Making a Gift to MEI
Donate on our website
You may make a donation to the Middle East Institute (MEI) by credit card through our online donation form.
Donate by Phone or Check
You may contact Kevin Cowl in the MEI Development office at (202) 785-1141 ext. 213, or by e-mail at kcowl@mei.edu. MEI will gratefully receive contributions by check made payable to “The Middle East Institute” and mailed to:
Kevin Cowl, Vice President for Development
The Middle East Institute
1319 18th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Gifts of Securities or Real Estate
You may qualify for tax benefits by giving MEI a gift of appreciated securities or real estate owned longer than one year. For more information on what you or your broker will need to accomplish this, please contact the MEI Development office at (202) 785-1141 ext. 213.
Employer Matching Gifts
Your employer may offer to match your donation to MEI, which doubles the impact of your gift. We can assist with any requirements you or your employer may have to comply with such a matching program. Please contact your employer’s HR department to learn whether an employer matching contribution to MEI can be accomplished.
Planned Giving
Including MEI in your financial or estate plans will make a significant contribution to MEI’s future programs. You can name MEI as the beneficiary of planned gifts such as bequests, retirement funds, and insurance policies, and of life income gifts such as charitable remainder trusts or charitable gift annuities.
The following table provides a summary of the benefits of each option:
Deferred Gift: A deferred gift is a planned contribution you make now for the future benefit of MEI.
Bequest: Through your will or living trust, designate MEI to receive money, property, or a share of your estate. Your designation is revocable during your lifetime, which will allow you to use such assets in another manner should your circumstances change.
Retirement Plan: Name MEI as a primary beneficiary of a percentage of your retirement plan or IRA. This gift will eliminate income tax on distributions after your lifetime, and it is revocable, as in a bequest.
Life Income Gift: This gift provides you an income during your life, as well as savings.
Charitable Remainder Trust: After you receive income during your life from assets placed in a trust, MEI receives the remaining asset. There are tax benefits and structured payments to you with this option.
Charitable Gift Annuity: You agree to make a gift of cash or other assets to MEI, and MEI provides you with payments during your life. There are tax benefits and structured payments to you with this option.
For more information on how you may make a gift to MEI, please contact us at:
Kevin Cowl, Vice President for Development
(202) 785-1141 ext. 213
kcowl@mei.edu
