Frequently Asked Questions

• Giving to HBS
• Receiving credit for your gift
• Non-giving related FAQs

Giving to HBS

• How do I make a gift?

  There are several ways that you can make a gift to HBS. You can make your gift online through Harvard's secure website. You can also make a gift by check, credit card, wire transfer, and/or a gift of securities. You can expect to receive an official receipt of the gift in 10-14 business days.

  For more information, visit the Ways to Give page.

• Can you give me the specifics regarding payment by check, credit card, wire transfer, and securities?

  Visit the Ways to Give page for detailed instructions on how to donate to the school.

• How can I contact the Development Office at HBS?

  By Phone:
  877.GIVETOHBS
  617.495.6881

  Via E-mail:
  hbs_fund@hbs.edu

  By Fax:
  617.495.9292

• When do I need to fulfill my pledge?

  Donors to HBS, particularly alumni in reunion classes, can make pledges to be fulfilled at a later date. Guidelines for payments differ for reunion and annual giving pledges.

  Reunion Pledges:
  For the 5th, 10th, 15th 20th, 50th, and up
  Pledges must be made by June 30 following the reunion and should be fulfilled by the following December 31.

  For the 25th, 30th, 35th, 40th, and 45th
  Pledges must be made by December 31 following the reunion and should be fulfilled by the following June 30.

  Non-Reunion Pledges:
  Must be paid by June 30th fiscal year close to be counted in giving totals and listed in the School's Contributors Report.

  Special payment arrangements can be made for larger gifts. For further information, please contact Kerry Cietanno, director of Donor Relations at 617.495.6889 or kcietanno@hbs.edu.

• What is the School's Federal Tax Identification number?

  The tax information is as follows: President and Fellows of Harvard College, ID# 04-2103580

• How do I take advantage of my company's matching gift program?

  Matching gifts are an important source of support for HBS and a great way for alumni to increase the size of their gift. To see if your company matches charitable gifts and to review the necessary policies and procedures, use our matching gift company search page. For additional information contact Gift Processing at 617-495-6207, or via email at gifts@hbs.edu. All matching gifts received will be counted in the donor's total giving.

• Are there special giving vehicles for international alumni?

  Residents of France, Germany, and the United Kingdom may give through international giving societies and receive tax credit within their home country. Contributions will receive full HBS credit.

  For more information on these societies, visit http://www.alumni.hbs.edu/giving/europe.html.

Receiving credit for your gift

• How can I get a duplicate tax receipt for my gift?

  To request a duplicate receipt, contact the Harvard University Recording Secretary's Office at 617.495.1750.

• Will my gift to HBS be automatically credited to my class?

  Yes, all gifts receive class credit.

• Will my spouse and I both receive credit for a gift to HBS?

  Joint Crediting is an option but isn't automatically applied. Couples must indicate their intention for a gift to be entered jointly. Couples who give joint gifts will split the gift amount for tax purposes, but will each receive class credit and recognition for the full amount of the gift. Please contact Gift Processing at 617-495-6207, or via email at gifts@hbs.edu for further information about crediting.

• Will I get credit for pledge payments?

  Donors will be recognized in the School's annual Contributors Report for the full amount of a pledge in the year that it is made, regardless of payment timing. Pledge payments made in subsequent years will not be listed. A donor may request that he or she be recognized for payments as they are made over more than one fiscal year.

• What is the crediting policy for planned gifts?

  HBS will give credit to the donor and donor's class for the full face-value of an irrevocable life-income gift. Such credit is given also for a bequest intention, properly documented, in the 50th reunion or later reunion year.