FAQ

You can make a secure gift online on our GiveCampus page. Or to mail your gift, please use the following address:

Pacific Lutheran University
Attn: Gift Processing
12180 Park Ave S Tacoma, WA 98447

Make your check payable to: Pacific Lutheran University. If there is a specific area you would like to support, please note it in the check memo line.

Also, our team is ready to help! If you’d like to discuss which giving options are best for you and your charitable goals, please contact us.

Yes! The IRS encourages support of charitable organizations by allowing an income tax charitable deduction to those who itemize their taxes. Here’s how it works:

• Charitable cash gifts may be deducted up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income.
• There is a five-year carry-over of unused deduction amounts, enabling you to spread the deduction over as many as six years.
• There are other rules governing charitable deductions for different types of gifts.

It is worth calling the Office of Advancement to discuss the tax impact of various gift strategies. We encourage all donors to seek outside legal or financial advice.

Beginning with the 1994 tax year, the Internal Revenue Service requires non-profit organizations to provide donors with a good-faith estimate of the value of any benefits received due to their gifts.

When a donor calculates a charitable deduction, the value of any related benefits must be subtracted from the contribution amount. Benefits valued at 2% of the gift amount or $132 (in 2024), whichever is less, and certain low-cost token items are viewed by the IRS as insubstantial and do not need to be considered when determining a contribution’s tax deductibility. Consult your tax advisor with any specific questions or concerns.

Unless stated otherwise in your acknowledgment, no goods or services were provided in consideration of your contribution. If you receive a benefit later from your gift, you will be informed of its fair market value at that time.

The PLU Tax Identification Number is 91-0565571.

Pacific Lutheran University is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization dedicated to securing and stewarding private gifts and grants that benefit the University. Your gift is very much appreciated and may be tax deductible pursuant to IRC §170(c). Each year, thousands of generous donors make gifts to show their support for PLU.

PLU is registered to solicit charitable contributions with the appropriate governing authorities in all states requiring registration. The organization is located at:

Pacific Lutheran University
12180 Park Avenue S.
Tacoma, WA 98447
253-535-7411

A copy of our latest financial report can be found here.

If you are a resident of the following states, please review the applicable, required disclosure statement. Registration does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval, sanction or recommendation by any state/county.

Colorado
#20173041360
Colorado residents may obtain copies of registration and financial documents from the office of the Secretary of State at 303-894-2680 or http://www.sos.state.co.us.

Maryland
A copy of the current financial statement of the organization is available upon request from the organization using its address/telephone number listed above. For the cost of copies and postage documents and information submitted under the Maryland Solicitation Act are also available from the Secretary of State, State House, Annapolis, MD 21401, 410-974-5534.

New Jersey
Information filed with the attorney general concerning this charitable solicitation and the percentage of contributions received by the charity during the last reporting period that were dedicated to the charitable purpose may be obtained from the Attorney General of the State of New Jersey by calling 973-504-6215 and is also available on the internet at http://njconsumeraffairs.gov/.
Registration with the Attorney General does not imply endorsement.

New York
New York State Attorney General’s Charities Bureau 120 Broadway, 3rd Floor, New York, New York 10271.

Washington
Financial disclosure information is available upon request from the Secretary of State, Charities Bureau, by calling 800-332-4483.

Yes, every gift makes a difference! Each gift, no matter the size, combines to further students’ experiences on campus by providing funding for educational and co-curricular pursuits and allowing access to student scholarships.

Additionally, PLU is rated by organizations such as U.S. News & World Report each year, and the number of alumni donors factors into the overall ranking of PLU. When major philanthropic organizations are considering PLU for a grant, the alumni giving percentage is valued highly in the selection process as it indicates the level of satisfaction among our alumni and whether PLU is a sound investment.

To learn more about how your gift makes a difference, visit our PLU News Homepage to see examples of the types of student experiences and university accomplishments your support helps make possible.

PLU runs on a fiscal year from June 1 to May 31, which parallels our academic calendar. Giving and participation data are calculated and recorded based on those dates. All gifts given to the PLU Fund will be used to support the students within the fiscal year they were donated. PLU’s fiscal year has no effect on the tax year (calendar year, January 1 to December 31) or how tax deductions are calculated.

Yes! You may give without being publicly recognized for your gift if you wish. Giving anonymously means you will not be listed in print or online lists recognizing donors. You will still receive a receipt and acknowledgment from the university and our gratitude for your generosity.

If you are giving online, there is a check box where you can remain anonymous for your gift. If you are giving by mail, there is a section on our donate-by-mail form titled “Gift Information” and a subsection called “Optional Gift Instructions” with a check box for anonymous giving.

The Electronic Funds Transfer program makes giving to PLU even easier. With your consent, PLU establishes a relationship with your bank. Around the 12th of each month (depending on weekends or holidays) your gift will be electronically deducted from your checking account and transferred to PLU. A record of your contribution will be on your bank statement each month and a receipt can be mailed or emailed to you. Using our EFT program saves you personal time and money by eliminating the need to write and mail checks each month.

GiveCampus is the platform that allows PLU to offer a secure way to make a gift to the university online. Our partnership complies with The Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard (PCI compliant), and PLU receives 100% of your gift.

If any of your personal information has changed, you can simply fill out this update my info form and we’ll make sure your information is up to date.

Personal records and information of PLU constituents are entirely confidential and used only for communication from the university. This information is never sold or rented. Any information provided to third parties is done solely for PLU purposes and not for any other use.

If you’d like to opt in to receive emails, phone calls, or texts from PLU, simply email our team at advancement@plu.edu saying you’d like to opt in and provide your email or phone number. By providing your phone number in a texting opt-in, you agree to receive text messages from PLU. Message and data rates may apply, and message frequency can vary.

The PLU Fund provides vital support for students during the academic school year (June 1 – May 31) in which it is received. Gifts to the PLU Fund are unrestricted, giving the university the flexibility to use them to support areas that need it most.

Contributions to the PLU Fund are essential in helping the university address top priorities such as student scholarships, leadership development programs and faculty recruitment.

Alumni, parents, friends, PLU faculty and staff, corporations, foundations and congregations all contribute to the PLU Fund and aid in the success of PLU students.

There is no minimum contribution to the PLU Fund. Supporting student scholarships is a collective effort, and your gift of any amount is meaningful. You can make a difference for current and future Lutes!

Lute Club is PLU’s annual athletics fund. Gifts to Lute Club meets current needs within PLU athletics by providing opportunities and resources for student-athletes to compete at a high level.

Contributions to Lute Club support various aspects of the athletics program, from uniforms to equipment to travel costs for PLU teams.

There is no minimum contribution to Lute Club. Our athletes know the value of having team support, and our gift of any amount to cheer them on is meaningful. You can make a difference for current and future Lute athletes!

Yes! Gifts can be designated to general athletic support, specific teams or specific endowed funds. Options are available on our online giving form.

A Charitable Gift Annuity provides a guaranteed stream of income for the lifetime of one or two individuals. The amount of income is based on the age(s) of the annuity income recipient(s) at the time the charitable gift annuity is established. Visit the Charitable Gift Annuity page to learn more, or contact PLU’s Gift Planning Team for a confidential illustration of how a charitable gift annuity could work for you.

No. While the university serves as trustee for many charitable remainder trusts, an individual, a bank, a trust company, or other financial institution can serve as trustee of a charitable trust.

Yes—and by doing so, you not only provide a gift to PLU but also save potential taxes for your heirs! Most IRA custodians can provide a form allowing you to name PLU as full or a partial beneficiary of your IRA. Visit PLU’s Estate and Gift Planning Page for more information. If you have questions or require assistance, please contact our Gift Planning Team.