FAQs

• Sponsor a Scholar
• Underwrite Scholar Programs
• Sponsor the Awards Ceremony
• Create a Legacy
• Volunteer as a 1:1 Mentor
• Become a Career Resource
  

Sponsor a Scholar

Q: How do I become a donor?

A: To become a Meritus donor you must fill out a pledge form and make a four year commitment to contribute between $500-$3,000 annually. Please be sure to include your email address, if you have one, so that your scholar can easily write to you.

Q: Is my donation tax deductible?

A: Yes. Meritus is an incorporated 501(c)(3) organization. 100% of the gift - whether designated for a scholarship or program support - is deductible.

Q: What are the guidelines for forming a scholarship group?

A: While many individuals fund full scholarships, donors can build their own groups to reach the same funding goal. Meritus can also bundle individual donations to create a scholarship. With a minimum commitment of $500 per year for four years, six donors can create a $12,000 scholarship. Donor groups are made up of friends, family members, college alumni, and professional colleagues—all of whom have a passion for the value of education.

Q: When is my donation due to be paid?

A: While we appreciate payment in full as your pledge is made, Meritus also welcomes payment in annual installments. Pledge commitment reminders are mailed each June and funds must be received by July 1st.

Q: How should I submit a scholarship payment?

A: Many donors simply send their pledge as a check made payable to Meritus College Fund via mail. Meritus also welcomes donations of stock. Many employers have matching gift programs through which your contribution can be doubled.

Q: What if I want to make a one-time donation instead of a four-year pledge?

A: Your one-time donation benefits Meritus by supporting outreach and programs to help scholars get to and stay in college.

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Underwrite Scholar Programs

Q: What else does Meritus College Fund need?

A: 100% of scholarship contributions go directly to the Scholars. Each year Meritus looks to the community for the operational and programmatic support it requires to make sure that we can provide outreach to students, counsel and track scholars, identify mentors, career and networking opportunities for Scholars and alumni, recruit new donors, and maintain donor and scholar accounts and disbursements.

Q: How can I show my support?

A: You can use the Donate Now! button to make a contribution, send us a check or make a stock donation at any time. Your contribution is 100% tax deductible.

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Sponsor the Awards Ceremony

Q: What is the Awards Ceremony?

A:  The Awards Ceremony takes place late May/early June after the scholarship application process has been completed and scholarship recipients have been chosen. All new recipients, their families and members of the school community attend the event as we recognize the accomplishments of our Scholars. Donors and mentors are also in attendance and have the opportunity to meet the students directly. Current Meritus Scholars and alumni also participate to welcome our new cohort and share their stories of success.

Q: Is the Awards Ceremony a fundraiser?

A: No. The Awards Ceremony is open to members of our community. There is no entrance fee or donation that is required. This is purely a celebratory event to acknowledge the achievements our newest scholarship recipients and the individuals and organizations that will help to nurture them along the way.

Q: What are the benefits of underwriting this event?

A: Donors of this event have been recognized in invitation and publication materials, have participated as speakers, and have been thanked in media communications. Please contact the Meritus office to discuss this sponsorship opportunity. A detailed budget will be provided and a variety of acknowledgement possibilities will be discussed.

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Create a Legacy

Q. How can I preserve my estate with important long-term benefits?

 

A: A variety of options are available to you. Here are some vehicles:

 

1) Include Meritus College Fund in your will or trust

A disposition of cash or specific assets under your will or trust can be provided in one of the following ways:

Cash Amount or Specific Property: "I leave to Meritus College Fund, San Francisco, California [insert amount of cash or identification of property], to be used for its work as the Board of Directors may designate."

Residuary Disposition:  For disposition of the residue of your estate/trust after you have provided for others: "I leave [insert either all or a percentage] of the residue of my estate/trust to Meritus College Fund, San Francisco, California, to be used for its work as its Board of Directors may designate."

Contingent Disposition: If your primary beneficiary(ies) does/do not survive you: "In the event that the beneficiary(ies) does/do not survive me, I leave [his/her/their] portion to Meritus College Fund, San Francisco, California, to be used for its work as its Board of Directors may designate."

2) Gift of appreciated assets to Meritus College Fund

Consider lifetime gifts of stocks and bonds, or real estate (including your home, vacation home, or commercial real estate). The fair market value of qualifying gifts is deductible for income tax purposes, and capital gains tax will not be incurred.

3) Gift of life insurance to Meritus College Fund

Receive an income tax deduction by making Meritus the owner of a policy with cash value. You can keep an insurance policy out of your taxable estate by designating “Meritus College Fund” as owner or beneficiary. 

4) Establish a charitable remainder unitrust for ultimate distribution to Meritus College Fund.

Appreciated assets contributed to a charitable remainder unitrust can thereafter can be sold without incurring capital gains tax. You may serve as trustee, be the lifetime beneficiary in accordance with prescribed rules, add assets to the trust and invest for possible tax-free income from the trust. A charitable remainder trust established during your lifetime provides a current income tax deduction and reduces estate taxes. A post-death charitable remainder trust may also be established under a will or living trust, with an interim non-charitable beneficiary, and with reduction of estate taxes.

5) Leave all or part of your traditional IRA or qualified retirement plan to Meritus College Fund.

When you have paid no income tax on amounts contributed to your retirement plan, income and estate taxes in some cases totaling more than 75% may be due after death on account of the retirement plan. A tax attorney can assist you in substantially reducing these taxes by means of a charitable beneficiary designation.

For more information contact Diana Wolf (diana@meritusfund.org or 415.400.8640) Meritus College Fund, P.O. Box 29024, San Francisco, CA 94129.

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Volunteer as a 1:1 Mentor

Q: What is a 1:1 Mentor?

1:1 Mentors provide targeted relationship, career, and academic support to scholars over a two-year period   of time. Some of the ways that 1:1 Mentors make a difference include:

 

• Prepare 1^st year students for a successful college experience
• Offer positive suggestions to strengthen academics and study skills
• Address cultural, academic, and daily life issues associated with college
• Increase Scholars’ knowledge of graduate/professional schools as well as professional life and career settings
• Provide insight into career planning and the importance of networking

Q: How does mentoring at Meritus "work"?

Meritus College Fund matches mentors with new Scholars in May of each year. Matches are typically formed by shared academic and career interests and scholars preferences.

Successful Meritus Mentors:

• Are college graduates
• Make at least a two-year commitment to their students
• Provide casual but reliable support to Scholars via email or phone at least once per month (and in-person during summer and school breaks)
• Participate in Meritus training and events on a quarterly basis
• Advise Meritus if signs of academic or personal trouble are detected

Q: What do Mentors provide?

Mentors are resources! They:

• Provide guidance on a variety of issues, including college transition, academic planning and preparation, graduate school options and opportunities, and career choices
• Share experiences that contributed to their own successful graduation from college
• Offer general moral support. Meritus staff should be informed if a serious issue arises that impacts a Scholar’s ability to meet their scholarship requirements. Mentors do not impose their religious, political or other ideological beliefs on a student.

Mentors and students are in the best position to determine how their relationship should develop. Each mentoring relationship is different because of the student’s development level, the student’s needs, and his or her personal interests.

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Become a Career Connection

Q: What are Career Connections?

"Career Connection" volunteers are established professionals who provide Scholars with support and advice related to career exploration. This support may occur on a one-time only basis or may include several different types of career-focused interactions over time.

Examples of Career Connections support include:

• Providing practice for job and informational interviews
• Facilitating a job shadow experience
• Working with a Scholar to locate and apply for an internship
• Participating in a career panel discussion
• Offering feedback on resumes and cover letters

Q: How does it work?

Prospective volunteers fill out a Career Connection Application and participate in a short interview and orientation.

Selected volunteers will be matched with Meritus Scholars on a rolling basis, depending on their area of expertise, availability, and career interests of Scholars.

Q: What are some ways I can get involved without making a huge time commitment?

If you don't have time to volunteer with Meritus, there are other vital ways that you can act as an advocate.

Advocates "get the word out" about Meritus in their personal and professional networks. This includes letting their friends, family, neighbors, and colleagues know about how to be a donor, mentor, or a Career Connection Volunteer. Advocates also directly provide tips for internships and employment for Meritus Scholars and Alums.

To learn more about how you can be an advocate or to alert us to a potential internship or employment opportunity with your company, please contact christian@meritusfund.org.

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