Give Us Five!

What did you spend $5 on today? A latte? A magazine? Then why not give us five?

We know that this is a challenging time financially for many of our alumni. You may feel that a gift you may be able to afford today may be too small to make a difference. Participation is more important than ever. Together, your gift of $5, $10, or $20 can make a large difference.

Thanks to a generous donor, the GTU can match all gifts to our Give Us Five campaign up to a total of $5,000. Your gift, no matter the amount, will be matched dollar for dollar.

The President's Circle

The President's Circle provides financial support for the work of the Graduate Theological Union.

Members of the President's Circle are a select groups of individuals who provide vital support to the GTU through their generosity, leadership, and outstanding faith in our mission. Donations to the President's Circle are unrestricted and are used to provide scholarships for students; update equipment; acquire special collections for the library; and fund innovative programs and centers like the Center for Islamic Studies, the Richard S. Dinner Center for Jewish Studies, the Women's Studies in Religion certificate, and Asia Partnerships.

Unrestricted funds are crucial to the economic success of the GTU, supplying needed support for the day to day operations of this complex institution. They provide flexibility, ensuring that funds are available for the projects that need them most. Unrestricted annual gifts are vital to the GTU's fundraising endeavors, and the President's Circle is the cornerstone of the Annual Fund. Join the President's Circle today!

Ways to Support the GTU

• Planned Giving - The benefit of including the GTU in your estate planning is more than material; it is also a way to ensure support for the values of interreligious collaboration – and for our students- into the future.
• Endowment - By making a gift to the permanent endowment, you will support the GTU in perpetuity. Gifts can be designated for scholarships or fellowships, for specific programs, or for faculty positions. For more information contact the Advancement Office via email or by phone at 510/649-2436.
  
• Flora Lamson Hewlett Library - The GTU’s Flora Lamson Hewlett Library is known as one of the premier collections of theological scholarship in the country. By donating to the library, you can support the continuing work of acquisition and preservation.

To speak with staff in the Advancement Office about these and other gift-giving options, please call 510/649-2436.

Important News for GTU Donors

Good news for GTU donors! The IRA Rollover provision has just been extended for two additional years. The provision will be made retroactive to Jan. 1, 2008, and will apply to gifts made from that date through Dec. 31, 2009. This is an excellent way to make a larger gift than would ordinarily be deductible.

The provision exempts from taxable income any funds transferred (“rolled over”) from an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) to a charitable organization. The following limitations apply:

• The donor must be age 70½ or older.

• The cap on annual IRA rollovers is $100,000.

• The contribution must be a direct gift to a charity (no planned gifts).

For more information or to make a gift, please contact the Advancement Office at (510) 649-2425.

Recent Gifts

Recent Support for Pursuits in Homiletics and Church Administration

Retiree Plans to Leave Legacy

Give a gift online now!

Please give your Annual Fund gift by June 30, 2009. Make a gift online

Thank you for supporting the GTU.

In 1962, the Graduate Theological Union was founded as a unique ecumenical experiment. Today the GTU’s partnership of nine independent theological schools and eight centers and affiliates is a vibrant interreligious crossroads for educating students for teaching, research, ministry, and service. GTU graduates move in key positions of leadership throughout the world in education, theology, ministry, administration, and service. The unique treasure that is the GTU holds a special place both in the present and in the promise for our future.

How can I support that promise?
The generosity of alumni and friends is crucial to the growth and evolution of the GTU community. All gifts enable our students to undertake critical and creative scholarship and to decrease the financial burden of their studies.

The GTU offers several opportunities to become involved. Individuals contributing through the Annual Fund, planned giving, and other avenues provide the foundation for financial aid, faculty support, and academic development.

The Annual Fund and Scholarship Support
The GTU Annual Fund raises current-use dollars for immediate program enhancements. Unrestricted gifts to the GTU Annual Fund provide funds for student services, academic support, and faculty salaries. Because of their versatility, the gifts are a vital part of the GTU’s fundraising efforts.

One of the major expenses associated with the rising costs of education is the cost of tuition itself. Contributions to the Annual Fund enable the GTU to provide increased scholarship and fellowship support.

For information on charitable bequests, gifts of stock, and the tax and income advantages of charitable trusts, please email or call 510/649-2425.

Your financial support strengthens the GTU’s mission of teaching, research, ministry, and service.

Thank you for supporting the Graduate Theological Union.