Charitable gifts from our alums, friends and partners support scholarships, groundbreaking research and high impact educational programs at MSU. Below you will find the many ways our donors give as well as more information on how to give a donation to MSU.
Online one-time gift: your gift will be charged to your credit or debit card.
Online Recurring gift: your gift will be charged automatically at the interval of your choice to your credit or debit card.
Call (800) 232-4MSU or (517) 884-1000. Mention the name of the fund(s) you wish to support and provide your credit card information and gift amount.
Mail checks to:
University Advancement
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824
Make check payable to “Michigan State University” and include the name of the fund you wish to support on the memo line of your check.
As an employee of Michigan State University, you can support MSU through regular gifts that are automatically deducted from your paycheck. Your investment helps further the university’s mission and its impact.
Your gift will be deducted from your monthly/bi-monthly paycheck for 12 months.
Some employers provide matching gifts that can double or even triple the value of a gift to Michigan State University. Many companies will also match gifts made by employee spouses and retirees.
When setting up a matching gift, you may be able to access the forms directly through the search below. You can also send the completed and signed form along with your gift to:
University Advancement
535 Chestnut Road, Room 300
East Lansing, MI 48824
For questions, please contact: uadv.matchinggifts@msu.edu
Honoring a special person with a gift to MSU creates a personal and lasting tribute. You can specify for whom or to what area you are making your gift. MSU will send an acknowledgement to the honoree or family of the deceased notifying them of your thoughtful gift, but not revealing the amount of your contribution.
Below is the language you may use in your loved one’s obituary or memorial pages:
In lieu of flowers the family has asked that donations be made to Michigan State University in memory of (name of deceased) allocated to (name of allocation) mailed to Michigan State University, 535 Chestnut Rd, Room 300, East Lansing, MI 48824. Memorial or tribute gifts can also be made online at givingto.msu.edu/gift/
If you would like a link that showcases a preferred fund and preferred acknowledgement information, please contact uadv.msuannualfund@msu.edu.
Commemorative Gifts
Pay tribute to an individual, group or event associated with the university by dedicating a tree, bench or brick in their honor. Visit landscapekeepsake.msu.edu for more information.
Appreciated securities and mutual funds can be a tax-smart way to make a gift to MSU.
For transfer instructions contact the Office of Gift Planning at giftplan@msu.edu or (800) 232-4678 or (517) 884-1000.
Please allow extra time at year-end to ensure timely receipt of securities for tax purposes.
Learn more about how you can make a gift through appreciated securities.
For wire transfer instructions, please visit the MSU Office of the Controller.
Additionally, it is very helpful to notify your contact in MSU Advancement of the details of any wire transfer being sent.
Depending on the country of origin, wire transfers may take up to 10 business days to arrive. The sending party is responsible for all wire transfer fees, including those that may be assessed by a third-party bank. The wire transfer will only be credited for the amount received by MSU.
For questions regarding the status of a wire transfer, please contact Keena Dunn at kmckenna@msu.edu or the Cashier’s Office at incomingwires@ctlr.msu.edu.
If you are 70½ years of age you can use your individual retirement account (IRA) to make a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to make a gift to MSU. A QCD can satisfy a required minimum distribution (up to $111,000.)
For more information on giving from your IRA, contact the Office of Gift Planning at giftplan@msu.edu or (800) 232-4678 or (517) 884-1000.
You can direct gifts to MSU from your donor advised fund (DAF). The first step is to let MSU know that you intend to direct a gift to us through your DAF. It is important for us to know the specific funds you are interested in supporting with this gift to ensure your gift is properly utilized.
Contact your DAF advisor to initiate the gift. Your advisor may need the following information when directing a gift from your donor advised fund:
Legal Name: Michigan State University
Federal Tax ID Number: 38-6005984
Visit giftplanning.msu.edu for additional information regarding DAF gifts.
MICHIGAN STATE UNIVERSITY DONOR ADVISED FUND
MSU has partnered with Bank of New York (BNY) to provide alumni and friends with access to a new donor advised fund, the Michigan State University Donor Advised Fund (MSU DAF), which you can use to enhance your overall philanthropy while supporting the university.
As a donor, you can open an MSU DAF with a minimum of $10,000, and additional contributions as low as $250.
Please reach out to the Office of Gift Planning to discuss your DAF gift details or for additional assistance regarding what to support. Contact the office at giftplan@msu.edu or (800) 232-4678 or (517) 884-1000.
An endowment gift is one of the most powerful ways you can support undergraduate scholarships, graduate fellowships and exceptional faculty at MSU. When you establish an endowment for the university, the investment provides sustainable financial support. Endowed funds can be created with a minimum of $50,000 payable over five years, or through a future gift from your estate.
Gifts to endowment will be administered as a permanent endowment under Michigan law and university policies.
The Office of Gift Planning can help you discover ways to leave a legacy while making the best use of your assets. Contact the office to learn how you can turn your philanthropic dreams into a plan.
Some methods of planned gifts include:
To get started, visit giftplanning.msu.edu or contact the Office of Gift Planning at giftplan@msu.edu or (800) 232-4678 or (517) 884-1000.
You may set up a gift payable over a five-year period by setting up a pledge agreement. Pledges can be made for gifts of $10,000 or more. To get started, please call University Advancement at (517) 884-1000.
Search Matching Gift Companies
To find out if a company has a matching gift policy, enter the company name below. When setting up a matching gift, you may be able to access the forms directly through the search below.