Howard University is thankful for generous individuals who, like you, want to invest in the future of an institution they truly value. There are many ways to make your tax-deductible contribution to Howard. In all cases, you can designate your gift to the school or program of your choice or to one of our current initiatives.
To obtain details on the various methods of making a gift to Howard, please click the appropriate link below.
Wire and ACH Transfer Instructions
Cash/Check: Gifts by cash or check are the most popular and easiest way to make a gift to Howard.
Credit Card (Online): Make your credit card donation online. It's secure, quick and easy.
Estate and other Planned Gifts: By including Howard University in your will or making other planned gifts, you can provide for yourself and your loved ones, plan wisely for your future and make a meaningful gift to Howard. Planned gifts enable you to preserve your assets during your lifetime and leave a valuable legacy at Howard. Donors who make estate and other planned gifts are recognized as members of the Legacy Society, the university’s planned giving society.
Foreign Currency: Howard welcomes gifts of foreign currency.
Matching Gifts: Does your company match charitable donations? If so, you can double or triple the size of your gift to Howard.
Payroll Deduction: It is easy for Howard employees to give by having donations deducted from their payroll check.
Real Estate: Gifts of real estate can generate significant tax benefits for donors and eliminate problems that come with the settlement of estates.
Stocks/Securities: Giving stock or securities to Howard is beneficial to the University and allows relief from capital gains taxes.
Tangible Personal Property: Consider making a contribution of personal property or real estate. Your gift will benefit Howard immeasurably.
Cash/Check
Donations by cash or check are the most popular and easiest way to give to Howard University.
The Division of Development and Alumni Relations gladly accepts cash gifts, but we do not recommend that you mail cash via postal service or courier. To make a donation in cash, please visit us at 1851 9th Street NW, 3rd Floor, Washington, DC, 20001 during regular business hours (Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.).
When paying by check, regardless of the designation of your donation, please make your check payable to Howard University. If you wish to direct your gift for a specific purpose, such as the Cancer Center or scholarship programs for Howard students, simply indicate that in the memo line of your check or in any accompanying correspondence.
Please mail your check to:
(For USPS)
The Howard University
P.O. Box 22960
New York, NY 10087-2960
For Overnight Delivery Mail Only (services that cannot be delivered to a PO Box address):
JP Morgan Chase - Lockbox Processing
Attn: The Howard University, Box 22960
4 Chase Metrotech Center
7th floor East
Brooklyn, NY 11245
To make a memorial or honorary gift by cash or check, begin by following the instructions above. Then, attach a note that includes the name of the person you are memorializing or honoring and the family contact name and address (for memorials) or the individual's name and address (for honorary gifts). We will notify the family/individual of your contribution.
Credit Card (Online)
Make your donation online using our secure site.
Estate and other Planned Gifts
For more information, please visit our website or contact the Planned Giving office at 202.238.2535.
Foreign Currency
Howard University greatly appreciates cash donations in any form, including foreign currency, U.S. dollars drawn on foreign banks or foreign "dollars." Howard gives its donors gift credit in U.S. dollars for the value of the donation, based on current exchange rates the day the contribution is received.
It is important to note that Howard often incurs bank fees when processing these types of gifts, usually a $50 U.S. fee for foreign currency or checks drawn on foreign banks. U.S. currency items drawn on foreign banks will be assessed fees ranging from $2.00 to $35.00.
At times when the fees associated with a gift of this type outweigh the gift itself, Howard must decline and respectfully ask that the donation be made via U.S. dollars or made payable with a check drawn on a U.S. bank.
Please consult your financial institution for more information on the current US exchange rates, or visit www.xe.net/ucc to access exchange rates for most any foreign currency.
Matching Gifts
Contribute Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching gift programs that will match the charitable contributions made by their employees, retirees and/or spouses. Through a matching gift program, the impact of your gift to Howard can be doubled or possibly tripled! Best of all, you are recognized for the full amount of your own gift plus any resulting corporate match. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name below.
If your company is eligible, please click here to complete your gift online. Or, you can request a matching gift form from your employer's HR department and send the completed form with your gift. We will do the rest.
Payroll Deduction
Howard employees can make charitable contributions to the Family Fund via payroll deduction. You may choose to have $5.00 or more deducted from your payroll bi-weekly, or you may wish to have us calculate the appropriate amount to fulfill a pledge. At any time, a payroll deduction can be changed or stopped by calling (202) 238-2498.
For additional information or to access the Family Fund gift form, please visit the Family Fund webpage.
Real Estate
Gifts of real estate can generate significant tax benefits for donors and eliminate problems that come with the settlement of estates. The gift can be for a fractional interest in the property or the entire property.
To determine if your property can be donated or to learn more about gifts of real estate, please refer to pages 14-19 of the University‘s Gift Acceptance and Administration Policy.
If you believe your property meets our qualifications and you are interested in donating it to Howard, please contact the Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations at (202) 238-2331.
Stocks/Securities
A gift of stock or securities (stock, bonds, mutual funds) typically involves publicly traded shares, such as those traded on the major exchanges and over the counter, as well as most mutual funds.
Your gift of securities can provide you with significant tax and financial benefits, such as bypassing capital gains taxes and providing a valuable income tax deduction – both of which effectively reduce the cost of making your gift. For example, a donor who gives a gift of common stock, held longer than one year, avoids capital gains taxation on the transfer so the full value of the contribution goes to the University. The donor is able to take a charitable deduction using the full value of the gift and can claim up to 30 percent of adjusted gross income (AGI) in the year the gift is made with up to five years to absorb the full deduction under the AGI ceiling. Securities may be transferred to Howard via electronic transfer, mail or hand delivery.
Stock/Secutities Transfer Instructions
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Electronic Transfer is the most efficient way to transfer securities to Howard University. If your stock is held by a broker, notify the broker that you wish to make a gift of securities to Howard University using the Securities Transfer Instructions form found here.
The completed form will serve as the written authorization your broker needs in order to initiate the transfer. Please be sure to complete all fields, and to forward the executed form to investments@howard.edu as well as to your broker.
Should you or your broker have any questions or need additional information regarding a securities transfer, please contact Tony Osaghae at 202.806.2322 or email at tosaghae@howard.edu .
- Mailing Stock Certificates: If your securities are not held by a broker, you can mail the certificates directly to:
For U.S. Mail
Howard University
P.O. Box 417853
Boston, M.A. 02241-7853For Overnight Delivery Mail Only (services that cannot be delivered to a PO Box address):
Bank of America Lockbox Services
Howard University Operating Account 417853
MA5-527-02-07
2 Morrissey Blvd.
Dorchester, MA 02125Please send your unendorsed certificate(s) and a cover letter (including your name, address and purpose of the gift) in one envelope. In a second envelope, send a signed, signature-guaranteed stock power. A stock power form can be obtained from your local bank or by calling the Office of Planned Giving at (202) 238-2567.
We strongly recommend using registered mail to forward your certificates and stock power. Please do not mail endorsed certificates. Once the certificate is endorsed, it is legal tender and can be exchanged by anyone.
- Hand Delivery: Certificates may also be given directly to a University Development Officer or hand delivered to the Office of Planned Giving. It is strongly recommended that certificates not be sent to a transfer agent for registering in the University's name. This procedure is unnecessary and results in needless delay of the transfer.
For additional information, please refer to the University‘s Gift Acceptance and Administration Policy and/or contact the Office of Planned Giving at (202) 238-2567.
Tangible Personal Property
Howard welcomes gifts of tangible personal property (gifts-in-kind) that further the university‘s educational endeavors and which the University would otherwise need to purchase. We will help you decide how to make your gift and determine if the gift requires prior approval by Howard‘s Gift Acceptance Committee.
To determine if your property can be donated or to learn more about gifts of tangible personal property (gifts-in-kind), please refer to pages 19-23 of the University‘s Gift Acceptance and Administration Policy.
If you are interested in donating any item of personal property, please contact the Vice President of Development & Alumni Relations at (202) 238-2331.
