Giving Frequently Asked Questions

UT Tyler University Advancement

If I want to make a gift, how can I do so?

To make a gift by check, please make the check payable to: The University of Texas at Tyler, and mail it to:

The University of Texas at Tyler
Attn: Office of University Advancement
3900 University Blvd.
Tyler, TX 75799

To make a gift by credit or debit card, please call the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110. You can also give online. UT Tyler does not keep records with credit card numbers, so we are unable to establish recurring transactions.

To give a gift online by credit or debit card, please visit our online giving form.

If you or your professional advisor need help to establish an estate gift, life income gift or other planned giving arrangement please contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110.

How can I know about the university's fundraising priorities?

You may call our office at 903.566.7110 to speak with our staff. We are always happy to assist you.

How can I find out if my employer will match my gift?

Many companies match employee contributions up to a certain annual limit. Contact the Human Resource Department of your company for information about their gift-matching policy.

Is my gift to UT Tyler deductible from my income taxes?

UT Tyler is a Tax Exempt Organization and your gifts to UT Tyler are deductible to the extent you are able to claim deductions under IRS regulations. Because the IRS has placed limitations on the amount of deductions a person can claim, you should contact your tax professional before assuming that any gift to any nonprofit organization will be fully deductible on your tax return.

UT Tyler President's Council Fund FAQ

What is the UT Tyler President's Council Fund?

President's Council members are an elite group of friends of this university whose annual dues are unrestricted funds, which allow the president to allocate dollars quickly and decisively in the pursuit of excellence - for the extras that allow the university to be above average, to do the special things that enhance the educational experience of students. Membership privileges include special mailings and invitations to select UT Tyler events and programs. Memberships are available.

What do gifts to the UT Tyler President's Council Fund support?

The UT Tyler President's Council Fund provides student support. The fund is the college's highest priority for annual giving. Used exclusively to support today's students, the fund is the most effective way for UT Tyler alumni, students, parents, and friends to contribute financial support for quality education and student life. For more information, visit The UT Tyler President's Council Fund section of this site or email us at advancement@uttyler.edu.

Major Gifts FAQ

How can I explore making an investment in UT Tyler?

Donors considering significant gifts to UT Tyler work with the Office of University Advancement to match their interests with the university's priorities. Donors may make gifts through pledges paid over a term of years (two- to five-year pledges are most common), through outright gifts of cash or appreciated securities, or by setting up bequests or life income gifts (see Planned Giving for more information about such gifts). To learn more, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110 or e-mail advancement@uttyler.edu.

What is an endowment gift and an expendable gift? How does UT Tyler's endowment work?

Gifts that create endowment funds are meant to exist in perpetuity, and they are invested for long-term growth. Each year, a portion of the fund's earnings is made available in the form of payout or distribution. The payout, usually about 4 percent of the fund's value at the beginning of the fiscal year, is used for the purposes the donor and UT Tyler agreed upon when the gift was made.

How can I establish a named scholarship or endowment?

One may provide perpetual support in the form of an endowed fund wherein the principal remains intact and only a portion of the annual interest earned on its investment may be spent for the intended purpose. There is a minimum level of support ($10,000) required to establish a new endowed fund. However, a donor may add to an existing endowment at any time with any amount. Contact any development officer in the Office of Advancement at 903.566.7110.

What are the benefits of giving securities to UT Tyler?

If you have securities that have appreciated in value, giving them to UT Tyler allows you to avoid capital gains taxes while also receiving a tax deduction for your gift. To transfer securities to UT Tyler, please contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110. If you have questions, you may wish to discuss the tax benefits of your gift with your accountant or attorney.

How can I make a gift of securities to UT Tyler?

There are several options for securities. Contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110, or any major gifts officer. 

Whom should I contact to discuss a large gift opportunity?

To learn more, contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110, or any major gifts officer. You may also email advancement@uttyler.edu.

Gifts of Endowment

What are Endowments?

Endowments are permanent funds created at UT Tyler in such a way that the gift principal is protected. Only a portion of the interest earned by the fund is distributed to UT Tyler for the purpose specified by the donor.

The importance of endowments cannot be overstated. These funds provide long-term stability for UT Tyler and an enduring way for donors to honor or memorialize someone. Virtually every university and college in America highly prizes endowed funds.

What purposes do endowments serve at UT Tyler?

Most endowments are given for student financial aid to establish scholarships (for undergraduate students) or fellowships (for graduate students).

Endowments may also be created to support faculty through chairs or professorships, depending on the amount with which the fund is established. These funds are generally used to supplement salary and enable UT Tyler to attract an exceptional person, or to provide travel, research or other needed funds.

Other donors choose to create general endowments with few or no restrictions. These endowments are very important because they allow administrators great flexibility in meeting the most urgent needs of the university.

How much of my endowment gift is used for the purpose for which I make the gift?

Annual distribution levels are set by The University of Texas Board of Regents and are generally in the range of 4.5 percent to 5.0 percent of the fund balance. This is the portion of the fund available to UT Tyler for the purpose designated by the donor.

Because the funds usually earn more than the annual distribution rate, the balance of the fund grows over time, and the distribution to UT Tyler becomes larger. This keeps the fund secure from the effects of changing markets and inflation.

How are endowment funds invested?

All endowment funds given to UT Tyler are pooled with endowments from other UT System institutions for investment by The University of Texas Investment Management Company (UTIMCO), a subsidiary corporation of the UT System.

Each specific donor endowment account is tracked individually, and the account balances and income remain specifically and legally bound for the use and benefit of the institution which accepted the gift.

Every fund is subject to a small management fee (.002%) from UTIMCO, which includes an endowment compliance fee (.0008%), which funds UT System's exemplary Endowment Compliance Program. This assures our donors that funds are secure and used only for the purposes intended.

How would I go about establishing an endowment?

Contact the Office of University Advancement at 903.566.7110. Our staff will discuss the purposes for which you want to create an endowment and will draft an agreement which will express your desires.

You may wish to consider funding the gift with something other than cash to save money or maximize your gift. Gifts of appreciated securities, for example, may avoid payment of Capital Gains Tax.

Endowments may be funded by pledges of up to five years, but 20% of the full amount must be received before the endowment will actually be created. Endowments require a minimum gift of $10,000.