Syracuse University staff and faculty who make charitable contributions to the University have a convenient new option thanks to the Dec. 6 launch of an online form for giving by automatic payroll deduction, accessible at http://giving.syr.edu.
Much like the payroll deductions available for flexible spending accounts, parking and other University services and benefits, this service for employee donors automatically withholds a portion of participating employees' pay, post-tax, each pay period. Employees who choose to participate visit the Web site, download the form and fill it out, and send it via campus mail to the Annual Giving office. Contributions can be applied to the University's highest priorities, or to whichever school, college, athletic program, scholarship or other program is specified by the contributing employee.
"This new feature adds flexibility to an opportunity many of us already take advantage of," says Tammy Schlafer, executive director of annual giving. "Collectively, gifts from faculty and staff represent a significant contribution to the mission we all work to support each day." According to Schlafer, more than 22 percent of the University's full-time, regular faculty and staff made contributions totaling more than $385,000 in FY 2004, not counting Orange Pack Preferred Seating participants. Counting Preferred Seating, the figures jump to 33 percent and $469,000.
"SU has a strong culture of philanthropy among its faculty and staff, and this improved service is the latest reflection of that culture," says Schlafer, who adds that the University is currently in the planning stages of its first organized campaign to promote faculty-staff giving, details of which will be announced next year.
For more information on payroll deduction and other gift opportunities, visit http://giving.syr.edu, or contact the Annual Giving Office at giving@syr.edu or 443-1848.
