Ways to give to Buffalo State

When you make a gift to Buffalo State, you change lives. Buffalo State students depend on the generosity of donors to help shape their experiences in and out of the classroom, on the playing field, and in their clubs and activities. Your gift helps support hundreds of scholarships and awards for deserving students, faculty and curriculum development, unique student-learning experiences, technology updates to our classrooms and labs, improvements to campus facilities and grounds, and more. 

To become part of a community that believes in the life-changing power of education, you can mail a check (postmarked by December 31 to count for the 2025 tax year) to: Buffalo State Foundation, Cleveland Hall 511, 1300 Elmwood Ave., Buffalo, NY 14222. Use the memo line to indicate where you would like to direct your support. 

You can also make a gift by phone (716-878-4324) or on the website.

In addition to making a monetary gift via mail, phone, or online, there are several other ways to give to current Bengals both now and throughout the year:

The Fund for Buffalo State
The Fund for Buffalo State, also known as the College Fund, supports hundreds of scholarships and awards for deserving students, high-quality learning experiences from nationally known experts, funds for research and scholarship by students and faculty members, improvements to campus facilities and grounds, and much more.

Honorary and Memorial Gifts
Make a tribute gift to celebrate a loved one, commemorate a milestone, or honor a professor, coach, or friend. The Office of Institutional Advancement will notify the honoree or their family. 

GRIT Scholarships
The GRIT Scholarship is a merit-based scholarship, based not on GPA but on a student's demonstrated Guts, Resilience, Impact, and Tenacity. Students are nominated by a faculty or staff mentor who sees their potential and wants to make sure they can complete their Buffalo State journey successfully. 

Endowed Scholarships
Donors can establish an endowment via a one-time gift or a multi-year pledge to support student scholarship or specific program on campus. Once the endowment is fully funded ($25,000 and above), it will generate annual earnings, in perpetuity, to fund the donor’s intention.

Flexible Endowed Scholarships
A flexible endowed scholarship—which is a combination of a planned gift and an annual gift—allows you to see the benefits of your generosity now. Donate a specified amount every year, usually the amount of the interest that would be generated by the endowment’s eventual worth and defer the endowment itself until it can be fulfilled with a planned gift. Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement (716-878-4324) to set up your flexible endowment.

Bengala + RUNWAY 2026
Bengala, the Buffalo State Foundation Scholarship Gala, joins with RUNWAY to celebrate creativity and scholarship. Purchase tickets, ads, sponsorships, fund a RUNWAY award while supporting student scholarships.  If purchased before December 31, any charitable portion is credited in this tax year. 

Matching Gifts Through Your Employer 
You can double or triple your gift when your employer matches your contribution. Many year-end gifts are maximized this way. Contact your HR office for details.

Stocks or securities
Donating appreciated securities can offer tax advantages while supporting Buffalo State’s mission. You can create a new fund or donate to an existing fund. Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement (716-878-4324) for additional information.

Donor-advised Funds
Support Buffalo State directly from your donor-advised fund. Use our legal name and tax ID to initiate a grant.

Legal Name: Buffalo State College Foundation, Inc.
EIN: 16- 6037117

Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement (716-878-4324) for additional information.

IRA Roll-over / Required Minimum Distributions
Make a tax-free gift from your IRA. If you’re 70½ or older, you can give up to $100,000 from your IRA directly to Buffalo State tax-free. Your gift can count toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) and may offer significant tax benefits. Funds must be transferred directly from your IRA custodian to Buffalo State. A distribution paid to you personally and then donated will not qualify as a QCD. You should consult a tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation. 

Legacy Gifts
Join the Peterson Society, an exclusive group of donors who have made a commitment to support Buffalo State through their will, trust, or as a beneficiary of their retirement account or life insurance policy. Buffalo State has invested in FreeWill, a free online estate-planning tool. It's easy, quick (takes just 20 minutes), and is 100 percent free of charge. Be part of the 30th Anniversary celebration by making your commitment by June 30, 2026. Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement (716-878-4324) for additional information.

Questions?
Please call the Office of Institutional Advancement (716-878-4324) for additional information. Thank you for your interest in supporting Buffalo State and our students!