Create Your Legacy

The promise of discovery

Opportunities to learn by doing, through research experience, field-based work, and course-related travel.

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The promise of achievements

The contributions of our alumni in every walk of life continue to grow in vast disproportion to their numbers.

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The promise of generations

Alumni, parents, and friends have made Amherst one of the most exceptional colleges in the country.

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Gift Planning

Some of the most common ways to make a gift to Amherst College are to write a check, make a gift using a credit card, or donate online.

A gift of cash could be right for you if:

  • You want the easiest way to donate to Amherst. 
  • You want the largest possible income tax charitable deduction for your gift.
  • You would like to make the gift to Amherst that has the greatest immediate impact.

How it works

You make a gift of cash directly to Amherst and you receive an immediate income tax charitable deduction. Information on how to make a cash gift to Amherst can be found on the annual fund website, or you can make your gift online.

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What is an outright gift of cash?
An outright gift of cash is when you transfer funds to Amherst College and get nothing of financial value in return. The most common way for donors to make an outright gift is to write a check payable to Amherst College.

Gift provides immediate support
Unlike some other gift arrangements, your outright gift will provide resources that Amherst can put to immediate use. If you prefer to restrict our use of your gift in any way, please contact us so that we can be sure that we can carry out your wishes.   

Maximum tax savings
You may deduct the full amount of your donation up to 60% of your adjusted gross income, providing tax savings if you itemize. You may carry forward all of your unused deduction for up to five additional years.

Ways to give cash
Most donors make an outright gift by writing a check payable to Amherst College and mailing it to us. You may also make a cash gift using your credit card.

Example

Laci Cardona would like to make an immediate $15,000 gift to Amherst College. Laci could write a check for this amount and earn a charitable deduction equal to $15,000. Alternatively, Laci could make a gift using her credit card by donating online through our website. Gifts of checks and gifts made via credit cards are considered cash gifts. Information on how to make a cash gift to Amherst can be found on the annual fund website.

Benefits

  • Laci may deduct up to 60% of her adjusted gross income for her gift of cash, providing tax savings if she itemizes.
  • If Laci itemizes deductions but cannot use the entire deduction in the year of gift, she may carry the balance forward for up to five additional years. 
  • Assuming Laci itemizes deductions and can use her entire income tax charitable deduction of $15,000, she will save her $5,550 (37% tax).
  • Laci will gain the satisfaction of making a $15,000 gift to Amherst.