1. Where can I designate my contribution to the Faculty & Staff Giving Program?
Your contribution can be designated to scholarships, departments, and many others. When you designate your gift, you can support the area of your choice. Your entire gift directly benefits the area you choose. To see a list of accounts, go to the online gift form. Scroll down to "Gift Information", choose an account from the drop-downs or search by department, scholarship, or key word. Having trouble finding what you're looking for? Call Cathy Cart at 734-481-2320.

2. When can I make my gift to support the students and programs at EMU?
If you want to make a gift utilizing all of your paychecks through payroll deduction, the deadline is December 8, 2008. After that you can still make a gift through payroll deduction, but your gift will be divided by the number of pay periods left in the calendar year. Gifts can be made to the Faculty & Staff Giving Program year-round. Making a gift to EMU is easy. Besides payroll deduction, you can also fill out the gift form online, print it, and enclose it with a check through campus mail to: Judy Williams, EMU Foundation 1349 S. Huron, Ypsilanti, MI 48197. Or you can make a gift using your credit card on the Web site. If you would like to make a transfer of stock, talk about a planned gift, or establish an endowed scholarship, contact your college development director or Susan Rink at 734-481-2310.

3. Why are we receiving an e-solicitation instead of a brochure?
We have switched to an e-solicitation format in an effort to be more cost-effective. The Foundation also has received feedback from our donors that they want a more user-friendly way to view accounts and designate their gifts. By utilizing our secure online gift form, all of these options are readily available. Last year’s initial e-solicitation was a tremendous success.

4. Are all faculty and staff required to make a gift to the Faculty & Staff Giving Program?
Contributing is not required. It has, however, become a University tradition because of the dedication and great participation of faculty and staff. Faculty and staff see the needs of the University first-hand and want to make an additional difference in the lives of our students and in programs we care about. On average, more than one-third of our current and emeritus faculty and staff support this program.

5. How do faculty and staff gifts help?
Each year, faculty and staff contribute to scholarships, programs and other special projects at EMU. These gifts make an immediate and long-term difference in the lives of our students and the quality of our programs. Corporations and foundations often look at the contribution level of our faculty and staff when considering a major gift to EMU.

6. How much of each gift is deducted for development expenses?
None! 100 percent of each and every faculty and staff gift goes to the account you designate.

7. What gifts count toward Faculty & Staff Giving totals?
All gifts made by an EMU employee or emeritus faculty and staff count toward the totals. These generous gifts are made year-round and truly make a difference at EMU. Many faculty and staff support expendable and/or endowed scholarships for students, as well as their own programs.

8. What is the Partnership for Excellence Fund?
The Partnership for Excellence Fund is an account that allows faculty and staff to give to the area of greatest need. The greatest need for the 2008-09 Partnership for Excellence Fund is scholarships and program enhancement.

9. What is the EMU Excellence Fund?
The EMU Excellence Fund is an account established by President Susan Martin to address unmet needs of the University community. The EMU Excellence Fund will advance academic initiatives and enhance student priorities.

10. What is the purpose of the Foundation?
The EMU Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation whose mission is to solicit private funds on behalf of and for the exclusive benefit of EMU, and to expand its resource base through the management of assets and the investment and disbursement of funds.

11. Who do I contact for more information about the Faculty & Staff Giving Program?
Please contact Susan Rink, senior director of development at 734-481-2310 or via e-mail at susan.rink@emich.edu.