Giving to the Marine Corps University Foundation

By joining our annual membership program, you can stay involved with the Marine Corps University and other Marine education programs.

Annual Membership

Friends of the Foundation - individuals who have made gifts of $5,000 or more during the past fiscal year. Members are listed in our publications.
Benefactor - individuals who have made gifts in the range of $1,000-$4,999 during the past fiscal year.
Patron - individuals who have made gifts in the range of $500-$999 during the past fiscal year.
Associate - individuals who have made gifts in the range of $250-$499 during the past fiscal year.
Supporter - individuals who have made gifts in the range of $100-$249 during the past fiscal year.
Contributor - individuals who have made gifts in the range of $1-$99 during the past fiscal year.

Eagle Globe & Anchor Society

Honors individuals who have established a planned gift for the Foundation. There is no minimum gift level and membership is for life. Members are also listed in our publications and on our special Society Plaque.

Corporate Membership Program
The Corporate Membership Program serves to benefit both the mission of the Foundation and the corporate member. The program is very crucial in maintaining the level of program support we provide to the Marine Corps University and the Fleet Marine Forces around the world. There are four distinct levels with specific benefits at each level. The benefits may be tailored to meet the corporation's individual needs.

Scarlet and Gold Council $50,000

Tax-deductible contribution per current tax laws
3 tables at Foundation Special Events with select table assignment and public acknowledgement
2 foursomes at the Foundation's Semper Fidelis Golf Classic
Special recognition in event programs, literature, and newsletters
Guest of the Foundation at all program activities and Foundation events

Commandant's Council $25,000

Tax-deductible contribution per current tax laws
Annual Corporate Membership
3 tables at Foundation Special Events with select table assignment and public acknowledgement
2 foursomes at the Foundation's Semper Fidelis Golf Classic
Special recognition in event programs, literature, and newsletters
Guest of the Foundation at all program activities and Foundation events

Leadership Council $15,000

Tax-deductible contribution per current tax laws
Annual Corporate Membership
2 tables at Foundation Special Events
1 foursome at the Foundation's Semper Fidelis Golf Classic
Printed recognition in event programs, literature, and newsletters
Guest of the Foundation at all program activities and Foundation events

Semper Fidelis Council $10,000

Tax-deductible contributing per current tax laws
Annual Corporate Membership
1 table at a Foundation Special Event
1 foursome at the Foundation's Semper Fidelis Golf Classic
Printed recognition in event programs, literature, and newsletters
Guest of the Foundation at all program activities and Foundation events

General John A. Lejeune Council $5,000

Tax-deductible contribution per current tax laws
An invitation to all Special Events and the Semper Fidelis Golf Classic
Guest of the Foundation at all program activities and Foundation events
Recognized in any listing of Corporate Members published in newsletters or included in Foundation promotional materials

Participation on our Corporate Membership Program is limited. Please contact John Hales, Chief Operating Officer, at (703) 640-6835 or toll free (888) 368-5341.

Ways of Giving

Annual Fund Gifts
Unrestricted gifts to our Annual Fund allow the Foundation to progress in reaching its goal of enhancing professional military education and leadership of Marines. The Annual Fund picks up where revenues leave off, enabling the Foundation to strengthen and enhance its programs. Because of the unrestricted nature of Annual Fund contributions, the money provides the additional budgetary support necessary to underwrite special initiatives of the University. Unrestricted gifts also permit the Foundation to tend to the daily, and sometimes extraordinary, costs of operating. Your gift to the Annual Fund makes a difference in allowing us to continue our mission. Donate now

Stock Gifts
Stock is such a convenient way of giving that many donors use to enjoy additional tax savings. If you transfer stock that has been held for more than a year and which has appreciated in value, the Foundation can sell the stock and will avoid tax on the gain. If your stock has been held for more than a year but has decreased in value, it may be more advantageous to you to sell the stock and give a cash gift to the Foundation. For your convenience we have available a stock power certificate to help facilitate a transfer. To make a gift of securities, please call (or have your broker call) John Hales, Chief Operating Officer at (703) 640-6835 or toll free (888) 368-5341.

Memorial and Honor Gifts
Each year, the Foundation receives many gifts "in memory" and "in honor" of Marines. Donors recognize the importance that the Foundation played in their loved ones' lives and want to continue to support our mission. These gifts can be unrestricted, or designated to a specific fund. At the donor's request, the surviving spouse or a designated family member will be notified of the memorial gift. For gifts made "in honor" to recognize a particular occasion or person, we will be happy to send a special letter to the honoree notifying them of the donor's tribute gift. Donate now

Matching Gifts
Many Foundation supporters take advantage of their company's matching gift program. A matching gift program is a corporate-sponsored benefit that matches, doubles or even triples an employee's gift to the Foundation. Some companies also match gifts from retirees, spouses, surviving spouses, and outside directors. To find out if your company has a matching gift program, contact your Human Resources Department. If your company has a matching gift plan, request the appropriate form and send it to the Foundation with your contribution.

Planned Giving
Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, all Marine Corps University Foundation programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift to the Foundation helps to ensure the future of the programs we provide and may further your financial goals.

Now is the time to establish an effective long-range estate and financial plan to allow you to leave a lasting legacy at the Marine Corps University Foundation. When you plan ahead, your legacy gift may be much larger than you may have thought possible. At the same time, you will be making plans for your future and for the future of your loved ones.

We currently accommodate bequests and gifts of retirement plans. However, we would be glad to work with you if you would like to establish another type of planned gift.

Bequests
Many of our supporters make charitable gifts by naming the Marine Corps University Foundation as a beneficiary in their wills. You need a will to direct how your property will be used and distributed after your lifetime. It does not reduce your current income, yet it does enable you to provide substantial future support for a cause that is important to you. Bequests, both large and small, have been important to the Foundation. Charitable giving through your will can benefit your heirs as well. Bequests that reduce the size of your taxable estate can reduce gift and estate taxes. There are a number of bequest giving methods:

A percentage bequest expresses your gift as a percent of estate value.
A specific bequest designates what and how much you leave to a particular cause.
A residual bequest gives to charity all that remains after debts, taxes, expenses and designations to individuals are taken care of out of the estate.
A contingent bequest passes specific property to charity only if certain events occur, such as a beneficiary relinquishing the rights to an inheritance, or a beneficiary predeceasing you. What are the benefits to you?
Charitable gifts made through your will are deductible for estate tax purposes.
A charitable bequest may place your estate in a lower tax bracket.
You may direct your bequest to our annual fund, or to a specific program.
If you wish to establish an endowment fund through your will, you can request that it be named for you or anyone you wish to honor.
When you advise us of the designation of the Foundation as a beneficiary in your will, you will be invited to join our Eagle, Globe, & Anchor Society.

Your own attorney should draft your will. We will be pleased to consult in confidence with you and your legal advisor about the phrasing of any specific bequest you may have in mind. Gifts of Retirement Plans

You can make a deferred gift by naming the Marine Corps University Foundation as the beneficiary of a qualified savings plan. A qualified savings plan may include an IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or retirement account. What are the benefits to you?

By designating your retirement assets, you can avoid passing on a significant income tax burden to your heirs, which often is associated with the inheritance of qualified savings plan assets.

You may reduce your estate tax.
You will have the satisfaction of supporting our mission.
When you advise us of the designation of the Foundation as beneficiary of your qualified savings plan, you will be invited to join our Eagle, Globe & Anchor Society. What do you do to designate your retirement assets?
In order to make such a gift, you simply need to designate the Marine Corps University Foundation as the beneficiary of your qualified savings plan.
Your plan administrator should be able to provide you with the appropriate forms.