What is the gift fee?
The gift fee is a one-time contribution assessed on each gift to help sustain development activities in support of Tarleton State University’s educational, research and service mission. The gift fee was established on April 4, 2022 with an agreement between Tarleton State University and the Tarleton State University Foundation, Inc. The gift fee will be applied to gifts processed by the TSU Foundation to help support the University and costs related to soliciting, processing and stewarding private contributions
How will it help Tarleton State University?
The goal of the TSU Foundation and Institutional Advancement (IA) is to significantly increase the number of donors and amount of private charitable dollars to support TSU, and to continuously improve the health of the University’s endowments. Doing so requires upgrades to information and processing systems, supporting the growth and efficiency of fundraising operations and increasing the number of focused fundraising staff across campus. The Foundation and IA staff members work in close partnership with university administrators, deans and faculty to secure charitable contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations to support identified priorities for the university. Each of these initiatives expands our capacity to encourage philanthropic support for TSU among alumni and friends.
How will the gift fee be applied?
Upon receipt of a gift, the Foundation will deduct the one-time gift fee from the amount gifted. While the fee will have only a minor effect on individual funds, its collective impact will encourage sustained growth in private support across the University.
Effective April 4, 2022 the gift fee applies as follows:
- 4% on all gifts up to $5 million
- For gifts greater than $5 million, the gift fee applies only to the first $5 million of the total gift.
- Gifts specified for construction projects will be assessed a 2.5% fee. For gifts greater than $10 million, the gift fee applies only to the first $10 million of the total gift.
In addition, effective August 9, 2023, gift fees will be applied to other transactions including but not limited to events and memberships.
Do other universities have a gift fee?
Yes. About 75 percent of peer institutions with endowment assets below $1 billion apply a similar fee, with those fees generally ranging between 4 and 10 percent.
Does the gift fee affect tax deductibility of contributions?
The fee does not affect the tax deductibility of gifts and you will receive full credit for the total contributed amount as well as your pledged commitment. Donors will receive gift receipts for the full amount of their gifts.
Does the gift fee apply to pledge payments?
Gift fees are applied to pledge payments received after April 4, 2022. Any payment received prior to April 4, 2022 did not incur a fee.
What about gifts made by credit card or gifts of stock?
The gift fee applies to gifts made by credit card and gifts made by transfer of stock or securities. This fee is assessed after the credit card and wiring fees have been deducted.
Does the gift fee apply to in-kind, non-cash or real estate gifts?
If an in-kind, non-cash or real estate asset is sold and the net proceeds benefit TSU, then the gift fee will be collected from the net proceeds received in the sale of that item.
Can the gift fee be waived?
The gift fee cannot be waived, but there are specific instances where the gift fee will not apply such as a private foundation that has a pre-existing written policy against providing gifts to institutions where gift fees would be deducted.
Can I pay the fee with a separate or additional donation?
Yes, a donor may choose to increase their gift amount to offset the gift fee. The donor has the option to pay the fee on tickets and memberships as well.