Giving FAQ’s

What is The HCU Annual Fund?

The HCU Annual Fund is the university’s general fund, also the highest priority for annual giving. Gifts to the HCU Annual Fund help us make up the difference between tuition dollars and the actual academic and programmatic costs of the university. Giving to this fund helps the inner workings of HCU, allowing for flexibility to respond to emerging needs and providing a foundation for students to thrive.

Will my gift make a difference?

YES. Every gift makes a difference. Annual gifts of any size, particularly those made to the HCU Annual Fund, play an important role in helping HCU continue to provide a foundation for students to thrive. Alumni gifts of any size show support for your alma mater and help create a lasting legacy for current and future students. In addition, alumni gifts help HCU advance in the U.S. News & World Report ranking.

How do I make a gift?

There are many ways you can make a gift to Houston Christian University, including online, mail, phone, gift planning and more. Visit our Giving Opportunities page here for more information.

Do company-matching gifts count toward donor recognition?

Absolutely! If your company or your spouse’s company participates in a matching gifts program, your gift to HCU could be multiplied! For example, when your gift of $500 is matched with $500 from your employer, you will be recognized at the $1,000 level. Find out if your company offers a matching gift by searching our Matching Gift Database.

Can I make a gift in installments?

Yes, and it’s easy when you make an online gift via our secure online giving form. Check the box that states, “I would like to make monthly, quarterly, or yearly payments.”

What are the tax benefits of making a gift to Houston Christian University?

Houston Christian University is a 501(c)(3) non-profit institution. Your gift to HCU is tax deductible as allowed by law. A receipt will be issued for your gift.

Where should I send my year-end gift to count for the current tax year?

Year-end gifts must be postmarked December 31 to be recorded in that tax year. The same is not true for gifts being made to count within the university’s fiscal giving cycle, June 1 – May 31. Your gift must be postmarked and/or received and prior to May 31 to be applied to the current fiscal year.

Year-end credit card gifts must be submitted online or in person by midnight, December 31 in order to be recorded in the current tax year.

How much control can I have over the use of my gift?

You have the ability to designate your gift to the area you want to support. Gifts may support anything from the HCU Annual Fund, which is used to address the university’s most pressing needs, a specific college or department, scholarships, the library, and much more…it all depends on where you choose your gift to go. You may indicate your fund(s) of choice in the memo line of a check or by selecting option(s) from the designate box located on our secure online giving form.

What if the area I want to support isn’t listed on the giving form and I don’t know the name of the specific fund?

Select the “Additional comments?” option found towards the bottom of our secure online giving form, then describe your designation as best you can in the text box provided. We will contact you if we have any questions.

I still have questions. Where can I get more information?

For additional information, please contact the Office of Advancement.

Houston Christian University | Office of Advancement
7502 Fondren Road – Houston, TX 77074
281-649-3222 | advancement@hc.edu