Questions and Answers
Below you will find answers to many common questions about #CougsGive `21.
What is #CougsGive?
#CougsGive is a one-day fundraising event dedicated to expanding, sharing, and celebrating the impact of donor support at Washington State University. Generous donors are the foundation of student success, and on April 14, 2021, the Cougar family will come together and give to the scholarships, programs, and experiences that set WSU apart.
Why should I give to Washington State University?
Your support empowers Washington State University to serve its land-grant mission to the state and provide life-changing education for all students. Philanthropy at WSU by provides the margin of excellence that allows the University to provide a world-class education, enhance programs, improve access to education, and retain top faculty. In support of the Drive to 25 initiative, WSU is focused on accelerating the development of a preeminent research portfolio and offering a transformative experience for our undergraduate and graduate students.
What are Cougar Ambassadors?
A Cougar Ambassador is anyone with passion for Washington State University and the Cougar family. The strength of #CougsGive is social media and Cougar Ambassadors. After you sign up as an Ambassador online, you can send emails or post on social media with unique links to WSU's #CougsGive pages to help share the message of philanthropy at WSU. We encourage our Cougar Ambassadors to change their profile and cover photos and share the message of giving with their friends and colleagues in the days leading up to #CougsGive.
Which forms of payment are accepted?
During #CougsGive, we can accept payment from VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover credit/debit cards.
Can I donate using gifts of stock, my IRA, or a donor advised fund?
If you wish to donate using gifts of stock, an IRA, or a donor advised fund (DAF), please call 509-335-6686 for assistance.
Is my gift tax deductible?
Yes, gifts are tax deductible to the extent allowable by law. You must claim the gift as an itemized deduction on your tax return.
The WSU Foundation is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization that is structurally separate from Washington State University and exists solely for WSU’s benefit, serving as the preferred channel for private gifts to all areas of the University.
The WSU Foundation’s taxpayer identification number is 91-1075542.
Where will my gift go?
The WSU Foundation directs all gifts exactly as the donor specifies. Expenditures of these gift funds are made by WSU administrators, faculty, and staff, according to strict guidelines for the use of the money as specified by the donor. Donors often allow the University to direct their gifts where they’re needed most. These are called unrestricted gifts. WSU typically uses unrestricted funds to help provide scholarships, recruit outstanding faculty, facilitate student and faculty research, help defray the costs of traveling to present research, and support important University initiatives for which other funding is not available.
How do matches and challenges work?
Matching gifts and challenges add an exciting element to #CougsGive. Generous donors have made special gifts to create competition, incentive, and inspiration for new gifts on #CougsGive.
A matching gift is a dollar-for-dollar match of your donation, up to a certain amount. When you make your gift, our matching donors will make an equal gift to your area of inspiration. Challenges add a fun element to #CougsGive. Donors have set aside specific amounts to "unlock" when certain thresholds are met, such as gift totals, social media activity, ambassador sharing, and more.
Are you interested in creating your own matching gift or challenge? Contact us at annual.giving@wsu.edu to learn more!
Who can I contact with other questions about #CougsGive?
Email: annual.giving@wsu.edu
Phone: 509-335-6686
Twitter: @WSU_Foundation
Still have questions?
Contact us at annual.giving@wsu.edu