The Matching Gift Program
The Matching Gift Program focuses on higher education by matching donations from Westar Energy employees and directors and their spouses on a dollar-for-dollar basis per household per calendar year. The minimum annual gift that will be matched is $100, and the maximum is $1,000 per household per calendar year.
The Matching Gift Program Guidelines
- The contributions must be a personal gift of the eligible donor.
- The contributions must be paid, not merely pledged, by the donor.
- The Foundation will match contributions ($1 for $1) up to $1,000 per household per calendar year.
- For retirees, the Foundation will match contributions ($.50 to $1) per household per calendar year.
- The Matching Gift Program will be paid quarterly. Company donors will be notified when their gifts have been matched.
- The recipient institution must acknowledge matching gifts made on or before Dec. 31 by completing Part B of the matching gift form and mailing it to the Foundation no later than Jan. 31 of the following year.
- The recipient institution must be located in Kansas. No matches will be sent outside the state.
- Marketable securities will be eligible gifts for purposes of matching for value up to $1,000 per household per calendar year. The value of such securities for matching purposes will be the average price (between the low and the high quotation, if available, and, if not, the fair market value) on the date the gift was made.
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The Matching Gift Program Institution Guidelines
In order to qualify for the Matching Gift Program, a recipient organization must meet the following requirements:
- Kansas colleges or universities offering at least a two-year program of study, including seminaries, theological schools, schools or colleges within a university that conduct their own fund-raising efforts (such as law school or medical school)
- Tax-exempt educational funds, such as the United Negro College Fund, the American Indian College Fund or the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities
- 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status
- Location in Kansas
- Accreditation by a nationally recognized regional or professional association
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Matching gifts cannot be used for the following:
- Dues payable to national or local alumni groups, fraternities or sororities
- Gifts-in-kind (e.g., personal or real property, other than securities; value of personal services)
- Gifts for non-scholastic programs or athletics departments and programs including stadium construction or building funds
- Payment in lieu of tuition, books or other student fees
- Gifts fixed by a school as a condition for student enrollment
- Gifts affording the donor special privileges or benefits, such as preferred seating at athletic events, options to purchase preferred seating, use of athletics facilities and special parking privileges
- Gifts made jointly by several individuals or on behalf of an ineligible participant
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Administrative Conditions
The Westar Energy Foundation reserves the right to amend or discontinue this program, in whole or part, at any time without notice.
The Westar Energy Foundation reserves the right to verify the eligibility of any gift before paying the matching gift.
The Westar Energy Foundation will determine the interpretation, application and administration of the program, and its decision shall be final. |
Submitting A Matching Gift Request
Donors will complete Part A of the the Matching Gifts form and send it in to the educational institution, foundation or association. The recipient will complete Part B of the form and return it, along with a letter attesting to the organization’s 501(c)(3) status, as soon as possible to:
Westar Energy Foundation
Attn: Foundation President
P.O. Box 889
Topeka, KS 66601-0089
Telephone: (785) 575-1544
Fax: (785) 575-6399 |