Why and How to Donate

Friends of OSD’s Mission is to enhance the education of Oregon School for the Deaf students in such a way as to prepare them more fully for participation in their communities. Your generous support of Friends of OSD allows the FOSD board to focus funding in ways that directly enhance the students’ educational experience at the Oregon School for the Deaf. We are currently engaged in seeking funds for the following projects:

Expanding the Construction Academy: which has a 100% job placement rate for OSD graduates;
Upgrading the Greenhouse Project: in which OSD students learn biology, chemistry, how to grow, tend, harvest and sell plants. This is great preparation for participation in the nursery sector, number one in Oregon’s economy;
Camperships: for $500 we can send an OSD student to a one-week session at Camp Taloali, especially for Deaf/ Hard of Hearing kids and their siblings. This helps to maintain vital language and social skills over the summer break, as well as providing an outdoor, environmental learning experience.
Shakespeare Festival Trip: about a dozen OSD students every year earn the right to go on this weekend trip to see ASL interpreted plays, meet the actors, learn about the theater and experience traveling away from home.

Below are some of your options for making your gift today.

Make Your Gift Online – Click on the Donate button to go to our secure online donation form. Please be aware that Paypal will charge a percentage of your donation for this service.

Donate With Paypal

Donate by Mail

To donate by mail, print this form, enclose a check or money order payable to “Friends of OSD” and mail to:

Friends of OSD
PO Box 15053
Salem, Oregon 97309

Honorary and Memorial Donations

Friends of OSD provides an opportunity to remember and honor individuals through charitable giving. Significant events have included graduations, weddings, birthdays, deaths and a variety of other special recognitions.

Print this form, complete the memorial or honorary information, and we will send an appropriate acknowledgement to the person or family being remembered.

Pledge to Support FOSD Throughout the Year

Pledge to support the work of FOSD on a regular basis by making a monthly electronic donation direct from your bank or credit union account to FOSD’s account. Please contact FOSD for information on how to set up this arrangement. All cash contributions are deductible as an itemized deduction in the year you that make the donation, up to a total of 50% of your adjusted gross income. Excess charitable deductions can be carried forward for up to five additional years.

Appreciated Securities

Consider donating stocks that you have held for more than one year and have appreciated in value. If you donate appreciated stock that you’ve held for more than one year, you pay no capital gains tax on the transaction and are entitled to a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock.

(It is important that you discuss any gifts with your financial advisor.)

Gifts of Real Estate

If you own property that is not subject to a mortgage and has appreciated in value, a charitable gift may be an attractive option. You can claim an income tax deduction based on the fair market value of the property, avoid all capital gains taxes and remove that asset from your taxable estate. Or, you can transfer your home or farm to FOSD now and continue to use the property for the rest of your life. Due to the complexities involved, we encourage you to discuss any gift of real estate with your financial advisor.

Remembering FOSD in Your Will

There are many options available if you would like to remember Friends of OSD in your will. For these options it would be best for you to work with an attorney specializing in this area of financial planning. Often an attorney will work closely with your financial planner.

Leverage Your Gift with a Corporate Match

Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. If your company has such a program, please consider requesting a matching gift from your employer to double the impact of your gift.

Crowdfunding

There is an easy online way that you and your friends can donate to the work of FOSD: our ongoing GoFundMe campaign can be accessed at: https://www.charity.gofundme.com/friendsofosd

Please consider a donation and share this information far and wide.

Help FOSD raise funds through our fundraising partnerships »

The FOSD mission and purpose is to support the enhancement of programs and services for students at OSD beyond the State’s funding responsibility*. The FOSD Board has identified four initiatives for which awards may be granted: education, cultural activities, innovative programs and minor capital improvement projects.

Founded by a small group of dedicated people in 2006, FOSD was established to support the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD). From that beginning, Friends of OSD has grown into a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with an all-volunteer Board of Directors. In 2014, FOSD created an Advisory Council of 15 members.

The Friends of OSD Strategic Plan provides direction as the nonprofit continues to expand. We are proud to say that 95% of all grants and donations go directly to programs that benefit students.

*The State of Oregon is responsible for operating programs and services for the students at the Oregon School for the Deaf (OSD). Federal case law establishes the expectation that special education services provided by a school be reasonably designed to ensure students make progress. Friends of OSD will not replace or supplant the responsibilities of the state.

Friends of OSD - FOSD

Enhancing the educational experience for OSD students.