All Penn State supporters share one important reward for their gifts: the personal satisfaction of making an investment in human potential. Many of the University's finest accomplishments have been made possible by men and women who have chosen to benefit future generations of Penn Staters. There are many ways to give to Penn State Berks, and our Office of Development looks forward to working with you to help provide a better future for the University.

How to Make Your Gift Count:

There are several ways to support Penn State Berks. Some methods are very straightforward and others involve more long-term planning and permanency.

Unrestricted Giving

Unrestricted gifts to Penn State Berks are the most flexible kinds of contributions and allow the University to direct its resources to the areas of greatest need. Gifts are typically used towards supporting the University's annual operating costs including faculty salaries, tuition expenses, and general campus maintenance.

Restricted Giving

By designating their gifts towards specific campus projects, donors are able to match their giving to their areas of interest. For example, a donor may wish to direct their gift to research in the biology department while someone else is interested in providing scholarship support for students in need.

Ways to Give:

Gifts of Cash

Gifts of cash are the most straightforward method for giving and are typically in the form of checks, credit cards, or electronic transfers. Donors generally qualify for a tax deduction on their year-end taxes.

Stocks and Securities

Securities that have grown in value while a donor has owned them can often result in special tax savings. In most cases, a donor may avoid capital gains taxes by donating them to Penn State Berks. For more information on donating gifts of stock, securities, or other investments, please contact Melissa Edwards, director of development and alumni relations, at [email protected] or 610-396-6006.

Corporate Matching Gifts

Corporate matching gifts are a great way for Penn State alumni, parents, and friends to maximize personal contributions to the University and increase the impact of their gift. By taking advantage of a company's matching gift benefit, you may be able to double or even triple the amount of a contribution.

Many corporations and businesses in our local area have a matching gift program. The following are some of the local corporations offering a matching gift program:

  • Agere
  • Air Products Corporation
  • EnerSys
  • FirstEnergy Corporation
  • Hershey Foods Corporation
  • PPL Corporation
  • Santander Bank
  • UGI Corporation
  • Verizon
  • Wells Fargo 

Each company has its own guidelines for employees, spouses, retirees, and widows/widowers. Most corporate procedures are very simple:

  1. Request a Matching Form from your company.
  2. Complete and submit the form to Penn State along with your gift.
  3. Penn State will verify the completed form and return it to the company.
  4. The company issues a matching gift contribution to Penn State.

Please send completed forms along with your personal gift to:

Penn State Berks
Office of University Development
Tulpehocken Road, P. O. Box 7009
Reading, PA 19610

Find out if your company has a matching gift program >

Planned Gifts

Planned giving is often a cornerstone in a University's long-term fundraising priorities. These Planned Planned giving is a cornerstone in a University's long-term fundraising priorities. These gifts are usually deferred, meaning they are arranged now and fulfilled later. Planned gifts frequently benefit a donor and their family by providing additional income and offering immediate tax advantages. Examples of planned gifts include donations made through a donor's will or retirement plan, charitable gift annuities, and charitable remainder trusts. For more information on the many planned giving options, please contact Melissa Edwards, director of development and alumni relations, at [email protected] or 610-396-6006.