Ways to Give

Norwich University grants individuals “soft credit” for the purposes of donor recognition, in the following instances:

1. Individuals receive “soft credit” for gifts made by a personal or family foundation. The personal or family foundation is the accountable donor and receives the documentation for tax deductibility. 
2. Individuals receive “soft credit” for gifts when they are married and legally partnered. Spouses receive soft credit for each other’s gifts. 
3. Individuals receive “soft credit” for gifts or grants from corporations if, without the intersession of the individual(s), such a gift would not be leveraged for Norwich.
4. Individuals receive “soft credit” for gifts made to Norwich University from their Donor Advised Fund. The Donor Advised Fund is receipted as the “hard credit” legal donor.
5. Individuals receive soft credit for “gifts-in-kind”, defined as any non-cash donations of materials or long-lived assets, other than real or personal, property. Gifts-in-kind include such items as artwork, hardware, equipment, printed materials, food, or other items used for hosting dinners.  Soft credited, gifts-in-kind count towards Partridge Society membership. 
6. For all other instances of individuals seeking “soft credit” for a gift(s) where they have not made a philanthropic gift, and are therefore, not the accountable “hard credit” donor, the Norwich University President and the Vice President of Development and Alumni Relations reserve the right to make individual decisions based on the circumstances of the parties involved and their philanthropic intent.  In such cases, fundraising staff shall make no promises to any donor(s) of “soft credit” without the approval of the President and VP DAR. 
    

1. Norwich University receives matching gifts from corporations, businesses, or other organizations, of cash or securities. The matching gifts are “hard” credited as a gift from the entity from where the gift was received. 
2. Norwich University grants “soft credit” to the individual donors whose gift is matched for the purpose of donor recognition. We do not count the gift twice for the purpose of actual gifts raised.
3. Matching gifts will follow the designation of the gift of the individual for whom the gift is being matched unless directed otherwise by the matching gift organization.
4. Campaign pledges made by individuals are considered a personal obligation and should not include the anticipated matching gift amount.
5. Distributions from Donor Advised Funds do not qualify for corporate matching, as the individual did not control the funds at the time the distribution was granted. 
    

The following guidelines are to be used by the Board of Trustees (Trustee Development Committee) to evaluate prospective gifts at Norwich University. In its discretion, the Board may depart from one or more of these policies based on the circumstances of a particular gift, and the Board retains its right to refuse any gift.

1. Gifts will not be accepted where there is no charitable intent on the part of the donor. 
2. Gifts should support and enhance the mission and purpose of Norwich. Gifts which subject the University to burdensome or unusual restrictions will not be accepted.
3. Unless otherwise negotiated, gifts of property will be converted into cash at the earliest opportunity keeping in mind current market conditions and the use of the property in the accomplishment of the mission of Norwich University.
4. Norwich University will not, in most cases, assume any indebtedness in connection with a gift. Exceptions to the contrary must be approved by the Board of Trustees.
5. Gifts may not be accepted where Norwich University would be exposed to material or personal liabilities as owners of the property.
6. Gifts will not be accepted under circumstances where, in the opinion of its tax advisers, Norwich would become subject to the tax on unrelated business income or unrelated debt-financed income.
7. Donors of property gifts of over $5,000 (except for gifts of publicly traded stock) must obtain an appraisal by an independent, third party, licensed, appraiser in accordance with current tax law requirements. The donor of said property will bear the cost of an appraisal.
8. All gifts of life insurance must comply with applicable Norwich University Criteria for Gifts of Insurance. 
9. Norwich University will assume that donors rely on their own personal advisers for tax, legal, financial, and other advice concerning their gifts. A “Memo of Understanding” (MOU) from a donor for a gift of property, along with proof of outside advice from counsel is required, before such a gift will be accepted.