This is the season for year-end gifts

Year-end gifts are a critical part of university support. However, with department staff leaving for the holidays, these important gifts can sit unopened in campus offices until well into the new year.

Not only is this unfavorable for donor’s tax returns, but it also creates an unnecessary challenge for department budgets supported by foundation funds.

As Jan. 1 nears, departments are encouraged to ensure that someone is checking department mail so that checks do not sit unopened until 2017.

The University of Nebraska Foundation will be closed on Dec. 26 and will close at 3:30 p.m. on Dec. 30. During this time, any donor calls or questions can be referred to the Foundation Omaha office at 402-502-0300 or 800-432-3216 (toll free).

Typically, Dec. 31 is a major day for year-end giving. This year, Dec. 31 falls on a Saturday. If you receive calls about how to give a gift on Dec. 31, please encourage donors to make their gift at on the University of Nebraska Foundation’s website. Any fund that exists at the foundation is available on the website, and that will be the easiest, quickest and — if the donor’s goal is a gift for calendar year 2016 — safest way to make a gift.