What is Community Giving at MIT?
Community Giving at MIT is a workplace giving program that focuses on local 501(c)(3) health and human service agencies. This Institute-wide program provides MIT faculty, staff, and retirees with an opportunity to make their charitable donations via payroll deductions, check, credit card, or securities.
The campaign begins on November 1, 2012 and officially concludes on December 31, 2012. However, we gratefully accept donations year round and can pro-rate payroll deductions during the year.
Where is Community Giving at MIT located?
The program is administered by and located in the Community Services Office, E19-432.
What are the benefits of making my charitable donations through Community Giving at MIT?
How much is raised by Community Giving at MIT?
The 2011-12 campaign raised a total of $253,456. The MIT Community Service Fund received $66,352 in donations; the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley $125,277; and Your favorite local charity program $61,827.
An additional $4,800 was raised through used book fairs on campus and Lincoln Laboratory and department bake sales.
When do charities receive my donation?
One-time gifts made by check or credit card are sent to the recipient organization within 30 days.
Donations made by payroll deduction to the MIT Community Service Fund and the United Way are transferred monthly to the respective organization.
An MIT check representing donations made by payroll deduction to a nonprofit within the "Your favorite local charity" program is sent three times per year to the recipient organization. The check disbursement schedule is
What charities can I give to?
Community Giving at MIT focuses on local health and human service agencies. You may donate to:
What is the MIT Community Service Fund?
The MIT Community Service Fund (CSF) is MIT's internal foundation. Your donation supports the public service initiatives of MIT faculty, staff, students, and retirees. In addition to these creative activities, the CSF also provides funding to support the enduring success of MIT's community partners.
What is the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley?
The United Way focuses on these impact areas: children, youth, families, and the Math Science and Technology Initiative. You may also designate your gift to the Community Impact Fund which includes 170 partner agencies .
What is the "Your favorite local charity" program?
You decide which local 501(c)(3) health or human services agency to support. MIT faculty, staff, and retirees have selected 230+ different local health or human services agencies that address the large issues we care about or provide comfort or care on a more individual level. View the growing list of employee selected charities. Spotlight your favorite charity by making a contribution and we'll add it to the list.
What organizations aren't supported through Community Giving at MIT?
The focus of Community Giving at MIT is to support local 501(c)(3) health and human service agencies. Over the years, we have found that many people would like to donate to faith-based organizations, schools, libraries, and environmental or animal organizations, and we make every effort to facilitate the philanthropic priorities of employees who choose to make those donations through MIT. If one of these types of organizations or charities is important to you, please designate your donation so it meets the criteria for inclusion in the Community Giving at MIT program. We encourage employees to find out whether their favorite organizations have special funds that support
Organizations that don't fall within the parameters of Community Giving at MIT include building or restoration projects for faith-based institutions or libraries, public radio or television, unrestricted donations to alumni organizations, animal rescue or spay/neuter programs, and political parties.
How can I make my donation?
You may make your donation online at https://community-giving.mit.edu or you may print a donation form .
You may make your donation via payroll deductions or as a one-time gift by check, credit card, or securities. Payroll deductions begin in January 2013. Your payroll deduction will be pro-rated if your donation is received after the January payroll.
Credit card donations must be made online at https://community-giving.mit.edu .
What is the sustainer program?
A donor who selects payroll deduction can enroll in the sustainer program so that your pledge made through payroll deduction automatically renews yearly. You can change or discontinue your payroll deduction at any time.
Does MIT have a matching gift program?
MIT doesn't match charitable gifts because MIT is a nonprofit institution.
If you have a spouse/partner, we encourage you to check to see if his/her employer has a matching gift program. Some employers match gifts made by the employee's spouse/partner.
What information do I need to know about donor tax acknowledgment requirements?
You must obtain a receipt in order to claim a charitable tax deduction on your federal tax return. Unless you opt out, the recipient organization will send you a receipt for gifts paid by check, credit card or securities. For gifts made by payroll deduction, save a copy of your on-line or printed donation form and year end pay stub that sets forth the amount withheld for payment through Community Giving at MIT.
Will my name be listed as a donor on the web or in printed materials?
Names of donors are listed on the MIT Annual Fund's yearly participation rosters on the MIT donor recognition site to recognize gifts made to the MIT Community Service Fund or other MIT charitable organizations. You may opt out of having your name listed on the MIT donor recognition site.
What fundraisers or events are upcoming? What organizations do they support?
Our annual used book sale will be held on Friday, November 30 and Monday, December 3 in the Bush Room (10-105). Totes are located around campus for book donations. Proceeds from book sales will benefit the MIT Community Service Fund and the United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley. Last year's used book fair raised $3,300.
A drive to collect winter clothing, linens, and towels will be held Friday, November 30-Monday, December 17. Totes will be located around campus for clothing, blanket, and towel donations. Items will be donated to CASPAR [link], an MIT community partner that provides services to those affected by substance abuse disorders in Cambridge and Somerville.
We also sponsor an on-going cell phone collection. Drop off or send your used or broken cell phone to the Community Services Office, Room E19-432. Phones are refurbished and donated to Community Advocacy Program (CAP), a partnership of community health centers for victims of dating and domestic violence. To date, MIT has donated 237 cell phones.
How can I volunteer?
Please visit the MIT Pubic Service Center which organizes a wide breadth of volunteer opportunities for the MIT community. The PSC is happy to meet with you to help you figure out what you'd like to do. Whether you want help sorting out your ideas, narrowing your focus, or planning a service project of your own, the PSC welcomes the opportunity to sit down and talk with you. Email volunteering@mit.edu to set up a time to meet.
Sign up for the PSC weekly email bulletin that announces upcoming community service activities. Included in the bulletin are both one-time and ongoing volunteer opportunities along with various funded public service activities.
The United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley is also a good resource to learn about volunteer opportunities across Massachusetts.
Vivian Tang, a co-founder of the MIT Camp Kesem, a CSF grant recipient, has fun with a camper doing arts and crafts.
(Photo: Caroline Huang)
ReachOut, a CSF grant recipient, recruits, trains, and matches MIT tutors with Cambridge children identified as needing help with reading.
(Photo: Chris Corales)
