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| Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) |
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| Why give to Aquinas College? |
| What is the Institutional Advancement Department? |
| What is the Aquinas Fund? |
| What other programs can I support? |
| When I give to Aquinas College, where does my money go? |
| What are the ways to give to the Aquinas Fund? |
| I have a slightly used object that I no longer need. Could you use it/them? |
| How do I estimate the value of my object? |
| I would like to make a pledge to be paid by a certain date. Is that possible, or do I have to pay the entire amount at the same time? |
| Can I pay my pledge in installments? |
| Will I get a pledge reminder? |
| I made a pledge, but making payments have become difficult right now. Can I cancel my pledge? |
| How to do I make a credit card donation online? |
| Is it safe to use my credit card online? |
| What credit cards do you accept? |
| What is a matching gift? |
| How do I know if my company is a matching gift company? |
| Yes, my company does match, now what? |
| How can my donation to Aquinas College affect my tax refund? |
| Will I receive a call this year from an Aquinas student asking for a donation? |
| How do I go about giving a gift of stock? |
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| Q: Why give to Aquinas College? |
| A: Aquinas College is the only Catholic liberal arts college in West Michigan. As followers of the Dominican tradition, Aquinas provides an open and engaging learning environment focused on service and leadership at home and in the community. |
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| Q: What is the Institutional Advancement Department? |
| A: Institutional Advancement is responsible for providing the financial resources necessary to operate and grow the College. You can meet the staff here. |
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| Q: What is the Aquinas Fund? |
| A: Every Year, the Aquinas Fund provides about $1.7 million in student scholarship assistance. This averages $3,000 to 4,000 per student. To learn more about the Aquinas Fund, click here. |
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| Q: What other programs can I support? |
| A: Tuition provides only 70% of the revenues necessary to operate the College. Special projects in every department are supported by donors and the endowment. To make a gift, click here. |
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Q: When I give to Aquinas College, where does my money go? |
| A: To every identified need on campus; from professional faculty development to scientific equipment. Whatever the need, whatever your interest, your gift can be directed to address College needs and wishes. |
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| Q: What are the ways to give to the Aquinas Fund? |
| A: Making a gift to the Aquinas Fund is easy. You can give online, by mail, by phone or in person. |
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| Q: I have a slightly used object that I no longer need. Could you use it/them? |
| A: Aquinas is always interested in considering donated equipment and other physical property. Contact the appropriate department and they will let you know their needs. |
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| Q: How do I estimate the value of my object? |
| A: According to IRS guidelines, fair market value is the price at which property would change hands between a willing buyer and a willing seller and both having reasonable knowledge of all the relevant facts. For more information, please visit the IRS Charities Web site and pull up Publication 526: Charitable Donations. |
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| Q: I would like to make a pledge to be paid by a certain date. Is that possible, or do I have to pay the entire amount at the same time? |
A: You can make a pledge by using the online pledge form or donate online. |
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| Q: Can I pay my pledge in installments? |
| A: Most certainly. Please download the online pledge form and use the space provided on the form to specify your desired payment schedule. |
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| Q: Will I get a pledge reminder? |
A: We will send pledge reminders one month before the pledge is due. |
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| Q: I made a pledge, but making payments have become difficult right now. Can I cancel my pledge? |
A: We understand that things can happen that affect your finances. Please contact the Institutional Advancement office for options by e-mail or by phone at (800) 748-0186. |
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| Q: How to do I make a credit card donation online? |
A: Click here to go to our online donation page. |
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| Q: Is it safe to use my credit card online? |
A: The gift processing department at Aquinas College goes to great lengths to keep credit card information confidential. Please refer to our Online Donation Security and Privacy Statement for more information. |
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| Q: What credit cards do you accept? |
| A: Visa and MasterCard. To give online using your credit card, click here. |
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| Q: What is a matching gift? |
A: Many companies accomplish their annual charitable giving by matching, dollar-for-dollar (and some times more then that), employee contributions to a charitable cause. Ask your Human Resources Department for a Matching Gift Form. |
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| Q: How do I know if my company is a matching gift company? |
| A: Contact your Human Resource Department to see if your company has a matching opportunity. |
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| Q: Yes, my company does match, now what? |
A: Most commonly, you submit your company's matching gift form with proof of your gift to Aquinas. Please let us know about your intentions and we will follow up with your company. Thanks! |
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| Q: How can my donation to Aquinas College affect my tax refund? |
| A: Because of the Michigan tax credit, the cost of your gift to the College could be effectively reduced. Below are a few examples, but please check with your financial advisor regarding your specific situation. |
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Single Taxpayer |
Married Taxpayer |
| Amount of Gift or Pledge |
$200 |
$400 |
| State Tax Credit |
$100 |
$200 |
| Federal Tax Rate |
28% |
28% |
| Federal Tax Savings |
$56 |
$112 |
| Total Tax Savings |
$156 |
$312 |
| Actual Cost of Gift |
$44 |
$88 |
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| Q: Will I receive a call this year from an Aquinas student asking for a donation? |
| A: As much as we would like to reach all of our alumni and friends, we are not able to contact everyone in our database. If you would like to make a donation before getting a telephone call, please go to our on-line donation page. |
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| Q: How do I go about giving a gift of stock? |
A: If you would like to donate stock, please call the Institutional Advancement Department at (616) 632-2809 or e-mail us. |
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