Make a gift whenever the Panther spirit moves you! The most common type of donations to the university are spontaneous, made by generous alumni and friends of Florida Tech after speaking with one of our students on the phone, reading an issue of Florida Tech magazine, attending a campus event, or participating in our annual Day of Giving. These gifts may be unrestricted or designated for specific use by the donor.
You may currently work for a company that provides matching gifts. Check to see if your employer will match your contribution to Florida Tech.
Gifts of $25,000 to $1 million (and more) can be used to establish a permanent . Endowments are permanent funds that grow with interest over time while also generating revenue for the university that may used for anything from student scholarships to faculty chairs.
Scholarships
A scholarship supports a portion of a student’s financial aid needs while also honoring that student’s achievements. Scholarships are often designated for particular areas of study or with other requirements based on the donor’s preferences.
Minimum: $25,000, or $500,000 for a full tuition award.
Professorships
A professorship is a research fund that also provides a faculty member with distinction in their field. Faculty holding a professorship use the income to support their research and programs and to fund student research in their area.
Minimum: $100,000
Named Chairs
A named chair provides the highest level of distinction for a faculty member. For donors who want to secure the present and future of a particular area of study, a named chair is ideal.
Minimum: $2 million
Naming Opportunities
Donor gifts can also be used to name areas of campus, from buildings to classrooms. are often presented to individuals who have impacted the university in a variety of ways during their lives.
Minimum: Determined by the area size and visibility and by the needs to support the area named.
Donors often offer in-kind donations of valuable property, including but not limited to equipment, artwork, vehicles, or real estate. As a policy, if accepted, Florida Tech will typically sell in-kind gifts unless otherwise agreed to. In-Kind gifts may, under some circumstances, be counted for fundraising purposes, but are always greatly appreciated and often bring important resources to our educational and research missions. Vehicle donations can be made on our vehicle donation page.
The experience, talents, and wisdom you have gained in your life can be your greatest gift to the university! We invite you to consider volunteering to participate on an advisory board, giving a virtual lecture for fellow alumni and students, or coaching current/future Florida Tech students through their college decision-making process, choice of major, senior projects, and career searches.
With your knowledge and expertise, you have the power to:
- Add unique and lasting value to students' Florida Tech experience
- Help the university attract, engage, and enroll high-performing students
- Increase the reach and impact of Florida Tech's regional and affiliation networks
- Support the professional development of fellow Panthers
There is perhaps no better, more lasting, or more literal way to make your mark at Florida Tech than to name a part of campus that means something to you.
We are proud to offer the Florida Tech Family the opportunity to honor important people, dates and organizations by bestowing a name upon a certain element of the Florida Tech property. Florida Tech has a large variety of facilities you may choose from to adopt as a naming opportunity. From rooms inside the Scott Center for Autism Treatment to the Brick Terrace outside the Keuper Building, many opportunities are available. All naming opportunities will be established and maintained in accordance with the Florida Tech Naming Policy.
Priority physical naming opportunities include the new Health Sciences Building, the coming Mertens Marine Science Center, the Scott Center for Autism Treatment, and the Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden.
In addition, the following represent the most important naming opportunities for supporting faculty and students.
Botanical Garden Naming Opportunities
Florida Tech's Joy and Gordon Patterson Botanical Garden, through the intense interest of Founding President Emeritus Jerome P. Keuper, and the inspiration and help of Mr. Dent Smith in the 1960's, has become one of the most unique campus botanical gardens of its kind in the continental United States.
Pavilions
| Opportunity |
Donation |
| Concrete Pavilion in Patio |
$25,000 |
| Heart of Palm Garden |
$25,000 |
| Wooden Pavilion |
$15,000 |
Trails
| Opportunity |
Donation |
| Creek Branch Trail |
$15,000 |
| Fern Bed Trail |
$10,000 |
| Bamboo Trail |
$10,000 |
| Pioneer Trail |
$10,000 |
| Trails in Development (NE) |
$10,000 |
| Memorial Trees in the Botanical Garden |
$1,000 ea. |
Faculty Chairs ($2M)
Faculty Chairs allow Florida Tech to recruit and retain the best faculty in their fields. For a donor, a faculty chair provides perpetual recognition that will, over time, create a long line of outstanding academic leaders. Faculty chairs secure the university's ability to sustain their specific area of study, research and teaching. They add distinction and recognition to the university and its departments.
Faculty Professorships ($100,000 or more)
A professorship at Florida Tech supports the research of its appointed faculty member. These are awarded to distinguished faculty who have exhibited outstanding achievement and/or promise of achievement in their fields. Funding from the professorship is used by the faculty member to advance their research and academic programs as a critical part of the university's mission. Examples include giving faculty holders the ability to conduct pilot research projects or to support student research under their supervision.
Student Fellowship Funds ($100,000 or more)
Fellowship Funds are awarded by faculty primarily in support of graduate students. These funds allow students to pursue research projects as part of their education and to participate in conferences, symposia, field trips and other relevant activities for their development professionally. Fellowships are especially important for promising future researchers and academics and can play a role in supporting them during the most vital early years of their careers.
Student Scholarship Funds ($25,000 or more)
One of the most essential giving opportunities for Florida Tech are scholarship funds which allow the university to support students. Every student who is qualified to attend Florida Tech should be able to afford to come regardless of their family financial circumstances. For this reason, need-based scholarships are particularly important. In addition, merit-based awards help Florida Tech to recruit the most talented students who will bring to the campus particular academic strength, curiosity and potential to excel.
Named Spaces
Donors create a visible legacy when they name buildings, classrooms, lecture halls, gardens, and other areas of the university. Named spaces help us to personalize campus and create a warmer feeling when directing visitors.
Named Colleges and Departments
Naming a College or Department not only secures resources to help raise our level of excellence and to enable growth in research and teaching but also gives an identity for prospective students and faculty and enhances the reputation of the university. All College and Departmental Namings require Board Approval.
All named spaces will need to be reviewed and approved by University leadership.
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One of the most advantageous ways to contribute to the university is through a gift of stock. Making a gift of securities is simple and offers a number of benefits:
- You can donate appreciated stocks, bonds or mutual funds
- The total value of the stock upon transfer is tax-deductible
- There is no obligation to pay any capital gains taxes on the appreciation
The university recommends that you consult with your tax advisor regarding your specific tax situation.
Procedures for Stock Gifts
The donor or donor’s broker should inform the Florida Institute of Technology Office of Advancement via email to gifts@fit.edu of the following information:
- Name of donor
- Name of company/security
- Ticker symbol or CUSIP
- Number of shares
- Broker contact information, and
- Designation language, for example: “given for the benefit of Florida Institute of Technology” or if restricted, specific language as to the donor’s intent.
The donor’s broker may use the following account information for the securities transfer.
| Receiving Firm Name: |
National Financial Services |
| DTC Clearing Number |
0226 |
| Account Number: |
645-484210 |
| Name of Recipient |
Florida Institute of Technology |
| Florida Tech Federal Tax ID # |
59-6046500 |
It is important that you authorize your broker to disclose to the university your name and the details pertaining to the stock transfer. This will allow us to efficiently identify the gift when it arrives and to acknowledge it.
If you have any questions, need assistance or would like to transfer stock certificates held by you, please contact the Advancement Office at (321) 674-6142, or by email to gifts@fit.edu.
Donate a car, truck, motorcycle, boat, or RV in support of our students, facilities and faculty. Donating a vehicle is easy and your gift qualifies for a tax deduction! Simply call us toll-free or complete the online vehicle donation form, and we’ll pick up your vehicle for free at a time that works best for you.
Donate today and help make a profound difference at Florida Tech.
To make a wire transfer or automated clearing house (ACH) transfer to benefit a fund, department or program at Florida Tech, please contact us at gifts@fit.edu.
