Foundation

Ways to Give

Why Give to Eastern Michigan University?

A gift to Eastern Michigan University isn't just a donation; it is an investment in our students and the University's future. The University provides a world-class education without having to mortgage one's future and is dedicated to excellence in education through both traditional and innovative approaches, the extension of knowledge through basic and applied research and creative and artistic expression.

The University currently serves over 20,000 students who are pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral, or certificate degrees. More than 200 majors, minors, and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges: Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Health and Human Services; Technology; and its graduate school.

Your gift helps continue the legacy that Eastern Michigan aims to provide, and also fulfills the promise of a brighter future and endless opportunities for our students.

How to Give to Eastern Michigan University

​​​​​​​​​​Donations by Check or Credit Card

Gifts by check or credit card are the easiest and most common gifts to make. They also may be tax-deductible for the year in which the gift is made. Additionally, EMU gratefully accepts pledged gifts, which allows donors to make a pledge commitment and set up a payment schedule that best fits their wishes. 

To make a gift by credit card, you can give online by filling out this brief form.

Pledges and cash gifts made by check (payable to Eastern Michigan University) should be mailed with a letter designating your gift to:

• Annual Giving Expand dropdown

  Annual giving is the ongoing support provided by thousands of EMU alumni, parents, friends, faculty, staff, and students every year.

  Ways to contribute

  • EMU Fund: The EMU Fund – formerly the Partnership for Excellence – serves the areas of greatest need across the University and Foundation. Your unrestricted gifts to this fund make an immediate impact in these areas of opportunity.
  • Specific Funds: Donors often choose to support specific areas of the University. You always have the option of designating your support to the areas and programs most meaningful to you. Search the complete list of funds on our “Make a Gift” page. 

  How to contribute

  Gifts by check or credit card are the easiest and most common gifts to make. They also may be tax-deductible for the year in which the gift is made. Additionally, EMU gratefully accepts pledged gifts, which allows donors to make a pledge commitment and set up a payment schedule that best fits their wishes. 

  To make a gift by credit card, you can give online by filling out this brief form.

  Pledges and cash gifts made by check (payable to Eastern Michigan University) should be mailed with a letter designating your gift to your fund of choice.

  Strength in numbers: every gift matters

  The number of people who support us each year is just as significant as the number of dollars raised. Every gift – and every donor - is important.

  Why it counts:

  • Stay connected: We want you to stay involved with EMU! Your gifts to EMU are just a part of what makes you an active alumni. Have you activated your free alumni association membership? Visit www.emich.edu/alumni to get started.
  • Boost our rankings: Institutions like U.S. News & World Report track the percentage of alumni who give back to their alma mater as a part of the calculation for rankings. These rankings, in turn, have an effect on enrollment and add prestige to our alumni. Help us boost our participation level and stay ranked as one of the “Best in the Midwest!”
  • Send a message: Participation rates matter to most foundations and major donors. Strong support from alumni, family, faculty, staff, and students show these entities that EMU is worthy of future investments.

  The more people who support EMU through a gift of any size, the more EMU can do for our students and our community.

  For more information on Annual Giving and giving options, contact Kelly Quilter at [email protected] or Celia Murkowski at [email protected].

• Planned Giving Expand dropdown

  Create a lasting legacy with your gift! Let us help you tailor your charitable gift to your financial, tax, or estate planning objectives. Learn more about planned giving by visiting our Planned Giving Website.

  For more information on Planned Giving options, contact Rae Anne Yuskowatz at [email protected].

• Corporate Giving Expand dropdown

  We know the value of strong relationships with corporations, and we strive to help build a stronger region and state through those partnerships with the various colleges and programs at Eastern Michigan University.

  Our role is to create new, mutually beneficial relationships with our corporate partners, matching their objectives with the University's priorities.

  There are countless ways to engage with Eastern's resources, including:

  • Student and alumni talent
  • Strategic giving opportunities
  • Faculty expertise
  • New technologies and high-tech facilities
  • Continuing education
  • Entrepreneur support
  • Building your brand on campus 

  We can assist you in creating a customized philanthropic program that aligns directly with your business objectives and boosts your company's visibility on Eastern's campus. For more information on how your company can benefit from a strategic giving program, please contact Lisa Comben, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, at [email protected] or at 734.487.5546.

• Matching Gifts Expand dropdown

  Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match any charitable contributions or volunteer hours made by their employees. If your company is eligible, request a matching gift form from your employer, and send it completed and signed with your gift. We will do the rest. The impact of your gift to Eastern Michigan University Foundation may be doubled or possibly tripled! Some companies match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses. To find out if your company has a matching gift policy, please enter your employer's name below:

• Faculty & Staff Expand dropdown

  Why give back to EMU?

  EMU is experiencing tremendous growth, both in the number of students we serve and the breadth of our offerings. Help us sustain this growth and provide the best educational experience for our students. EMU faculty and staff frequently make headlines for academic and professional accomplishments - however, you are also instrumental in a number of largely-unsung accomplishments, which impact our students every day.

  How does my gift help EMU students?

  Faculty and staff contributions to EMU Annual Giving impact a number of critical areas, including but not limited to:

  • Scholarship support: 81% of EMU undergraduates receive financial aid; 37% receive scholarships. Scholarships can be the deciding factor in continuing the pursuit of a degree.
  • Facility and technology improvements: EMU students are attractive employees because they’re taught and trained in the latest technologies for their chosen fields. Your contributions help us keep our classrooms and laboratories up-to-date.
  • Undergraduate Symposium: In addition to the 200 faculty members mentoring students and the countless staff involved in supporting this event, our annual showcase of EMU undergraduate research and creative projects is bolstered by your contributions.
  • Need-based initiatives: Some EMU students lack housing stability or a strong family support system. Initiatives like the MAGIC Scholarship Fund, benefitting students from the foster care system, or Swoop’s Student Food Pantry, which combats food insecurity, are critical to these students’ college experience.

  Your participation makes a difference.

  Whether you choose to support a specific area or contribute to the EMU Fund (serving the areas of greatest need), every gift, regardless of size, makes a positive impact in the lives of EMU students. We’re aiming for 100% participation in our faculty/staff giving campaign. We believe in YOU and your commitment to EMU students.

  Here's how you can give:

  Faculty and staff can make gifts using paper gift forms (distributed to all staff each fall during the annual campaign kick-off) or can give online at any time by visiting emich.edu/foundation/give.

  • Payroll deduction: EMU offers a convenient payroll deduction option for one-time and recurring gifts. When giving online, you'll be asked to make this designation on the "payment information" tab.

  Thank you for your belief in the mission and vision of EMU. For more information about Faculty and Staff giving, contact Celia Murkowski at 734.487.5634 or email [email protected].

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