Ways of giving

Richmond relies on the generosity of alumni, parents, and friends, not only to maintain its standards of excellence, but to help us to exceed them. Because tuition alone does not cover the depth and breadth of a Richmond education, your gift is essential to continuing to provide the resources the University needs to ensure the highest standards in programs, facilities, faculty, and scholarships.

The contributions of each alumnus/a, parent, and friend go a long way towards ensuring that Richmond’s standards improve with each successive generation.

The Case for Endowment

Nearly 400 colleges and universities in the USA, as of 2002, enjoyed endowments of $50 million or more. Forty such institutions have endowments of $1 billion or more. There are 283 colleges and universities with $100 million or more.

The competitive advantage of endowment wealth is undisputable. From being in the position to admit top students of limited means, to investing in the highest quality of educational experience, endowed universities have an advantage which unendowed institutions cannot hope to emulate.

Those 400 endowed U.S. institutions built their endowments over time. In virtually ever case, the prevailing source of those endowment funds were gifts to the University, most usually in the form of bequests and other such legacy gifts including (from American donors) Charitable Remainder Trusts.

As a young institution, Richmond has yet to build an endowment legacy because most of Richmond’s alumni are far from retirement and even further from death. Thus, building an endowment via bequests is a very long term proposition that may not be realized at Richmond for decades. On the other hand, working toward that end can begin immediately…and should.

Charitable Remainder Trusts, for those who are tax eligible for this advantageous program, can offer tax exempt income for life and also reduce inheritance taxes to those who establish them, in order to benefit tax exempt charitable entities like Richmond University.

Securing Richmond’s international renown as a preeminent higher education institution will require improving upon the present non-existent endowment.

Gifts to the University are often in memory of and/or to honor someone important to the donor. An array of such giving opportunities exists, all of which are exempt from capital donor transfer taxes in the UL and the UK. These include any of the Gift Opportunities

Giving to Richmond University allows the same tax benefits as would giving to a recognized charity. For those who pay USA income taxes, all giving to the University is 501(c) qualifying and is fully deductible from gross annual earnings.

For those who pay British taxes, the full extent of British tax exemptions for charitable giving are applicable since The Richmond Foundation is a registered British charity.

Gifts of Cash

Traditionally, a majority of the gifts made to Richmond come in the form of cash, via check or credit card. Checks should be made payable to "Richmond The American International University in London" and mailed to :

Richmond The American International University in London
Alumni Relations Office
7-17 Ansdell Street
London W8 5BN

For payments by Visa, Mastercard, (we do not accept Diners Club or American Express), please visit or call +44 (0) 207 368 8468

Gifts of Marketable Securities

A gift of appreciated securities that you have held for more than one year is frequently the most economical way to give.

Give Securities or Mutual Fund Shares to Richmond

Securities Held by Your Bank or Broker

Please notify your bank or broker that you are making a gift of securities to Richmond and instruct your bank or broker to notify Richmond by telephone or e-mail either +44 (0) 207 368 8468 or Alumni@richmond.ac.uk. Please tell your bank or broker not to proceed until speaking with a representative at that office.

Securities Held by You

Please send unendorsed certificates by mail, along with a letter giving your name, address, Richmond class, and the purpose of your gift to:

Richmond The American International University in London
Alumni Relations Office
7-17 Ansdell Street
London W8 5BN

Mutual Fund Shares

The procedure for transferring shares is established by the mutual fund company.

Gifts of Other Assets

Gifts to Richmond can come in the form of other assets as well. For example, you may wish to consider gifts of closely held stock, tangible personal property if its use is related to the University’s educational purpose, or real estate. Please call +44 (0) 7368 8468 to discuss this idea.

If you would like to make a donation, email deirdre.simpson@richmond.ac.uk.