Ways to Give
By giving to Grinnell, you sustain our commitment to fully preparing today’s Grinnellians-in-the-making — regardless of their ability to afford a premium college education. With your gift, you honor today’s students as they overturn assumptions and subvert the obvious. And you make it possible for tomorrow’s Grinnellians to keep inventing the world — as only Grinnellians can.
If you are interested in establishing a new fund to be administered by the College, we offer the following suite of investment levels and opportunities. These can be endowed funds or funds for immediate use. For more information, please contact Susan Kriegel, development assistant, at 866-850-1846 or kriegels@grinnell.edu.
We invite you to choose the method or combination of methods that can make your gift carry the most meaning.
Outright Gifts
Credit Card
This is the simplest way to contribute, and the preferred method for many of our alumni and friends. You can pay with your credit card online here. This method allows for you to make multiple designations within a single gift. Use our easy-to-use online gift process to make a gift.
You have options when making your credit card gift. You can make a one time gift today, create an installment plan, or create a sustaining gift. A sustaining gift is an open-ended gift. You decide the amount and the frequency, we take care of the rest.
Check
You can mail a check made out to Grinnell College. Please include a note telling us how to direct your gift and send to
Development and Alumni Relations
Old Glove Factory
733 Broad Street
Grinnell, IA 50112-1690
Gifts-in-kind
If you incur expenses while volunteering for Grinnell, you can coordinate with staff to make your expenses a gift. You may also be able to give other marketable personal property to Grinnell. When donated for educational purposes, tangible property such as art, books, technology, or even livestock are recognized at their fair market value. Contact the development office to plan your gift-in-kind.
Matching Gifts
Many employers sponsor matching programs for employees’ charitable gifts. They may even double or triple your gift. Ask your employer to see if your employer has a matching program. Please contact giving@grinnell.edu if you have a question about matching gifts.
Securities
Grinnell welcomes gifts of appreciated securities — such as stocks, bonds, or mutual funds that have grown in value — as pledge payments or outright gifts. If you would like to make a gift of stock to Grinnell College, review our Stock Transfer Instructions for specific information about the process. When you are prepared to request a stock transfer, please contact Susan Kriegel by email at kriegels@grinnell.edu or toll free at 1-866-850-1846 and share your name, the name of the stock, and your broker. This allows for an efficient and prompt stock transfer process and acknowledgement of your gift.
Real estate
You can contribute real estate either as an outright gift or as a gift through your estate. By donating appreciated real estate to Grinnell, you provide generous support to the College for years to come. Our development officers are always available to discuss any gifts of real estate you may be considering.
Faculty and Staff
Faculty and staff gifts, of all sizes, support Grinnell’s mission to provide students an individualized experience that prepares them to navigate the world’s complexities. As Grinnell College employees, your largest contributions to the College are through your talents, ties, and time you share in support of Grinnell’s mission. The College was founded by pioneers who invested in the College’s future. We acknowledge their investment through our own gifts to Grinnell. It’s through annual gifts the College is able to provide numerous tools and resources for students to have a purposeful and genuine Grinnell experience. To make a faculty or staff gift, please use our filliable faculty and staff giving form.
Planned Gifts
Making a planned gift is one way to “let the future bear witness” to your love for Grinnell, with potential benefits for you as the donor, your heirs, and the College. The Asa Turner Society honors those who have made this choice to help Grinnell sustain the excellence that began in 1846. You can learn more about these planned gift options and other options at our detailed planned giving site.
Bequests
A gift in your will or living trust is a simple, flexible, and versatile way to sustain Grinnell’s mission for years to come. You can name Grinnell as a percentage beneficiary, for a specific dollar amount, or as a residual recipient.
Retirement Plan or Life Insurance Policy Designations
You may name Grinnell as a beneficiary on retirement plans and life insurance policies. Simply fill out a form that is entirely separate from your will. This easy way to give is also flexible — you can review and adjust beneficiary designations at any time.
Charitable Remainder Trusts
If you have built up a sizeable estate and want to receive reliable payments while supporting the College, consider arranging a charitable remainder trust. A wide variety of trusts exists to suit your needs.
Charitable Gift Annuities
This method allows you to transfer assets to the College in exchange for lifetime income. You can begin receiving payments immediately or at a future time you select. Different states have different laws governing charitable annuities. Please contact our development office to learn the specific details of your situation and together we can plan your gift accordingly.