Donor Giving & Gift Processing

Page last reviewed on 10/9/2026. Pages are reviewed annually.

CAS Advancement Services is available to help with gift processing questions and donor giving options. If you're unsure how a gift should be handled, please reach out before taking action. We're happy to help.

The information below outlines the most common ways donors make gifts to your department, along with any related departmental procedures.

Credit Card Gifts

Many donors choose to make gifts online.

Donors may make a gift through the University of Washington's online giving portal by searching for the fund they wish to support.
Returning donors may also locate funds they have supported previously through the My UW Giving portal.
Most departments have a Support Us page that highlights their priority giving opportunities and provides direct online giving links. If someone wants to support your department specifically, sending them to your Support Us page is the easiest way for them to give.
If your Department's Support Us page is needs updates, please follow the instructions provided on the Support Us resource page.

Gifts by Check

Whenever possible, donors should be encouraged to mail checks directly to UW Foundation Gift Services.

Mailing Address

UW Foundation Gift Services
Box 359505
4333 Brooklyn Ave NE
Seattle, WA 98195

To help ensure gifts are directed correctly, donors should include the fund name they wish to support on the check memo line or accompanying correspondence.

If a Check Is Delivered to Your Office

Checks are occasionally received in departmental offices. When this occurs, please complete the following steps within five business days to ensure the gift is processed promptly and securely.

Keep the check in a secure location until it is forwarded to Gift Services.
Endorse the check using your department's endorsement stamp.
- If your unit does not have an endorsement stamp, please request one using the endorsement stamp request form.
Submit a gift transmittal using the Notify Gift Services form so the gift can be processed accurately.
- Select Create Gift Transmittal and print a pdf copy to accompany the check.
- If you have questions regarding the form, please connect with CAS Advancement Services.
Place the check and all related materials, including the original mailing envelope if available, in a sealed envelope.
Send the sealed envelope to Gift Services Box 359505 via campus mail within five business days.
- If the gift is $10,000 or more:
  - Please hand-deliver it in a sealed envelope to Gift Services at the UWAA reception desk, located at 4333 Brooklyn Ave NE, Seattle, WA 98105.
  - The office is in the building to the left(south) of the main UW Tower entrance. Your Husky card will grant you access to the building or there is a buzzer on the outside door to alert a receptionist.
  - The envelope can be left with the receptionist once you have signed it in.
  - If you have trouble accessing the building, please call Gift Services at 206-543-5241.
  - If you are delivering checks in December, please notify Gift Services via Teams.

Pledges

Donors who make a pledge and intend to fulfill their gift over time must sign a UW pledge form. Donors who have made pledges will generally receive reminder notices approximately one month before each scheduled payment due date.

For questions regarding pledges or pledge payments, please contact CAS Advancement Services.

Securities (Stocks) and Wire Transfers

Gifts of securities and wire transfers require advance coordination to ensure funds are routed and credited correctly.. Please contact CAS Advancement Services for assistance.

In-Kind Gifts

In-kind gifts require review before they can be accepted. Please contact CAS Advancement Services before accepting or facilitating an in-kind gift.

Estate and Planned Gifts

The Office of Planned Giving administers gifts that come to the University through wills, trusts, retirement accounts, life insurance policies, and other planned giving arrangements.

All correspondence, checks, notices, and other documentation related to estate or planned gifts should be directed to the Office of Planned Giving. Please include CAS Advancement Services on these communications so we are aware of the expected gift and can help facilitate as needed.

Key notes:

If a donor requests specific restrictions or naming, please contact your Major Gift Officer. They will help guide the conversation in accordance with the University’s Gift Acceptance Policy and corresponding guidelines. We strive to ensure all giving to your department is impactful and aligned with administrative, legal, accounting, and IRS practices.

We generally discourage donors from adding unnecessary language, notes, or comments (e.g. on check memo lines) unless they specifically pertain to how Gift Services should handle the gift. Gift Services will flag any contributions that don’t look charitable in nature. As a reminder:
- Gifts cannot be more restrictive than the receiving gift fund.
- Reimbursements and payments for services are not gifts.
- Gifts that don’t indicate a specific fund will be held in suspense. We may seek your help in asking donors to clarify which fund they want to support.