Frequently Asked Questions

When should I send my year-end gift to count for the current tax year?

• Check: If you are making a gift to the University by check, and for tax purposes want your contribution to count for the current calendar year, your envelope must be postmarked by December 31 (or May 31 for fiscal year purposes).
• Credit Card: If you are making a gift by credit card, be aware that your legal gift date is the date the charge hits your account, rather than a postmark date. You can give online, or you can charge your card by calling 877.728.1873.
• Stock Gift or EFT:Ways to Give or contact the advancement office at 877.728.1873.

I am an alum, how do I help increase the alumni giving percentage?
Giving once a year, at any level, helps the University maintain and improve its alumni giving percentage. This percentage factors into University rankings. More importantly, it indicates the support of alumni for the mission of the University — important to any potential funder. Consider becoming a monthly donor to maintain your annual support!

I didn’t attend Spring Arbor or I attended but didn’t graduate from the University. Is it unusual to be a non-graduate donor?
Many of Spring Arbor’s strongest and most vocal supporters graduated from a different school. For former students, remember, we consider you an alum after attending one semester. If you believe in the value of offering new generations of students a liberal arts education, rooted in Christ, we welcome your support.

What are the tax benefits of making a gift to Spring Arbor?

• Spring Arbor is a nonprofit institution. Your gift to Spring Arbor is tax deductible as allowed by law. Click here for the tax-wise giving form.
• If you make a gift online, we will receive a confirmation e-mail and an electronic receipt. Please keep this receipt for your records.

What are the different ways I can make my gift to Spring Arbor?

• Checks can be made out to “Spring Arbor University” and mailed to:

Spring Arbor University
Office of Advancement
106 E. Main St.
Spring Arbor, MI 49283

• Online using a credit card or electronic funds transfer (EFT)
• Phone (877.728.1873) to arrange:
• Stock / Securities
• Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT)
• Credit card

Visit Ways to Give for additional information.

How much control can I have over the use of my gift?

• The online giving form offers several giving options. If you wish to support a specific department or program, provide the name in the text box after you choose “Designated Gift” in the drop down box.
• Gifts to the SAU Annual Fund are unrestricted and are applied each year to the areas of highest impact on campus.

You may not indicate the name of a specific student and also receive a charitable receipt.

How can I update my address?

• Send an e-mail with all changes to duane.clevenger@arbor.edu or call 877.728.1873.
• Alumni can logon or register to the Alumni Online Community to change their address and make other updates, connect with friends, and get important information like giving history or transcripts.

What calendar does the SAU Annual Fund use to recognize gifts?

• The annual fund recognizes gifts according to the University’s fiscal year, which runs from June 1 to May 31.

Spring Arbor has experienced a lot of growth over the years. Why is my unrestricted annual gift still needed?

Annual gifts, particularly those that are unrestricted, allow Spring Arbor much-needed flexibility in directing funds to areas of critical need (including the ongoing need for additional scholarship support for undergraduate students) and to new priorities (such as emerging opportunities to purchase key library collections or recruit a potential faculty member who has just come onto the market).

The impact of annual fund gifts is exceptional: consider that a $100 unrestricted, expendable gift has the same impact on the annual budget as a $2,000 endowment fund. Similarly, a $1,000 annual gift has the same impact as a $25,000 endowment fund.

How often will I be contacted by the SAU Annual Fund staff?

Typically, two mailings are sent each year to alumni, parents, and friends seeking support for the annual fund. Also, we conduct a fall and spring Phonathon each year. A Spring Arbor student may phone you seeking support.

If I contribute early in the year, will I still receive other mailings?

Yes, for two simple reasons. First, many individuals prefer to make more than one gift in a given year. Second, each of the mailings contains important Spring Arbor news that may not be found in other University publications; thus the mailings not only encourage contributions, but help to keep you informed about what’s going on at Spring Arbor.

What are matching gifts?

Matching gifts are a corporate-sponsored benefit wherein a company matches its employees’ personal contributions. Depending upon your employer’s policy, matching gifts can typically be arranged in one of the following ways:

• By obtaining a matching gift form from your company and sending it to Spring Arbor along with your gift.
• By providing the company with a receipt or acknowledgement from Spring Arbor that proves a gift was made.
• By utilizing the matching gift services provided on your company’s Web site.

I still have questions about the SAU Annual Fund. Where can I get more information?

Malachi Crane
Executive Director of Donor Relations
Spring Arbor University

106 E. Main St.
Spring Arbor, MI 49283

517.750.6543 (office)
517.750.6619 (fax)