SUNY ESF
Charitable Tax Credit Program

• In order to participate, a donor must first request authorization through SUNY ESF who will then work with the donor to complete an application.
• Donations qualifying under the NYS Charitable Tax Credit program for 2025 are limited to a minimum donation of $10,000 and to a maximum donation of $100,000 per donor/ tax identification number and tax filing.

• Only individuals are eligible. Donations through family foundations, donor advised funds and corporations are not eligible for this program.
• Individuals must have a New York State tax liability to participate in this program.
• New York City, or local taxes, are not eligible.
• Approval from the SUNY Impact Foundation is required to participate. Approval is granted following a successful application process.

• Contact us to receive an application: Jennifer Walters, Director of Major Gifts, jewalt02@esf.edu or (315) 565-3041.
• The application must be completed and filed with the SUNY Impact Foundation by September 30, 2025.

• Applications to participate in the program are due on September 30, 2025.
• All donations must be received by November 26, 2025 to qualify.
• After working with SUNY ESF to be accepted into the program, donations from the donor are paid to the SUNY Impact Foundation. The SUNY Impact Foundation will then transfer the donation to the donor designated campus, minus a 2% administrative fee.

• Cash — wire transfer.
• Combination cash and stock
• Stocks: Stock donations for this program will be administered by the University of Buffalo and transferred to the SUNY Impact Foundation. November 21, 2025 is the last day for stock transfers to be submitted to brokerage houses.
• No in-kind donations are allowed under this program.

• Wire transfers must be from personal accounts, no corporate accounts.
• You must provide a copy of your wire transfer confirmation.
• All wires transfers should be initiated by 11/21/25.
• Stock orders must be placed for transfer by 11/21/25.
• Prior donations are not eligible for this program.

ESF College Foundation recommends participating donors direct gifts to the following high priority areas:

• The Campaign for ESF Unrestricted Fund: flexible support for areas of greatest need.

• Career Development Program: funding for students participating in internship and career building experiences.

• The following academic research programs:

  • Center for Native Peoples and the Environment (CNPE)

  • American Chestnut Research and Restoration Project

  • Restoration Science Center (RSC)

Testimonial from CTCP donor, David Newman

"The program was very simple and easy to navigate. I have taken advantage of it since it began two years ago and plan to do so again this year.  The paperwork was minimal and the idea of supporting the College in such a direct way was satisfying. I have been surprised that more people have not taken advantage of the opportunity that the program provides.

If you are planning on giving to the College, it is the most cost-effective way of doing it.  I was able to donate stocks that I owned to meet my pledge.  Thus, I was able to avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of the stock which increased the mutual benefit of the charitable donation.  I was able to use 85% of the donation as a direct tax credit, so that I was, in effect, steering my taxes to ESF, rather than the general fund."

Testimonial from CTCP donor, David Wyman

"It looked too good to pass up, so I asked my accountant, and he said it all checked out. I am giving money to an institution that can use it, and the math makes sense to me. It's a win-win situation."