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Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

How Employee Giving Makes a Difference

Giving Methods and Details

General Information

Is this a new fundraising program?

No. The tradition of employee giving goes back to the university's founding. Andrew Dickson White, Cornell's first president, made many gifts to the university. However, the  Far Above…From Within website does offer a new means of presenting giving options as well as new ways to recognize employees for their generosity.

Who participates in faculty and staff giving?

Employees from every area of the university make the choice to give to Cornell. Active Cornell faculty and staff, as well as faculty emeriti and retirees, are encouraged to give. 

Do gifts made by employees count toward Far Above...The Campaign for Cornell?      

All gifts to Cornell, including those from faculty and staff, made during the Campaign (July 1, 2004 through December 31, 2011) count as campaign contributions.

If you are a Cornell alumnus, your gift will also be counted in alumni participation rates.

How Employee Giving Makes a Difference

I support Cornell every day through my work. Why should I also give money to the university?

Giving is a very personal decision, and people make gifts to support Cornell for different reasons. Some give out of appreciation for Cornell as an employer, a world-class research institution, or because they value cultural institutions such as the Johnson Art Museum, the Plantations, or the Cornell Concert Series. Others give because they feel a responsibility and desire to support current students, and see financial support as a way of strengthening their commitment to the university’s vision. Some give because they want Cornell to improve, to become an even better University.

Cornell has a very well established culture of philanthropy and community building, and being part of that tradition is another way to express your commitment to the place where you choose to live and work.

This year, your gift, in any amount, is one way in which you can immediately help the university maintain the excellence of its students, faculty, and staff. Unrestricted support—the Cornell Annual Fund, college and unit funds, or the Cornell Fund for Student Aid—provides us with the flexibility to meet critical needs and capitalize on new opportunities as they arise.  In years to come, your ongoing gift support will enable the university to sustain excellence for future generations.

I’m worried about the economy and about my job security. Why should I give in this climate?

As we all know, the economic crisis caused a 10% shortfall in Cornell’s operating budget.  Our institutional strategy, as outlined by President Skorton, is to radically cut costs, to draw on the endowment in order to support the commitment we made to financial aid in 2008, to raise tuition, and to increase gifts at all levels.

Now, more than ever, gifts from employees will show alumni and others that we believe in Cornell and support its future. This is also a time when unrestricted current-use dollars matter significantly. The more cash Cornell has on hand, the less pressure there is on its endowment and the better it will be able to weather the economic crisis in good health.

From now until June 2009, you can also choose to support your colleagues directly by giving to the Employee Hardship Fund. This fund was established to aid employees who face great financial hardship.

Can I choose how my gift will help Cornell?

Yes. You can designate your gift to Cornell to a variety of areas. Some employees choose to give to the Cornell Annual Fund or the Cornell Annual Fund for Student Aid, which provides immediate assistance to the students who need it the most. Others support:

  • The Cornell Library (all 18 libraries on the Ithaca campus and Geneva)
  • Graduate student support
  • Scholarships and professorships
  • Funds that assist fellow employees, i.e., the Employee CARE Grant Fund and the Employee Hardship Fund

Some employees choose to support a specific department, fund, or program. You may also choose to make a gift in honor of, or in memory of, another faculty or staff member or a family member or friend. Your gift directly benefits the area you select. Simply note your preference when you make your gift.

How do gifts to the Cornell Annual Fund help Cornell?

Giving to the Annual Fund is one of the best ways you can help Cornell because gifts are put to use immediately where they are needed most. Your support of the Cornell Annual Fund provides money for scholarships, student-led initiatives, and research that improves lives and leads to solutions. Gifts of all sizes are welcome.  “The annual fund is one of Cornell’s most essential resources,” says trustee Bob Katz ’69, “because it supports every person, in every study, every year.”

The impact of Annual Fund gifts is powerful. Every $5,000 in Annual Fund support gives Cornell the same purchasing power in one year as $100,000 in endowment. In fiscal year 2008, Annual Fund gifts totaled $21.5 million. Every gift does count—75% of Annual Fund gifts are $250 or less!

Giving Methods and Details

How can I give?

You can give by payroll deduction, check, or by credit card.  Gifts of cash and securities, stock shares, mutual fund shares, and bonds are all acceptable. Cornell gift planning staff can work with you to discuss how the university can be included in financial and estate plans to support university programs and priorities, provide substantial tax benefits, and maximize charitable giving. Gifts to Cornell are tax deductible to the full extent of the Internal Revenue Code.

Can I designate my gift to more than one area?

Yes, if you pay by check or credit card.
If you choose to give by payroll deduction self-service, at this time you will only be able to designate to one or more of the four gift funds listed on the payroll web site.

How much should I give?

Every gift, regardless of size, is important. Giving is a very personal decision, so you should consider your personal philanthropy as a reflection of your values and priorities. Your participation in Far Above… From Within, and establishing an annual tradition of giving at any level, is what is most important.

I have already made a gift this year.  How will it be counted?

Gifts made by employees to the university either through the Cornell Annual Fund or directly to a program or department count when faculty and staff participation rates are calculated.

Can I make an anonymous gift?

Yes. Simply note your preference in writing or in the online giving form when making your gift.

Can I make a gift jointly with my spouse?

Yes. Simply note your spouse’s name and request for joint gift credit in writing or in the online giving form when making your gift.

What if my spouse works for a matching gift company?

Some donors are affiliated with a company that has a matching gift program. You can take advantage of the matching gift database on the Cornell giving web site at  http://www.alumni.cornell.edu/matching_gift_search.cfm. This site will help you determine if your spouse’s employer has a matching gift program and learn the specific match requirements.