Thoughtful gift planning applies not only to the way you give but also the designation of your support. Gifts may be given in support of current operations, capital projects, or endowment. Unrestricted gifts provide the most flexibility and allow Occidental to use the gift where the need is greatest. Restricted gifts may be designated for a particular purpose within the College’s identified institutional needs, including student scholarships, faculty recruitment and retention, library resources and acquisitions, computer upgrades and information technology, academic programs, facilities maintenance and renovation, and student life. Whatever you choose to support, you can be assured that your gift will provide the crucial resources necessary to sustain excellence at Occidental. 

Current Operations

The actual cost of an Occidental education exceeds the revenue derived from tuition, room and board charges, and income from the College’s endowment. Private gifts play a critical role in supporting the fundamental operations of the College each year. Gifts designated for current operations are fully expendable and are crucial to sustain the high standard of education for which Occidental is known.  Gifts made from College alumni for current purposes count in the Alumni Fund.

Naming opportunities exist at the College for current year scholarships and undergraduate student research scholarships.

Capital Projects

In the competitive marketplace of higher education, providing top rate facilities is essential to attract and retain the best students and the strongest faculty. Gifts for capital projects allow for continual enhancement of the physical plant at the College. In recognition of significant gifts made for capital purposes, naming opportunities on campus exist. A list of these naming opportunities is available upon request. 

Endowment

Gifts to the endowment at Occidental provide donors an opportunity to leave an indelible imprint on the College beyond their lifetimes. Endowed gifts are not fully expendable; rather, they are invested in perpetuity to provide lasting support for a given purpose. Following the College’s spending policy, at the beginning of each fiscal year a percentage of the endowed fund is allocated for expenditure. Annual spending is generally less than fund growth so that the annual payout from an endowed fund will increase over time.

The College has a variety of general pooled endowment funds to which donors may contribute at any time. Or, individual donors who wish to establish a named endowed fund (i.e. named for themselves or for a significant individual in their life) may do so through a written agreement between the donor and the College with a minimum gift of $50,000. The endowment minimum required to name various types of endowed funds is determined by the Occidental College Board of Trustees. To establish a named endowment fund reflective of your personal interests and wishes, please call the Office of Institutional Advancement at 800-448-2699.   

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This information is provided with the understanding that Occidental College is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice and assumes no liability whatsoever in connection with its use.  Because tax laws are constantly changing and are subject to differing interpretations, we urge you to consult your tax and financial advisors before acting on the information contained herein.

 

Last updated:01/23/08