Ways to Give

"Building on the Foundation" by making gifts makes everything we do possible. Your generous contributions will be used to build the college of business and to help its students receive the highest quality education there is to offer. Explore how your gifts will help or make a gift right now.

Why Give?

Private gifts are an important reason that the College of Business is the outstanding college that it is today. Gifts from alumni, friends, faculty and staff, students, and private companies/foundations have enabled the college to outfit 21st Century classrooms, establish chairs of excellence and distinguished professorships, and award donor-funded scholarships. These additional enhancements and opportunities make the College of Business more attractive, since none of this would have been possible without your generous support.

What kinds of gifts can I make?

FUTURE GIFTS
You may commit to future gifts with a pledge or by establishing a planned/deferred gift. Contact the Office of University Development for paper forms. As with current gifts, future gifts may be either restricted or unrestricted. 

MEMORIAL/HONORARY GIFTS
You may memorialize or honor a person or persons of your choice simply by making an annotation on your check or attaching a request. Memorial or honorary endowments may be established within the guidelines outlined below under endowments.

MATCHING GIFTS
Matching gifts supported by hundreds of corporations/foundations provide an outstanding opportunity to greatly increase individual gifts.

ENDOWMENTS
An endowment may be established for a minimum gift of $10,000 or a pledge that may be paid over a maximum of five years. Both a signed pledge and a letter of agreement are required.

SCHOLARSHIPS
For many donors, funding scholarships is a popular choice. Donor-funded scholarships fall into two general categories: annually funded and endowment funded.

You may establish annual scholarships on a one time or multi year basis. We request that a pledge and/or a letter of agreement be prepared so that the recipient college/school/department may plan accordingly if the donor intends to fund an annual scholarship over a number of years. Annual scholarships may range from a few hundred to several thousand dollars; however, a minimum of $500/year is required to name a scholarship. The donor may attach university-approved criteria to the awarding of the scholarship. Criteria may be related to academic performance, major, financial need, etc.; however, the university prefers less restrictive criteria. Unrestricted scholarship gifts to any of these entities provide maximum flexibility for using the scholarship according to the greatest need such as financial aid, recruiting or retention.

Endowed scholarships may be established for a minimum of $10,000 payable over a period not to exceed five years. A letter of agreement that spells out the guidelines and criteria for administration of the scholarship is always required. An endowment is established in perpetuity such that the principal is never used. Individual endowments are managed and invested as part of a larger pool of endowed funds. Scholarships are funded from investment earnings after the minimum endowment of $10,000 is established. Earnings distribution is based on the total value of the endowment at the end of the calendar year. Unused earnings are returned to the principal so that it continues to grow.

Numerous endowed scholarships have been established by individuals, groups of individuals, corporations, faculty or via a bequest or trust. These scholarships honor or memorialize loved ones, remember a favorite faculty member, department, program, school or college or may be totally unrestricted. Individuals other than the original donors may also contribute to established endowments.

What ways can I give to the College of Business Board of Trustees?

There are different areas in which to place your gifts, including current funds, restricted funds or endowed funds. There are even more ways to give. These ways include making an outright gift, such as writing a check, donating stocks or bonds; and planned deferred gifts, such as bequests, life insurance policies, and charitable trusts.

Current gifts will be used to meet immediate needs within the fiscal year. Restricted gifts will designate your contribution to a specific need or program and will be used until funds are expended. Endowed gifts will make an impact for years to come because the initial gift remains in the endowment while a portion of the interest is used for your designation.

Explore the descriptions and methods of giving or call a foundation staff with any questions. We are available to talk by phone or in person about your gift planning needs.

Give Now!

COB Board of Trustees
Box 5023
Cookeville, TN 38505

Voice  (931) 372-3649
Fax     (931) 372-6530