1. What is Annual Giving?
2. Why do bursaries matter?
3. How much does Annual Giving need?
4. Why can't the University's endowment funds cover student bursaries?
5. Doesn't the Singapore government already fund NUS?
6. Why should I participate in Annual Giving?
7. What are the tax implications of my gift?
8. I already support other causes. Why should I still support Annual Giving?
9. I have just graduated/am between jobs/am not earning much. How am I supposed to give?
10. How much should I contribute to Annual Giving?
11. How can I make my gift?
12. When must I make my gift to be included in Annual Giving 08?
13. What recognition is offered to Annual Giving Guild members?
14. What happens when you meet your bursary target?
1. What is Annual Giving?
It is the NUS Development Office’s yearly appeal to seek the support of all alumni, staff, faculty and friends for student bursaries. Annual Giving was inaugurated in 2005, the year that the University first resolved to give a bursary to every qualified student in financial need.
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2. Why do bursaries matter?
NUS offers bursaries to attract the best students, regardless of their financial background. This ensures that our community is built around the brightest minds – as it should be – to help maintain our “critical margin of difference.” The stellar success of our former bursary students such as Singapore’s President and NUS Chancellor S R Nathan, as well as Surbana Corporation Chairman Ngiam Tong Dow, is proof positive of the value of this investment.
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3. How much does Annual Giving need?
Every year, on the average, there are over 1,500 NUS students who apply for bursaries. Each bursary is worth $1,500. This means that our students need approximately $2.25 million in bursary aid, renewed annually.
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4. Why can't the University's endowment funds cover student bursaries?
Only a percentage of endowment income can be directed toward our annual budget, in order to ensure sound fiscal management and preservation of the endowment funds. The funds that can be spent on our programmes are almost always designated for a particular use. Unlike our relatively restricted endowment funds, Annual Giving funds can let us offer bursaries immediately, just when our students need them.
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5. Doesn't the Singapore government already fund NUS?
The government does support NUS, but private gifts let our national university reach beyond the limits of government funding. Without your help, the education we give our students will certainly be good. With your help, it will become great.
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6. Why should I participate in Annual Giving?
Your participation not only helps provide an outstanding education to as many deserving students as possible: it is vital to the success of the Annual Giving initiative as a whole. When you take part, no matter how much you give, you inspire others to follow your example. This helps unlock more financial aid for our students, because one gift leads to another, and again because every gift is matched dollar for dollar by the Singapore government. Because the impact of your gift is multiplied in this way, every dollar counts.
In addition, alumni involvement in the activities of their alma mater is a significant factor in the international ranking of universities. Your participation can make a difference in NUS’ standing on the international stage – and enhance the value of both your degree and those of the students you support.
Finally, your gift attracts a double tax deduction.
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7. What are the tax implications of my gift?
When you give this year, you will receive a double tax deduction on next year’s assessment. This means that if you make a gift in 2007, IRAS will deduct an amount equivalent to twice the value of your gift from your assessable income for Year of Assessment 2008. Donors are also allowed to carry forward unutilised tax deductions for up to five years.
As an individual donor, you can provide NUS with your name and NRIC/FIN when making your gift. The university will then forward the details to IRAS for auto-inclusion in your annual income tax filing. Corporate donors will have to make their claims in their filings of corporate tax, with the tax-deductible receipt issued by NUS.
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8. I already support other causes. Why should I still support Annual Giving?
We understand that alumni and staff feel pulled in numerous directions when deciding among the good causes that they can support. We ask you to see your gift to NUS as special, because you have a unique connection with the University. An investment in our bursary students is not only an investment in opening doors for them – but in our collective future as well.
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9. I have just graduated/am between jobs/am not earning much. How am I supposed to give?
Every dollar counts and your participation is as important to us as your gift. There are several ways you can support Annual Giving. You don’t have to make a one-time, lump sum payment. You can pledge a small monthly sum to support student bursaries if that is more convenient for you. We are not expecting you to make a gift beyond your means, but we certainly welcome your participation. All we ask is that you take part.
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10. How much should I contribute to Annual Giving?
Give as much as you feel comfortable giving. A gift of any size is a show of support, and your participation is as important to us as the amount you give. Recent graduates sometimes start with small gifts, while more established alumni are often glad to take a leadership role by giving a large sum that will provide for several students and encourage other donors to follow their generous example in years to come. In the end, it’s up to you.
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11. How can I make my gift?
To give online by credit card, simply click Make Your Gift Now.
To give by cheque, please print and complete our Annual Giving Gift/Pledge Form and mail to:
Annual Giving
National University of Singapore – Development Office
University Hall
Lee Kong Chian Wing
UHL–03–01
21 Lower Kent Ridge Road
Singapore 119077
To make further enquiries, please e-mail annualgiving@nus.edu.sg or call 1-800-ALUMNUS (1-800-258-6687).
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12. When must I make my gift to be included in Annual Giving 08?
Annual Giving 08 will end on 31 March 2009. Gifts received after this date will be counted toward Annual Giving 09.
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13. What recognition is offered to Annual Giving Guild members?
Guild members will be given special recognition on the Annual Giving website. They will also be extended invitations to special events, e.g. Donor Appreciation Tea, and will receive exclusive publications such as the University’s Annual Giving Report.
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14. What happens when you meet your bursary target?
Our long-term target is to raise at least $40 to $50 million to establish a self-perpetuating bursary endowment fund. It will take some time, but we are confident we can do it with the support of our alumni, faculty, staff and friends. When we reach our endowment goal, we will expand the purpose of Annual Giving to cover other pressing student needs.
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