How to Give to Doane University

It is easy to support Doane University by donating a portion of your harvest through the University's gift of grain program.  Gift of Grain is a unique way to make a gift to the University while achieving tax savings.  The value of the grain may be designated for the purpose you choose -- to support the Doane Scholarship Fund, create an endowed scholarship in your family’s name, or support a specific academic program or athletic group.  Any gift makes an immediate impact on the students of this campus. 

Benefits:

Farm operators using cash accounting may receive significant tax savings through gifting commodities to Doane University.  Contributing grain/crops/commodities may allow you to deduct the cost of production and avoid income taxation on the gift portion of the grain, which would reduce both adjust gross income and self-employment tax. 

Important Information:

• To make a gift of grain to Doane University, the taxpayer/donor must be a farm operator.
• The gift must be from unsold crop inventory with no prior sale commitment and not in warehouse receipts.
• The donor cannot provide any guidance in the transfer agreement as to the sale of the grain.  Doane University must have control and dominion over the gift.
• The donor assumes cost of the transportation, storage and drying of the grain prior to the transfer being made to Doane University.  After the transfer, Doane University will assume all costs of storage, marketing and transportation.
• It is always advised that you consult with a tax advisor prior to making a gift to Doane University.

How to Make your Gift:

1. Consult with your tax or legal advisor about gifts of this type.
2. Contact the Advancement Office at 402-826-8258 and let Doane University know you will be gifting grain.  Or mail/email a gift of grain commitment form to the Advancement Office at [email protected].    
3. Deliver the grain to your local elevator or co-op.  The grain elevator will create an account in the name of:
   Doane University
   1014 Boswell Avenue
   Crete, NE 68333
4. Ask the grain elevator for a warehouse or storage receipt showing Doane University as the owner, or a notarized letter of transfer for crops stored on the farm.  The original sales invoice should list Doane University as seller.
5. Send the storage receipt to Doane University.
6. Instruct the grain elevator to send the contract to sell the grain to Doane University.  The elevator should refrain from selling the grain or issuing a check without specific instructions from Doane University.
7. Doane University will contact the grain elevator and order the sale of the grain.
8. Doane University will acknowledge the gift following the sale. 

For more information, please contact Thom Reeves at [email protected] or 402-826-8258.

Thank you for including Doane University in your end-of-year giving. A gift to Doane University invigorates our legacy of excellence, provides for engaging student experiences, and strengthens our community. 

For any questions, please contact the Office of Advancement at [email protected] or by calling 402.826.8258.

Please Note: Doane University will be closed on Tuesday, December 24th, and remain closed during the holidays.  We will reopen on Thursday, January 2rd, 2025. 

Have an IRA?

Charitable distributions directly from your IRA (up to $100,000), allow it to avoid being taxable income.   You avoid paying taxes on the withdrawal and support a charity.  Many alumni do this every year, some starting an endowed scholarship.   Also, consider making Doane or a charity the beneficiary of your IRA.   Funds in your IRA will be taxable income to a person or persons receiving the funds as a beneficiary.   By making a charity the beneficiary, the full value of your funds go to support your charity, which of course makes a bigger impact.   This is the reason your IRA should be a source of charitable giving in your estate, and it's simple to do!         

Consult with your tax advisor or counsel for advice as you consider and make your philanthropic and financial plans.

Ways to Give by the End of the Year

Online

Credit card gifts may be made online through December 31st, 2024 by midnight by visiting our Giving Page.

Telephone 

To give by phone, please call 402.826.8258 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Central Standard Time.   Remember, our office is closed between Christmas Eve and New Years.   Please note, the end of the year sees an increased call volume, and if you reach an answering machine, leave a message and we will return the call promptly. 

Check 

Checks must be dated and postmarked no later than December 31st, 2024.  Checks sent via the USPS must have a 2024 postmark. 

Mail your check to:

Doane University 
Advancement Office
1014 Boswell Ave 
Crete, NE 68333

Hand Delivery 

Please deliver your checks to Doane University's Office of Advancement prior to 4:00 p.m. (CST) on Monday, December 23, 2024, gifts received by December 23nd will count as a calendar 2024 gift.

The Office of Advancement is located at:

Doane University
Office of Advancement / Padour Walker Administration Building, top floor, northwest corner  
1014 Boswell Avenue
Crete, NE 68333

Gift of Securities 

Gifts of securities must arrive to one of our existing brokerage accounts by the end of the trading day prior to, or on December 31st - the last trading day of the calendar year. 

Please be aware that this is the deadline for the funds to be in our brokerage account, and will require lead time for your broker to transfer the funds, which can be 3-5 business days. For more information, please visit our Securities Transfer Information page. 

PLEASE NOTE - Due to the PATRIOT Act, transfers don't include the name of who initiated the transfer, so we ask for all gifts of securities, please let us know - call 402.826.8258 or email [email protected].

MEMORIAL TREES

Memorial trees may commemorate an individual or an event and will enhance the campus and arboretum, through a donation of $500.   Memorial trees are often done in conjunction with a Memorial rock and plaque.  

MEMORIAL BENCHES

The campus offers many beautiful locations for memorial benches, which become wonderful places to visit and study. A memorial bench may be purchased starting at $2,500.

MEMORIAL ROCKS & PLAQUES

Memorial rocks provide a lasting tribute nestled among the gorgeous landscape of the college. Rocks may be purchased for $500 which includes a standard affixed engraved plaque.   Memorial rocks are often done in conjunction with a Memorial tree.   There may be additional costs for changes to the standard rock or plaque.  

CODY FANNING MEMORIAL

DOANE ATHLETIC RECOGNITION WALL

Located inside Memorial Stadium just southeast of the field, the memorial wall is named after the late Cody Fanning '2012, a former Doane football player who passed away while still a student.  The wall is to recognize and honor Doane athletes who have passed.  To have a name added to the wall the cost is $250.  This donation supports the athletic program at Doane.   

CASSEL THEATRE PATHWAY - Bricks & Pavers

Personalized bricks may be purchased for $150 to be placed along the perimeter of Cassel Theatre. Pavers (larger square tiles) can also be purchased for $500 and may include a logo/graphic. Use the link above to order.  

CAMPUS PROJECTS - BUILDINGS 

New buildings, renovations, additions and updates are a need and always a part of the future plans for Doane.  There are naming opportunities to leave a legacy and have your name or a name on a building, classrooms, offices, etc.   These may still be just wishes and thoughts, but some are being planned.   Contact the Advancement Office at Doane for more information.   

SCHOLARSHIPS 

Leaving a legacy with a named endowed scholarship starts at $25,000.  This amount can be given over the course of up to five years.   The scholarship agreement includes the selection criteria along with a biography and picture of the person (or people) donated or being honored so recipients of the scholarship know who the person is or was along with their story.    A dinner is held each Spring on campus to bring the donor or representative of the donor to campus to meet the student recipient.  

 For more information on memorial gifts,
please contact Thomas Reeves, (402) 826-8284.

By Phone

Call Doane's Advancement Office at 402.826.8258. A staff member will speak with you about making your gift over the phone.

By Mail

Print and complete the Doane University Giving Form and send it to the address listed below along with your gift in check form.

Doane University
Advancement Office
1014 Boswell Avenue
Crete, NE 68333

Stock & Securities

Doane University welcomes gifts of stocks, bonds or other securities. Gifts of this type allow you to make a substantial gift to Doane University at a minimal cost and may have significant tax advantages.

Make a Gift of Stock, Bonds, or other securities

To ensure a secure transfer, please contact Thomas R. Reeves, Director of Planned Giving at 402-826-8284.