Donation Options
Make a gift online today!
Find out more about Giving Priorities.
Give by Mail
If you want to donate by mail, you can send a check to the Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations at the following address:
Washington Adventist University
Office of Advancement and Alumni Relations
7600 Flower Avenue
Takoma Park, MD 20912
Please make the check payable to “Washington Adventist University” and specify where you want your donation to go in the memo section. You can direct it towards Student Scholarships, the Department of Biology, the Women’s Softball Team, or Student Missions. If you don’t specify, your gift will be assigned to the Annual Fund and used for the university’s greatest need.
Give by Phone
To make a contribution over the phone, you can contact Jennifer Madera, the Administrative Assistant of Advancement, at (301)576-0105.
Planned Giving
Help make a difference in the lives of others, benefit yourself and your family, and support Washington Adventist University by considering a planned gift. Our goal is to fulfill our mission for many years and generations to come, and you can help us achieve this by discovering the best-planned gift that meets your goals.
- Donating stock is a simple way to provide support, and can also provide you with substantial tax benefits.
- A bequest, which is a gift made through your will or trust, is a popular and flexible option to help our mission. You can also make a gift of life insurance, which is an easy way to contribute.
- Real estate, such as a home, vacation property, undeveloped land, or commercial property, donating it can make a great gift to WAU.
For more information about planned giving or to make a planned gift, please contact Karla Rivera Curtis, Director of Alumni Relations, at (301)891-4133 or knrivera@wau.edu.
Donate a New or Used Vehicle
Through a partnership with Melwood National Car Donation Center, you can donate vehicles to Washington Adventist University. Vehicle donations made to Washington Adventist University are tax deductible.
We accept any vehicle, regardless of age or condition, and you can donate from anywhere in the U.S. They will pick up your vehicle free of charge!
Just complete our easy online donation form. If you would prefer to speak to a Melwood representative by phone, please have your title in hand and call 1-855-527-2232. One of their friendly operators will assist you.
To learn more about making a vehicle donation, consult the “Donors Guide to Vehicle Donations” found in IRS Publication 4303.
Frequently Asked Questions
We understand that you may have questions about making donations to Washington Adventist University. Below are answers to some of our frequently asked questions to help you give confidently.
Are gifts tax deductible?
Yes, all gift donations to Washington Adventist University are tax deductible. For more information about tax-deductible gifts please visit irs.gov.
Will I receive a receipt?
Yes, the Office of Advancement will send you a tax receipt. Receipts are usually mailed within one week of our office receiving a gift. Please, feel free to contact our office with questions or concerns regarding your receipt.
Can I make a confidential gift?
Yes. We are happy to respect your wishes. Please identify your donation or let our office know if you wish to remain anonymous.
Who can I call if I need help making a gift?
Any of our office staff can help you make a gift. Please feel free to call the office at (301)891-4133.
What is the Annual Fund?
The Annual Fund is one of the best ways for Alumni and friends to support Washington Adventist University. Donations made to the annual fund directly support our student learning experience by funding annual expenses such as scholarships, faculty development, and technology and resources. These gifts are helping us as we grow with excellence to reach Vision 2020.
Why are unrestricted gifts important?
Unrestricted gifts provide the university with the maximum flexibility to enhance our student experiences. These funds provide the university with the ability to address needs that tuition revenue doesn’t cover. These funds also allow the university to strategically plan for improvements for the campus-based on each year’s needs.
Where does WAU need the most support?
The number one giving priority is student scholarships. More than 90% of WAU students receive some financial aid. For most students, this isn’t enough to cover the entire cost of tuition. There are several named endowments which provide scholarships to specific types of students or there is a general Alumni Scholarship fund for all students in need. You can create a named scholarship or endowment fund in honor of yourself or someone else. Please contact our office for more information about creating a named scholarship or endowment
Can I specify how my gift will be used?
You may specify any project or department that you would like. Funds given to departments and offices are used at the discretion of the departments. Any gifts given to a specific project, such as the Health Professions Building or student scholarships will be used only for those projects.
Can I donate to a specific student?
No. IRS regulations prevent donors from giving directly to a specific individual. Gifts can be given to projects, departments, and organizations for the benefit of the entire project, department or organization, and campus, but not a specific individual.
What is the fiscal year?
The fiscal year begins July 1st and goes through June 30th. Giving societies and the annual report use fiscal year donations and not calendar year.
Can a company make a gift to WAU?
Companies and organizations can make tax-deductible gifts to the university. WAU also accepts any match funds from organizations that match employee contributions in full or in part.