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Ways to Give

Making a charitable contribution to Bard College is easy
Photo by Karl Rabe
Gifts can be made online or via check, credit card, wire transfer, securities, or real estate.

Methods of Giving

  • Bard College is a registered 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization (TIN: 14-1713034), incorporated in Red Hook, NY.
  • Contributions are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
  • Please check with your financial advisor for specific information regarding the deductibility of your gift.

  • Online

    Online

    To donate online, click here. Bard College accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card.
  • By Credit Card

    By Credit Card

    Bard College accepts VISA, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover Card. To donate online, click here. To make a contribution by credit card over the telephone or email, please contact the Gift Recorder at 845-758-7861 or [email protected].
  • By Check

    By Check

    Checks and other correspondence should be sent to:

    Bard College

    Office of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs
    Attn: Gift Recorder
    PO Box 5000
    Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000
  • By Wire Transfer

    By Wire Transfer

    To make a gift via wire transfer, instruct your brokerage or bank office to arrange for the transfer of funds electronically to the appropriate Bard account. 

    For general gifts and grants

    Bank of America
    222 Broadway
    New York, NY 10038

    Beneficiary: Bard College
    Wire Routing Number: 026009593 (to be used for wires sent from a US account)
    ACH Routing Number: 021000322 (to be used for ACH or non-wire transfers)
    Beneficiary Account Number: 483075033470
    International SWIFT Code: BOFAUS3N
    Memo: Please include purpose or program to which you are supporting to ensure proper crediting of your donation.


    For gifts to endowment

    Bank of America
    222 Broadway
    New York, NY 10038

    Beneficiary: Bard College
    Wire Routing Number: 026009593 (to be used for wires sent from a US account)
    ACH Routing Number: 021000322 (to be used for ACH or non-wire transfers)
    Beneficiary Account Number: 483075033519
    Memo: Please include purpose or program to which you are supporting to ensure proper crediting of your donation.

    To ensure proper crediting of your donation
    Please send a copy of the instructions you send to your broker or bank officer, along with any special instructions regarding the purpose of the gift via:
    Email: [email protected]         
    Fax: 845-758-4294

    Or by Mail: 
    Bard College

    Office of Development and Alumni/ae Affairs
    Attn: Gift Recorder
    PO Box 5000
    Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504-5000

    Thank you for your gift to Bard! If you wish to speak to someone regarding your gift, please call the Gift Recorder at 845-758-7861 or [email protected].
  • View PDF

    Appreciated Securities

    When you donate appreciated stocks to Bard, you avoid the capital gains tax you would have paid if you sold the asset. If you have owned the securities for longer than twelve months, you also receive an income tax charitable deduction for their full fair-market value. These tax savings–both in income and capital gains taxes–make gifts of securities a popular alternative to cash.

    If you wish to maintain a particular stock in your portfolio, consider giving Bard the stock and using the cash you would have donated to purchase the same securities in the open market. The newly acquired shares will then carry the current market value as their cost basis, an easy way to reduce future capital gains tax liability.

    You can use this free and secure online tool to make a gift of stock to inspire curiosity, a love of learning, idealism, and a commitment to the link between higher education and civic participation at Bard—all while saving on taxes.

    Get Started Now

    If you'd like to contribute stocks directly to Bard, please view these instructions.
    View PDF
  • Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA

    Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) from an IRA

    On December 18, 2015, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act of 2015 was enacted, which retroactively reinstates and makes permanent several tax incentives including Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs) through an IRA Charitable Rollover. A QCD allows an individual aged 72, or 70½ if you turned 70½ before January 1st, 2020, and older to make direct transfers up to $100,000 per year to 501(c)(3) charities, without having to count the transfers as income for federal income tax purposes. No charitable deduction is taken, but distributions will qualify for all or part of the IRA owners required minimum distributions and is a tax-wise way to support Bard College.

    We’ve partnered with a free and secure online tool that makes it easy to make this contribution and support our community in a way that’s beneficial to you. No sensitive personal information is required and it only takes a few minutes.
    Get started today.

    Benefits of a Qualified Charitable Distribution:
    • Any amount processed as a QCD counts toward your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) requirement.
    • Reduces the taxable amount of your IRA distribution by lowering both your adjusted gross income and taxable income– resulting in a lower overall tax liability.
    • Receive a tax benefit even if you take the standard deduction
    • Married couples who file jointly can transfer up to $200,000 per year as a QCD Gifts from 401k, 403b, SEP and other plans do not qualify. 

    Ask your financial advisor if it would be right for you to create a traditional IRA account so you can benefit from the IRA Charitable Transfer.

    This information is not meant as tax or legal advice. Be sure to check with your financial advisor to determine whether this gift plan is right for you.

    Your IRA administrator must make transfers directly from your traditional IRA account to Bard College. To make a QCD gift, contact your IRA custodian. 

    To ensure proper crediting of your gift, please notify the Gift Recorder of your intended donation, and any special instructions regarding the purpose of the gift. Call 845-758- 7861 or email [email protected].edu.
  • Payroll Contribution Form

    Bard Employee Payroll Contribution

    The Bard Employee Payroll Contribution form can be found here.
    Payroll Contribution Form
  • Donor Advised Fund

    Donor Advised Fund


    What is a donor advised fund?
    A donor advised fund (DAF) is a type of giving program that allows you to combine the most favorable tax benefits with the flexibility to support your favorite charities easily. DAFs are an excellent way to simplify your charitable giving and facilitate your philanthropic goals.

    How does it work?
    • Establish your DAF by making an irrevocable, tax-deductible donation to a public charity that sponsors a DAF program  
    • Advise the investment allocation of the donated assets (any investment growth is tax-free)  
    • Recommend grants to qualified public charities of your choice, like Bard College

    What are the main advantages of the DAF?
    • Simplicity: The DAF sponsor handles all record-keeping, disbursements, and tax receipts.  
    • Flexibility: Timing of your tax deduction can be separate from your charitable decision making.
    • Tax efficiency: Contributions are tax-deductible and any investment growth in the DAF is tax-free. It is also easy to donate long term appreciated securities, eliminating capital gains taxes and allowing you to support multiple charities from one block of stock.
    • Family legacy: A DAF is a powerful way to build or continue a tradition of family philanthropy.
    • No start-up costs: There is no cost to establish a DAF. However, there are often minimum initial charitable contributions to establish the DAF (typically $5,000 or more).**
    • No transaction fees: Once approved, 100% of your recommended grant goes to your qualified public charity of choice.**
    • Privacy if desired: Donors may choose to be acknowledged or remain anonymous.
    ** Sponsoring organizations generally assess an administrative fee on the assets in a DAF. These fees vary by sponsoring organization. 
    ** DAF checks cannot be accepted for event sponsorship (such as sponsoring a table)
  • Information Sheet

    Planned Giving

    Join the Margaret and John Bard Society
    The Margaret and John Bard Society was established to recognize loyal alumni/ae, faculty, staff, and friends who have made provisions for Bard College—planned gifts—in their estate plans. Planned gifts have far-reaching effects that benefit today’s Bard students as well as those of tomorrow. For more information about making your planned gift, click here or download this information sheet.

    More about Planned Giving
    Information Sheet

Other Ways to Give

The John J. Curran '75 Journalism Lectures
John J. Curran '75

The John J. Curran '75 Journalism Lectures

Bard's John J. Curran Journalism Lectures honor John J. Curran ’75, whose dedication to ethical reporting in journalism informed a trusting readership for over a quarter of a century and promoted a culture of honesty, integrity, and truth in those with whom he worked and mentored.
Donate Now

He was a proud member of Bard's Class of 1975. Curran wished to be remembered not for his battle with ALS, but, professionally, for his impact as a journalist who could convey a greater understanding of the world. Bard College and the Curran family hope to keep the discussion about responsible journalism at the fore. Thank you in advance for your support.

The Aileen Passloff Award for Summer Study (PASS)
Aileen Passloff (1931–2020).

The Aileen Passloff Award for Summer Study (PASS)

The Passloff Award for Summer Study (PASS) is an award being created by friends of Aileen Passloff to honor her memory and her gifts as an artist. Our goal is to raise $100,000 to endow this award in perpetuity.
Donate Now

With your financial help, each year talented Bard students will be awarded a summer stipend to continue their discovery of the art of dance. With this award, Aileen's memory will be celebrated every year as young dancers are supported in their growth and maturation as performers. 

The Aileen Passloff Award for Summer Study (PASS)

Aileen Passloff (1931–2020) was the L. May Hawver and Wallace Benjamin Flint Professor Emeritus of Dance and came to Bard in 1969, where she taught for 46 years until her retirement in 2015. Her work as a dancer, choreographer, teacher, and mentor influenced many generations of students. 

As a passionate teacher of dance, Aileen Passloff would, we believe, enthusiastically endorse this project. Students who are serious about learning dance must continue to study dance through the summer months, not just during the academic year, so the PASS can help talented Bard students continue to grow as dancers and artists when they are not at Bard.

Contact Us about Giving

Supporting the Bard College Fund:
Sasha Boak-Kelly,
Senior Director of Development
[email protected]
General questions about Giving:
Gift Recorder
845-758-7861
[email protected]
The Margaret and John Bard Society 
or Planned Giving:

Debra Pemstein, Vice President for Development and Alumni/ae Affairs
845-758-7405
[email protected]

Bard Giving
Bard Giving
Anne Cox Chambers Alumni/ae Center
PO Box 5000
Annandale-on-Hudson, NY 12504
Tel: 1-800-BARDCOL
[email protected]
Give Now!

Make a Gift Bard.edu