Niagara Fund

• Scholarships 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

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 are considered when colleges and universities are ranked nationally.

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

Whether you give over the phone, 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. Don’t forget to have your gift matched, so your employer contributes too!

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.

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.

Yes!

• The John Lynch Society acknowledges annual leadership gifts of $1,000 or more.
• The Loyalty Society recognizes those who give to Niagara University annually for three years or more.
• The Marcus Brown Heritage Society was established in gratitude for donors who choose to honor NU through bequests or other planned giving vehicles.