Ways of Giving

We have many options for direct donations.

Online: Make a safe and secure online donation by clicking here. 

By Mail: Send a check (payable to AGBU) to the address below and indicate the program name in the memo or include a pledge form along with the check (available to print here):

AGBU
55 East 59th Street
New York, NY 10022
USA

By Phone: Call the AGBU Headquarters Monday through Friday, 9am - 5pm EST at 212-319-6383. 

By Wire Transfer: Wire transfer donations are accepted for all donations of $50 or more. Please email giving@agbu.org for transfer instructions. You may also request the information by calling 212-319-6383.

International Gifts: AGBU alumni and friends around the world can support AGBU’s mission by donating directly to the Headquarters in New York (in USD) or, for tax purposes or other reasons, international donors may choose to donate through their local AGBU chapter or office. Find your AGBU regional and local contacts through the online AGBU Directory or email giving@agbu.org for assistance.

With a minimum donation of $25,000, you can establish a permanent fund in your name or in honor of a loved one. The principal balance is never spent, allowing a portion of the endowment’s yearly income to support the designated program in perpetuity.

To set-up an endowment, please contact AGBU at 212-319-6383 or giving@agbu.org.

There are various gift planning vehicles that allow you to make charitable contributions that maximize personal, family, and philanthropic goals, while also reducing or eliminating income, gift and/or estate taxes. You may even realize immediate tax savings while making a long-term commitment.

• Bequest: Leave a lasting legacy by including AGBU in your will or living trust today for an impact tomorrow. Charitable bequests and trusts are beneficial because they can reduce estate taxes, your assets remain in your control during your lifetime and you can make modifications at anytime. They can also be used to establish a permanent fund in the donor’s name and for a specific AGBU program.

  You may make a bequest or gift of any size through your estate by including a provision as a percentage of your estate, a specific amount or particular asset, or as a percentage or the residue of the estate.
   

  • Percentage Bequest: a specific percentage of your overall estate.

    Sample language:
    "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Armenian General Benevolent Union (DBA AGBU) at 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, 10% of my estate for the purpose of AGBU’s university scholarship program.”
     

  • Specific Bequest: an asset such as real estate or a gift for a specific dollar amount.

    Sample language:
    "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Armenian General Benevolent Union (DBA AGBU) at 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, the sum of $25,000 for the purpose of AGBU’s areas of greatest need."

    "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Armenian General Benevolent Union (DBA AGBU) at 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, real estate property 555 Pleasant Lane for the purpose of programs in Armenia." 
     

  • Residual Bequest: balance of an estate after the will or trust has given away each of the specific gifts. A common residual bequest involves leaving a percentage of the residue of the estate.

    Sample language:
    "I give, devise, and bequeath to the Armenian General Benevolent Union (DBA AGBU) at 55 East 59th Street, New York, NY 10022, 10% of rest, residue, and remainder of my estate for the purpose of AGBU’s humanitarian relief programs." 
     

• IRA: Name AGBU as a beneficiary of your IRA and retirement plan (under the Pension Protection Plan) or life insurance. Account holders aged 70½ or older who make a contribution directly from a traditional IRA to AGBU can donate up to $100,000 without it being considered a taxable distribution. The deduction effectively lowers the donor's adjusted gross income. To avoid paying taxes on the donation, the donor must follow the IRS rules for qualified charitable distributions –charitable IRA rollovers.
   
• Charitable Lead Trust: A Charitable Lead Trust is an irrevocable trust that makes annual payments to AGBU for a period of time. At the end of the set term, the remainder of the trust is distributed to non-charitable beneficiaries such as family members or designated beneficiaries. It can potentially provide benefits such as an income tax deductions or estate or gift tax savings on assets ultimately passed to the individuals designated as remainder beneficiaries.
   
• Charitable Remainder Trust: A Charitable Remainder Trust makes an annual payment to you and/or other beneficiaries for life or for a period of years. At the end of the term, the assets remaining in the trust are distributed to AGBU for the designated AGBU program. The annual payment to you (or other beneficiaries) can be designated as either a fixed dollar amount or as a percentage of the value of the principal. Charitable Remainder Trust donors may qualify for an income tax deduction in the year of their gift if they meet the threshold to itemize their deductions. This may also avoid capital gains tax on the appreciated assets gifted to the trust.

To learn more about your planned gift options and to request a printed version of our brochure, please contact AGBU at 212-319-6383 or giving@agbu.org. Or to view our online brochure, click here.

To better understand your own tax benefits, please follow-up with your financial advisor or lawyer.

This information is provided for explanatory purposes only and should not be considered legal, tax, or financial advice.

Donating securities is a tax efficient way of giving because capital gains taxes on securities are avoided when it is gifted to AGBU. In addition, you will be eligible to receive an income tax charitable contribution deduction for the full fair market value of the security at the time of the gift. To initiate a transfer of securities, please contact AGBU at 212-319-6383 or giving@agbu.org.

Recurring gifts make donating affordable. By giving each month or on an annual, bi-annual or quarterly basis, you ensure that your contribution works for your budget and lifestyle.

Get started today by clicking here and choosing which AGBU program to support, along with frequency and contribution amount.

Changes to your recurring donation commitment can be made anytime by emailing giving@agbu.org.

Contributions to AGBU are a thoughtful way to honor a loved one on a special occasion or paying tribute to someone who has passed.

Make a contribution here or browse our Certificates of Hope here.

To arrange in-memory donations in lieu of flowers for funerals, please contact giving@agbu.org or call 212-319-6383. 

Your generosity can have double or triple the impact when you partner with your employer. Many companies have programs to encourage giving in various ways.

Corporate Matching Gifts: Your employer may match employee contributions to charitable organizations, and some also match gifts made by retirees, spouses, and/or board members. To find out if you work for a matching gift company, search AGBU’s corporate matching gift database. However, if you can’t find your company, please ask your HR department.

Volunteer Grants for Employees (Volunteer Hours = Donations for AGBU): Some companies provide volunteer grants in recognition of an employee’s volunteer work. Ask your employer if they have a volunteer grant program.

Payroll Deduction Donations: Signing up for a payroll deduction plan means that you can donate directly to AGBU from your paycheck. You may select the amount and frequency (recurring or one-time) for no fee. To set-up your payroll deduction donations, please ask your HR department. 

Corporate Social Responsibility: Does your company or your employer make contributions to charitable organizations or sponsor fundraising events, auctions or conferences? To explore various partnership opportunities available to businesses of all sizes, please contact AGBU at 212-319-6383 or giving@agbu.org.

No event or initiative is too big or too small. The funds from your fundraiser can be directed to AGBU’s Opportunity Fund (areas of greatest need) or to your chosen AGBU program.

Host Your Own Fundraising Event: Organize a fundraising event and direct all proceeds and donations to AGBU. Whether it is a brunch, a themed party, a silent auction, an online workshop, a book launch, a ticketed concert or a dinner hosted in your home, your personal touch will make it unique.

Make A Special Occasion Wish: Pledge your birthday, anniversary or wedding to AGBU and invite your friends and family to donate on your behalf. Fundraise through Facebook or request a personalized AGBU donation page.

Shopping That Makes a Difference: Each time you make a purchase on Amazon Smile, 0.5% of every dollar will be donated to support AGBU. Watch to learn how you can select AGBU as your charity of choice.

Dedicate a Run, Walk, Bike-a-thon: Runners, walkers and bikers can dedicate your next race to AGBU. Fundraise through Facebook or request a personalized AGBU donation page.

Social Media: Visit AGBU’s Facebook page and create a campaign that you can share with friends, family and colleagues or find out how your preferred social media platform can help you raise funds for your chosen AGBU program.

Gifts with Meaning: Shop online at the AGBU Bookstore and support causes you care about. View our wide selection of gifts that give back, including books, handmade jewelry, scarves, e-cards and more. 

Kid-Friendly Fundraising: Kids of all ages can help make a difference. There are many fun ideas that not only teach our youth the value of helping others but also how one person can make a difference.

Share Your Success: Whatever you decide, get creative and be sure to share your fundraising campaign on social media by posting news about your successes and milestones, as well as tagging AGBU (@agbu.org on Facebook and/or @agbuglobal on Instagram). 

We’ll provide the tools and support you need to succeed. Email giving@agbu.org or call 212-319-6383 to get started today.