How to Give

You can support Brown in a variety of ways—from annual gifts that fund scholarships and help the University meet immediate needs, to planned gifts that establish a legacy and give you significant tax benefits.

Brunonians understand the power of giving back.

That's why so many alumni, parents, friends, and even students choose to give back to Brown. No matter the size, every gift to Brown has the potential to make a lasting impact.

From making an online gift to setting up a bequest, there are a variety of ways you can give back to Brown. Find the giving method that best suits you.

Year-End Giving to Brown

Want to ensure your gift will be processed before the end of the IRS tax year? Here are some deadlines for making your 2025 gift to Brown.

Credit Cards & Digital Wallet

includes Venmo, ApplePay, PayPal

online (preferred): before 11:59 p.m. ET on December 31
phone: before 5 p.m. ET on December 31

Checks

USPS: postmarked on or before December 31
DHL, FedEx, UPS: proof of mailing by December 31 is required
all other couriers: must be received by December 31
checks must also be dated on or before December 31

Wires, ACH, Securities, & Mutual Funds

Initiate your gift with sufficient lead time to ensure transfer is complete and Brown receives funds by December 31. Refer to your financial institution for additional guidelines

Donor-Advised Funds

Dependent on payment method (refer to above guidelines). Many institutions require several weeks to process recommended payments, and Brown cannot guarantee the timely arrival of funds. Consult with your donor-advised fund for specific guidelines. Plan accordingly to ensure your gift is received by December 31

Qualified Charitable Distributions (IRA “Rollovers”)

Must be completed and documented by December 31. Funds must be requested through your IRA administrator, which may take several weeks to process and arrive.

Charitable Gift Annuities and Charitable Trusts

Must be completed and documented by December 31. Must comply with specific legal requirements. Establishing and funding can take several weeks if not months, so plan accordingly. Funds must be signed by December 12 with contracts signed by December 17. Requests received after those dates will be presumed to be for 2026.

For general questions about giving to Brown, contact us at:

✉  gift_accounting@brown.edu 
☏ +1 (401) 863-3633 or +1 (800) 662-2266

The material presented on this website is not offered as legal or tax advice. Please consult your tax advisor, financial planner, or attorney about the legal and tax benefits of any gift to Brown University.