Giving
Making a difference in education together
Transforming Education
The UM School of Education is Mississippi’s leader in preparing the next generations of teachers, counselors, educational leaders, and higher education professionals. We cultivate tomorrow’s change-makers through a blend of academics, scholarship, experiential learning, and a commitment to fostering inclusive communities to transform education in Mississippi and beyond.
Gifts of all sizes are welcome in support of the UM School of Education. Learn more about ways to give, areas to support, and how gifts small and large make a difference.
Ways to Give
Support your favorite area(s) of the School of Education with a one-time or recurring gift
Please make checks payable to the UM Foundation and send by mail to:
The University of Mississippi Foundation
406 University Ave.
Oxford, MS 38655
Memo line: School of Education and reference the specific fund you wish to support
Current UM Employees can make tax-deductible charitable contributions to the School of Education directly from their paycheck by selecting “Payroll Deduction” on our online giving form
Payroll deduction can be changed or stopped at anytime by calling the UM Foundation at 1-800-340-9542.
Gifts to the SOE can be doubled or tripled through matching gift programs provided by more than 1,000 employers. To find out if your employer will double, or even triple your gift, go to our Employer Matching Gift Search Page.
Making a gift of appreciated stocks, bonds, mutual funds, or other securities is easy and may provide you with significant tax benefits while supporting the SOE. Learn more
Planned and Deferred Giving is a popular and tax-smart option for career educators to philanthropically support their alma mater. Options for deferred and planned giving to the SOE include bequests in wills or trusts, charitable gift annuities, IRA charitable rollovers, give it twice trusts, sale of property or business, and more.
Contact the SOE Development Office at soedev@olemiss.edu to explore options.
Any gift amount in memory or in honor can be made to an already-established fund at the School of Education. Make a gift in memory or in honor of someone meaningful you to.
Supporting the SOE through Honorary/Memorial Gifts
You may designate your gift of any size to a fund that is meaningful to you or the person you are honoring (including existing current-use and endowed funds). If you do not have a specific fund in mind, we suggest the SOE Annual Impact Fund which supports the most immediate needs of our students, faculty, and staff at the SOE.
You can also establish a named endowment in your loved one’s honor/memory to support student scholarships, faculty research, or permanent programmatic support. Endowments begin at $50,000 and provide annual returns in perpetuity, ensuring that your tribute gift will help our School of Education for generations to come.
To learn more about establishing a named endowment, please contact Kelly Smith Marion, director of development at ksmith13@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2007 or Jacob Ferguson, development associate at jacobf@olemiss.edu or 662-915-2836.
Obituary Language
Example wording for an obituary, which can be customized to one’s preference:
Memorial contributions may be made to the University of Mississippi School of Education. Please direct your gift to (existing fund) in memory of (loved one’s name). Gifts may be made online at umfoundation.com/education or by mail: Checks payable to the University of Mississippi Foundation, 406 University Ave., Oxford, MS 38655. Please write that the gift is in memory of [name] on the memo line.
Giving Thanks
Family members may request the names and mailing addresses of gifts made in memory of a loved one. Please contact the School of Education Development Office for details at soedev@olemiss.edu.
School of Education Funds
Billy Crews IMAGINE Award Endowment – A new award in Billy Crews’s honor recognizing SOE students whose work promotes inclusive, supportive, diverse and/or equitable environments in service to educational or community settings. Read more about Billy’s honor.
Tele-Mental Health Outreach Initiative Support Fund – Supports the work of our Clinic for Outreach and Personal Enrichment, which offers free tele-mental health counseling services to groups and individuals across the state of Mississippi.
Center for Math & Science Education (CMSE) Program Fund – Supports CMSE’s work promoting STEM education and activities to students and educators across Mississippi.
Immediate Need Scholarship Fund – Provides immediate aid assistance for students facing critical financial obstacles. Students can learn more about applying for immediate need aid here.
Student Teaching Fund – Supports students while student teaching and meets any critical needs that arise during this time. Learn more about the impact of the Student Teaching Fund.
SOE Scholarship Fund – Helps the SOE Scholarship Committee provide immediate support to students in need.
Transfer to Teach Endowment – Provides substantial scholarship aid for teacher candidates transferring from a Mississippi community college who, in exchange, commit to teach in Mississippi public schools for at least three years.
Education Equity Undergraduate Scholarship – Honors SOE students who demonstrate a commitment to racial equity in the classroom, contribute to the diversity of the SOE, and intend to teach in Mississippi public schools following graduation.
The School of Education offers various scholarships to students in specific programs or majors (Higher Education, special education, school counseling, etc.). If you’re interested in supporting an existing scholarship for a specific area, please contact us!
- Scholarship endowments can be created with a minimum gift of $50,000. Contact us to learn more about creating a scholarship at the SOE.
Teacher Education Department Fund – Provides flexible funding to meet needs and support students, faculty, and programs within the Department of Teacher Education.
Higher Education Department Fund – Provides flexible funding to meet needs and support students, faculty, and programs within the Department of Higher Education.
Leadership and Counselor Education Department Fund – Provides flexible funding to meet needs and support students, faculty, and programs within the Department of Leadership and Counselor Education.
Bridge Program for Students with Autism – Provides academic and social support for all UM students on the autism spectrum.
Comprehensive list of SOE DEI funds and program support – Explore funding opportunities for all programs related to diversity, equity, and inclusion at the SOE - such as the Mississippi Teacher Corps, the Education Equity Undergraduate Scholarship, the 21 United Scholarship, the Applied Behavioral Analysis Program, and many other funds and initiatives!
Willie Price Parents Club – Provides extra support for activities such as teacher appreciation, special events and projects, and other immediate needs.
Willie Price Support Fund – Provides program enhancement funds with priorities including playground equipment, technology investments, and STEM curriculum.