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Giving Day

Giving Day is back at Sonoma State University. On Thursday, April 4, 2024, for a full 24-hours, our entire community will come together to transform the future of Sonoma State. When we all come together, one day of giving can make a difference for generations. Give to the causes at Sonoma State you care about most including student scholarships, enhancing research opportunities, student life initiatives, academic programs, athletics, and so much more. You can make a difference in a student's academic journey and help them achieve more. 

Learn more by visiting the Giving Day website.

Ways to Give

There are many ways to give in support of Sonoma State University. Your generosity brings our mission to life to offer an excellent and affordable education while encouraging students to reach their full potential. Through gifts large and small, we can touch the lives of current and future students, promote research, support programs, and help the greater community. 

Please feel free to visit the office or contact us via email at advancement@sonoma.edu or by phone at (707) 664-2712 with any questions.

Annual Gifts

Student in science class looking at specimen on glass

Annual gifts offer a great opportunity for alumni, parents and friends to ensure the continued success of Sonoma State University. Through annual gifts, you may choose to give to the Fund for Sonoma State or support one of the school’s strategic priorities, giving the deans flexibility to direct funds where they are needed most, or you may choose to designate your support for students, faculty, or academic programs.

Endowed Gifts

Students on stage talking to each other

Endowed funds offer a unique way to support the future of Sonoma State University. The principal amount of an endowed fund is never spent. It is invested and the earnings are used to fulfill the purpose(s) for which the fund was created. Funds may be created to support scholarships, faculty, or any other educational purpose of SSU.

Planned Gifts

Student playing instrument

Careful estate planning yields special advantages for donors and their heirs while enabling them to support the important work of Sonoma State University in a significant and lasting way. Sonoma State can help donors meet their philanthropic and financial goals while providing significant support to the University and its various programs. There are many ways contributors can ensure the future of the institution. Learn more about how you can make a planned gift to SSU.

How Can I Give?

Credit card gifts can be made in person or via phone with University Advancement or through our online give website.

Cash gifts must be delivered in person to the University Advancement Office in Salazar Hall 2043.

Checks should be made payable to Sonoma State University and can be submitted in person to the University Advancement Office or mailed to:

Sonoma State University  
University Advancement  
1801 E. Cotati Avenue  
Rohnert Park, CA 94928

Gifts of appreciated securities, stocks, and bonds can provide considerable tax advantages when transferred to Sonoma State University before they are sold. If you have held your securities for more than one year, you may find that your gift will provide a twofold tax benefit; creating an income tax deduction as well as helping avoid the capital gains tax that would have been due on their sale. To make a gift of stock, complete the Securities Transfer Form and ask your broker to transfer shares using the following information:

Morgan Stanley c/—SSU Foundation  
DTC: 0015 FBO  
ACCT#: 122-081113-400

Please let us know when you make a gift of stock so that we can direct it to the fund of your choice.

Many SSU alumni and friends express support and leave their legacy by including the University in their estate plans. Careful estate planning yields special advantages for donors and their heirs while enabling them to support the important work of Sonoma State University in a significant and lasting way. Sonoma State can help donors meet their philanthropic and financial goals while providing significant support to SSU and its various programs. There are many ways contributors can ensure the future of the institution. Learn more about how you can make a planned gift to Sonoma State University.

Gifts-in-kind are non-monetary items of tangible personal property or other physical assets that represent value to the University. Examples might include equipment, books, and artwork. Gifts in excess of $500 should be accompanied by a fair market estimation from the donor. Gifts that exceed $5,000 are subject to the IRS requirement of an independent appraisal.

Employees of Sonoma State University can support their favorite programs and/or departments by participating in the Payroll Deduction Program.  Contributions can be directed to any campus designation that has an associated philanthropic fund (C fund).  Please include the name of the designation on our employee payroll deduction form.  For your reference, our giving website lists many of the most common designations. Payroll deduction contributions may be tax-deductible. Please consult your tax advisor. Annual gift acknowledgments will be provided from University Advancement for tax purposes.

For more information, please contact University Advancement at advancement@sonoma.edu or (707) 664-2712.