There are many ways by which a donor may contribute to William Carey University.

The university receives gifts that are both restricted and unrestricted. Restricted gifts are given with a specific project or requirement in mind. Many scholarships, professorships, and grants fall into this category and will only be used for the intent by which the donor requests. Unrestricted gifts are given with the desire that the university will use them for needs that arise at that time. Both types of gifts are of significant value and help to meet needs, benefit student success, and advance the Christ-centered education at Carey.

Make a Donation

The William Carey University Annual Fund is the backbone of giving at the university.

Student callers complement direct solicitations that are sent to alumni from September through April each year in order to encourage repeat giving to the university. Gifts through the annual fund may be of any type, but are mostly consistent of single gifts that are recurring in nature.

If you are an alumnus that has received a call from an annual fund caller or received a solicitation via U.S. mail and did not respond, you may give anytime online or by sending a gift to:

 

William Carey University

Office for Advancement Box 141

710 William Carey Parkway

Hattiesburg, MS 39401

 

If you would like to learn more about opportunities for memorial gifts at William Carey University, contact the Office for Advancement at 601.318.6542 or advancement@wmcarey.edu.

A unique but special way that alumni can contribute to William Carey University is by donating a gift in-kind. These gifts may widely vary depending on the circumstance, but have historically ranged anywhere from construction-related items for new buildings to paintings and furnishings for offices. Significant memorabilia and other Carey spirit items would also be included as an in-kind gift.

On select occasions, in-kind gifts will be appraised for tangible value and tax-deductible purposes. Most often, though, these gifts are not assigned a value. If this is the case, the item may still be considered for tax deductible purposes, but we advise that any donor consult with their accountant on this matter as several factors play a part in the value that may be assessed for non-appraised items.

For more information on donating a gift in-kind to William Carey University, contact the Office for Advancement.

Select companies may have a matching gift program in place as part of their incentive for individuals to give to non-profit organizations like William Carey University.

Matching gift programs may contribute anywhere from 50% to 300% of your gift to Carey, thereby significantly increasing the power of your gift.

If you believe that your company has a matching gift program in place or if you have questions about matching gifts, contact Karen Golson in the Office for Advancement before making your gift.

Leaving a memorial for a loved one, friend, colleague or professor is a great way to give back to William Carey University. This may be accomplished in a variety of ways. Memorials may be made with unrestricted gifts, but are often associated with a specific scholarship or a naming opportunity for a building campaign.

When you leave a memorial, you will receive credit for the donation for tax purposes, but the gift will be left in the name of the individual requested along with any naming recognition associated with the gift. For instance, you may donate $100 to the Chapel Campaign for a brick that lists the name and class year of the individual that you wish to recognize.

For more information on memorial gifts to William Carey University, contact Karen Golson in the Office for Advancement.

Planned gifts make the most significant impact of any gift at William Carey University. As most donors carry their largest assets in the form of investments, life insurance, or their estate itself, any donor that wishes to dedicate a portion of these assets to the university will make a tremendous impact. These donations may be in the form of stock, bonds, real estate, retirement assets, life insurance, or other funds through a bequest or trust. Please view the following options for planned giving:

GIFTS OF STOCKS AND BONDS

A gift of your securities, including your stocks or bonds, is an easy way for you to make a gift. By making a gift of your appreciated securities, you can avoid paying capital gains tax that would otherwise be due if you sold these assets.

GIFTS OF RETIREMENT ASSETS

A gift of your real property (such as your home, vacation property, vacant land, farmland or ranch or commercial property) can make a great gift. If you own appreciated real property, you can avoid paying capital gains tax by making a gift to us.

GIFTS OF RETIREMENT ASSETS

A gift of your retirement assets, such as a gift from your IRA, 401k, 403b, pension or other tax deferred plan, is an excellent way to make a gift. By making a gift of your retirement assets, you will help further our work.

GIFT OF INSURANCE

A gift of your life insurance policy is an excellent way to make a gift to Carey. If your life insurance policy is no longer needed or will no longer benefit your survivors, consider making a gift and help further our mission. For more information on planned giving to William Carey University, contact Karen Golson in the Office for Advancement.

RESTRICTED SCHOLARSHIPS

Restricted scholarship funds require no minimum investment and are awarded directly to deserving students based on donor-advised criteria. These scholarships provide support to students in the exact amount donated in a given year and are not perpetual in nature. Donors to restricted scholarships must contribute each year in order to maintain a fund.

ENDOWED SCHOLARSHIPS

Endowed scholarship funds require a minimum corpus of $10,000 for establishment using two basic selection criteria OR $15,000 for more specific selection criteria. The corpus of each scholarship is invested with the Mississippi Baptist Foundation and awarded at an estimated 4.5% rate of return from the investment. For example, on average a corpus of $10,000 will produce a $450 scholarship each year. The benefit of endowed scholarships is that they are perpetual in nature and will deliver scholarships to student indefinitely.

View Carey Scholarships

For more information on scholarships at William Carey University, contact Karen Golson in the Office for Advancement.

Single gifts are the most common way by which donors contribute to the university. They are the lifeblood of the university. Single gifts may go to any need at the university at any level. Whether a donor wishes to contribute $5 or $50,000, a single gift from a student, alumnus, or friend will make a tremendous impact in the lives of our students and the sustainability of the university. Single and recurring gifts may be given online anytime or via U.S. Mail.

Gifts may go to a specific scholarship fund, a building project, a Legacy of Learning/Leadership fund, or as an unrestricted gift to an academic unit or to be used university-wide.

Each donor to William Carey University is greatly valued, and we wish to give recognition to our donors as a token of appreciation for their loyalty and support.


The following categories are used for donor recognition:

President's Circle

Donors who have contributed $1,000 or more in the current fiscal year are considered members of the President’s Circle.


Honor Roll of Donors

Donors who have contributed significant lifetime gifts to the university are added to the Honor Roll of Donors. This exclusive list is designed to honor donors for their giving in perpetuity. The list is broken down into categories reflective of a donor’s lifetime giving amount, beginning with totals of $50,000 or more.


Covenant Society

Donors who have designated a planned gift to the university are included as a member of the Covenant Society. Like the Honor Roll of Donors, this list honors donors in perpetuity for their estate giving. Learn More.


Wall of Honor

The Wall of Honor includes donors to the university that have contributed lifetime giving of $100,000 or more. To memorialize this giving, a bronze plaque is permanently placed on the Wall of Honor in Tatum Court so that all students and alumni may recognize the gifts.


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