How to Give

The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools

How to Give

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Alumni, parents, and friends of Lab can make gifts to the Laboratory Schools in a number of ways. Outright gifts can be made using cash (by check or credit card) or appreciated assets, such as securities or real estate. In addition to outright gifts, planned and deferred gifts can enable you to support the Schools and achieve your personal financial goals. Donors are also encouraged to check with their human resources departments to see if their employer has a matching gift program.

Online Giving
Secure online giving is quickly available through the University of Chicago's website.

Cash, Check, or Credit Card
Gifts by check may be mailed to:
The University of Chicago Laboratory Schools
Office of Development and Alumni Relations
1362 East 59th Street
Chicago, IL 60637

Checks should be made payable to the University of Chicago Laboratory Schools. If you wish your gift to be credited to a specific fund or used for a specific purpose, please indicate this on the memo line or in an accompanying note.

Credit card gifts may be made by calling the Development Office at 773-702-0578.

Gifts of Securities
Gifts of securities, including mutual funds, qualify for current tax-year charitable deductions based on the fair market value of the asset on the day the gift is made. With public securities, you pay no capital gains tax on any appreciation since the securities were purchased.

To transfer securities to the University electronically, i.e., via Depository Trust Company (DTC), provide the DTC transfer instructions below to your broker. The securities will then be transferred directly into the University's gift account at its custodian bank. In order to properly credit the gift, it is important that you notify the Laboratory Schools of the gift and its intended purpose (unrestricted, scholarships, capital project, etc.) by calling our office at 773-702-0578 or by sending an e-mail. It is imperative that your broker identifies you as the donor in the DTC transfer instructions so you can receive proper gift and tax credit.

The DTC Transfer Instructions are as follows:
Northern Trust/Chicago
DTC #2669
Agent Bank #20290

For further credit to The University of Chicago for the Use of the Laboratory Schools
Account #26-80803
Gift from your name

Gifts of Real Estate or Other Appreciated Property
Gifts of long-term appreciated property can be especially beneficial both to you and the Laboratory Schools. Examples include real estate (both residential and commercial), works of art, rare books, and antiques. In most cases, you are entitled to a charitable deduction based on the property's fair market value, and you pay no capital gains tax on the appreciation if and when the property is sold by the University for the benefit of the Laboratory Schools. The value of your gift will likely be considerably greater than its cost to you. Normally, the charitable deduction for gifts of appreciated property is limited to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income, but you may carry forward and use any excess deduction in up to five additional years. For more information about making gifts of appreciated property, please contact Heather McClean, U-High '93, Associate Director of Gift Planning, at 773-834-2117.

Life-income gifts allow you to give an asset and receive income during your lifetime or for a term of years. Some types of life-income gifts enable you to make a substantial gift while you retain, or even increase, income from the assets you give. Once you transfer assets to the University for the benefit of the Laboratory Schools, the University invests the proceeds and pays you, or your designated beneficiaries, an income for life or for a specified term of years.

Your personal charitable and financial objectives will determine the structure of your gift. You may choose gifts that provide the certainty of fixed payments or those that offer variable payments depending on market conditions.

The University's development staff works with the Laboratory Schools' development team to assist you in structuring a planned gift to suit your personal circumstances. Additional information about life-income gifts is also available on the University's Office of Gift Planning website. For more information about making a Planned Gift to the Laboratory Schools, please contact Heather McClean, U-High '93, Associate Director of Gift Planning, at 773-834-2117.