifts.