The Niagara Fund is where alumni, employees, students, parents, and friends of the University come together to make a difference in the quality of education and services the University provides.  Niagara University’s success depends largely on private support from friends and alumni.  Gifts to the Niagara Fund help meet the University’s ongoing needs and support our academic mission.  These gifts are used by Niagara on a daily basis where the needs and opportunities are greatest.

Your gifts support:

• Scholarship and financial aid, which attract new, deserving students to pursue their studies

• Faculty and curriculum development to continue building NU’s legacy of providing academic excellence in the Vincentian tradition

• Technology to equip students and faculty to make important advances in all areas of study

• Utilization of new and current buildings and maintaining the physical beauty of the campus

Whether you give when a student calls you during the phonathon, in response to a letter, by electric funds transfer, or online, you are helping our students by contributing to the excellence of a Niagara University education.  And don’t forget to have your gift matched, so your employer contributes too!

Your gift to the Niagara Fund is sincerely appreciated. Designations:

__The University Fund (please place my gift where it is currently needed most)

__College of Arts & Sciences

__College of Business Administration

__College of Education

__College of Hospitality and Tourism Management

__Athletics

__Scholarships

__Library

Why is the Level of Participation Important?

Participation in the Niagara Fund is an endorsement of Niagara and the education students receive here. Corporations and foundations often look for strong alumni support when making funding decisions. Participation levels are also used as a standard measure of alumni satisfaction and is considered when colleges and universities are ranked by national magazines.

Our goal is to continue to increase participation yearly. Every gift, no matter what size, makes a difference and raises participation levels. And your gift may be doubled or tripled if you or your spouse work for one of more than 5,000 matching gift companies.

What are Matching Gifts?

Matching gifts are contributions made by an employer to match an employee’s contribution. Most companies match employee gifts at a ratio of 1:1, but some companies match at an even higher level. Participating companies provide a form, usually found in the personnel office, which employees send with their gift. The development office verifies the contribution and returns the form to the company, which then forwards the gifts. All matched gifts are credited to your individual gift record and make you eligible for the donor recognition clubs listed below.

Please take a moment to check with your employer, or your spouse’s employer, to see if they have such a program.

Is My Gift Tax Deductible?

Niagara Fund gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. A gift to Niagara in the form of appreciated securities can earn extra tax advantages, because not only do you get an income tax deduction, you can also avoid paying capital gains tax. If you wish to make a gift of stock, you may mail or deliver the stock certificates directly to us. Simply endorse the certificate to Niagara upon delivery, or provide a signed stock power in a separate envelope. Your charitable deduction will be determined by the asset’s fair market value on the date of the gift.

For further information or discussion on any gift you are considering for Niagara, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 716-286-8484 or contact us via email.

Niagara’s Donor Recognition Clubs

The Lynch Society acknowledges annual leadership gifts of $1,000 or more:
Founder’s Circle - $10,000 and above
President’s Circle - $5,000 - $9,999
Founder’s Club - $2,500 - $4,999
President’s Club - $1,000 - $2,499

Other Gift Clubs Include:
Purple Eagle Club - $500 - $999
Niagara Club - $250 - $499
Century Club - $100 - $249

The Niagara Fund year runs through May 31.