Giving

Ways to Give

There are a number of different opportunities for making a gift to Nichols School, including cash gifts, pledges or gifts of stock.

List of 7 items.

  • Gifts of Cash/Check

    Traditionally, the majority of gifts made to Nichols School come in the form of cash. A gift of cash entitles a donor to the most generous federal income tax deduction available for charitable contributions. You may deduct up to 50 percent of your adjusted gross income for gifts of cash, and may carry any amount over that figure forward for up to five additional years. You can make a cash gift to the Nichols Fund online. Make your check payable to Nichols School, and send to:

    Advancement Office
    Nichols School
    1250 Amherst Street
    Buffalo, New York 14216
  • Pledges

    A pledge is a promise to make a specified payment within the fiscal year (July 1 to June 30). Pledges to the Nichols Fund must be paid by June 15 each year.

    You can make a pledge to The Nichols Fund 
    online or by contacting Leslie Garcia, Director of Advancement, at afarber@nicholsschool.org or 716-332-5153. Nichols School allows pledge commitments to endowment and capital projects over a period of five years.
  • Gift by Credit Cards

    To make a gift using your Visa or Mastercard, use our online giving page or call the Advancement Office at 716-332-5151 to speak with a staff member who will assist you in making a gift over the phone.
  • Gifts of Appreciated Stock

    A gift of appreciated securities you have held for more than one year is frequently the most economical way to give. Gifts of stock may be transferred to one of our preferred partners using the following information.

    Please contact Austin Farber, Director of Advancement, at 716-332-5153 or at afarber@nicholsschool.org if you have any questions.
    • Affleure Financial
      Account Name - Nichols School
      Account # - HDQ-348848
      DTC #0226
      Account Custodian: National Financial Services
      Broker/Dealer Commonwealth Financial Network
      Contact Tarik Kawi
      716-881-9000
    • Trubee Collins & Company
      Account Name - Nichols School
      Account # - #6150-4729
      DTC #0141
      Contact Michael Sheets
      1350 M & T Plaza
      Buffalo, NY 14203
      716-849-1475
    • Merrill Lynch
      Account Name - Nichols School
      Account # - 81C-04066
      DTC #8862
      Contact Tim Kane
      6245 Sheridan Drive Suite 300
      Williamsville, NY 14221
      716-635-4360
    • Morgan Stanley/Smith Barney
      Account Name - Nichols School
      Account # 828-119367-403
      DTC #0015
      Contact Chris Malof
      50 Fountain Plaza Suite 800
      Buffalo, NY 14202
      716-849-4800
    Please contact Austin Farber (716-332-5153; afarber@nicholsschool.org) advising of your stock gift. Follow-up by telephone, letter or email containing:

    a. Name of the stock and number of shares
    b. Your name, address, and phone number
    c. The purpose of the gift
    d. The date of the gift

    Mail to:
    Austin Farber
    Director of Advancement
    Nichols School
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216

    Your tax deduction is the mean price of the stock on the date of your transfer to Nichols' account.

    If the stock gift is in the form of a stock certificate registered in your name:
    Send the stock certificate(s) plus a signed stock power under separate cover to:

    Austin Farber
    Director of Advancement
    Nichols School
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216

    The donor's signature must be either notarized or guaranteed by a bank officer or stockbroker. Please mail the stock power and certificate under separate cover. In the case of loss or theft, the stock can be transferred only if the finder has both documents.

    You may send stock certificates directly to the school at the following address:

    Advancement Office
    Nichols School
    1250 Amherst St.
    Buffalo, NY 14216

    Securities may be endorsed in blank (the donor's signature only) and sent to the above address. If stock certificates are endorsed, please send a stock power to the school under separate cover on which only the signature has been filled in.

    If you have questions, please call the Advancement Office at 716-332-5151.
  • Planned Giving

    Nichols School thrives thanks to the generosity of our many strong supporters, including alumni, parents and friends who have made a profound impact on the school. Planned giving is an option which provides supporters with creative and flexible strategies for estate and charitable giving. Donors can choose from several strategies that provide them with income, reduce tax liability, and ultimately help ensure Nichols’ bright future.

    Each donor’s situation is unique, and one benefit of planned giving is the ability to structure a gift to meet the donor’s goals and objectives, often enabling a donor to make a gift they may have thought was beyond their means.

    We invite you to consider Nichols in your charitable planning process and to help us fulfill our mission. We welcome the opportunity to speak with potential donors without any obligation. Ultimately, we would like to work with you to facilitate giving that meets your personal and financial goals while maximizing the impact of gifts to sustain Nichols School for generations to come. All contacts and discussions are absolutely confidential and without cost or obligation of any kind.

    Please contact Leslie Garcia, Assistant Head of School for Advancement, at 716-332-5163 or lgarcia@nicholsschool.org with any questions regarding planned giving.
  • Gifts of Real Estate

    Gifts of Real Estate: Appreciated marketable real estate is another asset with which you may make a significant gift to Nichols School.

    Other Assets: Gifts to Nichols School can come in other forms as well. For example, you may wish to consider a gift of closely held stock, tangible personal property (if it is related to the school's educational programs) or irrevocable life insurance. A gift of any of these assets will entitle you to an income tax deduction equal to their fair market value of the date of the gift. You may take this deduction for up to thirty percent of your adjusted gross income with a carryover of any excess for up to five additional years. *Gifts that fall into this category must be reviewed by the school's Gift Acceptance Committee.

    If you would like more information regarding Gifts of Real Estate and Other Assets, please contact Austin Farber, Director of Advancement at 716-332-5153 or afarber@nicholsschool.org.
  • Matching Gifts

    Corporate matching gifts provide a wonderful opportunity to enhance your contribution to Nichols School. Please contact your company's personnel office for specific information about your employer's matching gift program. It is necessary in all cases for the donor to secure the proper forms from the corporation and to submit them to Nichols School in order for us to receive the matching gifts.

    If you would like more information regarding matching gifts, please contact Karen Reeves at 716-332-5159 or kreeves@nicholsschool.org.
Send your gift viaVenmoto @NicholsSchool


About Us

Nichols School is a nationally recognized college preparatory coed independent school with a 130-year history.