Office of University Development
“An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”
- Benjamin Franklin
Nicholls State University depends on support from alumni, parents, private foundations, corporations and organizations to help meet the increasing needs of providing academic excellence for students in the Bayou Region and beyond.
The Office of University Development is charged with planning and executing annual fund campaigns, capital campaigns, endowments, planned giving initiatives and other fund-raising activities to provide financial support for Nicholls State University.
Please feel free to call, write or e-mail the Office of University Development for more information about providing support to Nicholls.
Our Mission
The Office of Development works to advance opportunities for Nicholls State University to provide vibrant educational experiences in the cultural heart of the Bayou region by working closely with the Nicholls Foundation, Colonel Athletic Association and Alumni Federation.
WAYS TO GIVE
Outright Gifts
Outright gifts benefit Nicholls directly and are the simplest to make. Gifts can take the form of cash (including checks and credit cards), securities and real estate. Gifts of collectibles, such as rare books or works of art, may also be of value to Nicholls but should not be encouraged without consultation with the development office.
Your outright gift of cash or check, made before the end of each year, is tax deductible, to the extent permitted by law in the year of donation. Checks or money orders should be made payable to the Nicholls State University Foundation Inc.
Gift Pledges
Gift pledges are a way for donors to maximize their gift by pledging a larger amount and paying their pledge out over a period of years. A pledge is a written promise or intent to make a charitable gift to the Foundation. Pledges may be made at any time throughout the year and can be fulfilled over three to five years through monthly payments via check or credit card. Credit card payments can be set up as recurring gifts to be automatically credited to your pledge each month.
Credit Cards
Credit cards are a convenient way to make a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly contribution, should you so desire. Your MasterCard, VISA, American Express or Discover card can be used to process your gift. Credit card donations may be made by calling the development office at 985.448.4009.
NEWS & EVENTS
Morgan City Oilfield Fishing Rodeo Continues Support of PETSM Program
Growing the Future: Port of South Louisiana Partners with Nicholls
New Scholarship to Benefit Grad Students
Oh Là Là Set to Wow Audiences with Wide Array of Music
MATCHING GIFTS
Many corporations will match their employee contributions to Nicholls State University and other non-profits. Some matches are one-to-one, so your gift, for example, of $25 can mean $50 to Nicholls. There are a few companies that offer two-to-one or even three-to-one matches. Please check with your Human Resources department for the necessary forms to complete and send with your donation. The Office of Development will verify your gift and communicate back with your company.
Matching corporate gifts are entered as gifts from your employer, but you will receive “soft credit” for the company gift. Using the example above, you would be recognized as a donor at the $50 level.
STAFF
Jeremy Becker, MBA, CFRE
Monique Crochet, M.Ed
Hillary Charpentier, M.Ed.
Mary (Mitzi) Jackson, M.D.
PLANNED GIVING
The Nicholls Foundation offers a number of opportunities for you to consider when planning your specific asset management strategy. Listed below are brief descriptions of vehicles you may wish to discuss with your attorney or tax planning specialist. We encourage you to discuss your gift with our Office of Development before finalizing any planned giving strategy for proper beneficiary language. The office can be reached at 985.448.4009.
This information is not to be considered legal, accounting or tax advice. Please seek the advice of competent counsel before making any important decisions.
Planned Giving
Life-income funds and other planned gifts are extraordinary ways for alumni or friends of Nicholls to make substantial gifts while benefiting from the income during their lifetime. These irrevocable gifts provide favorable tax deductions and often reduce capital gains taxes on appreciated securities. For information about planned giving, please call the Office of Development at 985.448.4009.
Life Insurance
A gift of life insurance may be made to benefit the university as an outright or planned gift. As with other forms of planned giving, the gift of a life insurance policy can offer certain tax advantages. An existing policy may be transferred, or a new policy may be purchased specifically as a means of gifting to Nicholls through the Nicholls State University Foundation. (Please note that that this applies to whole life policies only.)
Many of us purchase life insurance to ensure the financial stability of our families in the event of an untimely death. If your circumstances have changed, and you have a life insurance policy you may no longer need, you might consider naming the Nicholls Foundation as beneficiary. The Office of Development can assist with proper beneficiary designation.
Bequests
A gift by bequest through a will or trust is another way to leave a legacy at Nicholls State University. Bequests allow donors full use of their capital during their lifetimes, and such gifts are very important to the university to help build endowments for scholarships and other needs.
Bequests can take one of several forms, including a bequest to leave a specific amount, a fixed percentage or as a remainder bequest after all other bequests have been satisfied. You can also bequeath real property, such as your home or other real estate, and tangible personal property, such as rare books, artwork and other collectibles. If you have already prepared your will or trust, your attorney can help you modify it by adding a codicil to include a gift to the Nicholls State University Foundation.
Please note that all bequests to benefit the university should list the Nicholls State University Foundation Inc. as the beneficiary. For sample bequest language, contact the Office of Development.
Charitable Annuities and Trusts
There are other forms of planned giving that offer benefits to the donor and/or a designated beneficiary while providing a donation to the university.
- A charitable gift annuity can be created by transferring cash or securities valued at $10,000 or more to the Nicholls Foundation, and in return, the donor receives guaranteed fixed payments for life of the donor and/or a designated beneficiary.
- There are other similar vehicles available to you to benefit Nicholls through the Nicholls State University Foundation. Your tax adviser or estate planning attorney can assist you in determining which instrument best meets your needs while also benefiting Nicholls.
ENDOWMENTS
Naming Opportunities
There are numerous naming opportunities, such as classrooms, conference rooms, academic centers and other areas. For information about naming opportunities, call the Office of Development at 985.448.4009.
Endowed Chairs, Professorships
Endowments provide an excellent way for Nicholls to attract and retain highly qualified faculty. Faculty who are on the cutting edge of their respective disciplines help insure that students are receiving the finest instruction possible. For information about endowing a chair or professorship, contact the Office of Development at 985.448.4009.
Endowed Scholarships
Scholarships enable Nicholls to attract the best and brightest students. For TOPS-eligible students, it provides additional financial assistance beyond basic tuition and other TOPS stipends. Endowed scholarships provide an annual benefit for students since only the interest earned is used to fund the scholarship. For information about endowing a scholarship, contact the Office of Development at 985.448.4009.
