The Robert B. Smith Academic Support Endowment will honor the distinguished career of Robert B. Smith, PhD, distinguished professor emeritus in the Department of Geology and Geophysics at the University of Utah. This dedicated fund will provide crucial support to students, primarily graduate students pursuing degrees in geophysics who demonstrate academic excellence and a commitment to the field. Through generous donor support, the department is thrilled to recognize the contributions of Dr. Smith through this endowment in his name.
Dr. Smith built a distinguished career in geophysics and conducted pioneering investigations of the Yellowstone hotspot, the Basin-Range Province, Wasatch Front, Swiss-French-Italian Alps, and the Mediterranean, followed by national evaluations of earthquake and volcano hazard of nuclear facilities. A devoted educator, Dr. Smith has supervised 69 graduate students, 17 postdoctoral students, and eight senior student theses. In addition, he and his colleagues’ research has resulted in more than 200 scientific papers and hundreds of presentations at scientific meetings worldwide.
Our goal is to raise $50,000 to permanently endow this fund. If the campaign reaches at least $25,000 in contributions before November 15, 2027, the perpetual endowment will be established as described. However, if the campaign does not reach this threshold, the funds will be used for the same purpose until exhausted. In this event, the word “endowed” will be omitted from the name of the fund.
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Make a secure gift online
The fastest way to give to the University of Utah is to make a secure gift on this site to the area of your choice.
It’s easy, fast, and secure. And with hundreds of opportunities to choose from, you can be sure your gift will go to the place you want to have the most impact.
Give by Mail
University of Utah Office of Advancement
P.O. Box 58006
Salt Lake City, UT 84158
Checks should be made out to “The University of Utah.”
Please include a note telling us how you would like your gift to be used.
When making a donation via check, it’s essential to provide clear information to ensure your contribution is directed to the intended cause.
In the memo line of your check, specify the program or fund you wish to support, such as “Department of Philosophy” or “Whisner / Appleby Scholarship Endowment in Philosophy.” This detail helps our gift processors accurately allocate your donation, streamlining their efforts to make an impact. Additionally, if you have any special instructions or preferences regarding the use of your gift, consider including those in a separate note or cover letter.
This clarity not only aids in effective fund management but also enhances the overall transparency and efficiency of the giving process.
Give over the phone
801-581-3720
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Give through a Donor-Advised Fund
A Donor-Advised Fund offers the opportunity to create an easy-to-establish, low cost, flexible vehicle for charitable giving as an alternative to direct giving or to creating a private foundation. This is accomplished by first establishing a DAF with an irrevocable donation to a public charity that sponsors a DAF program. The donor then recommends the allocation of the donated assets to a qualified public charity (such as the University of Utah).
For more information about Donor-Advised Funds, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
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To recommend a gift from a Fidelity Charitable or Schwab Charitable Donor-Advised Fund, click the button below.
Matching Gifts
With matching gifts, you may sometimes double or even triple your gift. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees.
Please note that some companies match gifts made by retirees and/or spouses.
For more information about matching gifts, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm MST/MDT
With matching gifts, you may sometimes double or even triple your gift. Many employers sponsor matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions made by their employees. Type the name of your company below to see if it has a matching gift program.
Give Securities
Gifts of securities, including closely held stock and mutual funds, may be donated to the university directly from your brokerage account to the University of Utah’s account, or by transferring stock power to the university.
For more information about donating securities, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm MST/MDT
Cryptocurrency
The University of Utah is unable to accept cryptocurrency at this time. If you are interested in making a gift using cryptocurrency, you may consider working with a Donor-Advised Fund. A Donor-Advised Fund may accept gifts of cryptocurrency and in turn allow donors to recommend the allocation of donated assets to the qualified public charity (such as the University of Utah).
For more information about Cryptocurrency, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
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Legacy Giving
Making a legacy gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for the University of Utah and its mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals.
With smart planning, you may actually increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful contribution to the University of Utah.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with various gift options by exploring Types of Legacy Gifts and Assets to Give. Then compare gift options and/or calculate how these gifts could work for you. And of course, please contact us here for assistance or to discuss your personal situation and objectives.
Donor-Advised Fund
A Donor-Advised Fund offers the opportunity to create an easy-to-establish, low cost, flexible vehicle for charitable giving as an alternative to direct giving or to creating a private foundation. This is accomplished by first establishing a DAF with an irrevocable donation to a public charity that sponsors a DAF program. The donor then recommends the allocation of the donated assets to a qualified public charity (such as the University of Utah).
For more information about Donor-Advised Funds, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm MST/MDT
To recommend a gift from a Fidelity Charitable or Schwab Charitable Donor-Advised Fund, click the button below.
Securities
Gifts of securities, including closely held stock and mutual funds, may be donated to the university directly from your brokerage account to the University of Utah’s account, or by transferring stock power to the university.
For more information about donating securities, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm MST/MDT
Payroll Deduction
University of Utah staff and faculty can give to University programs through payroll deduction. Payroll deductions may be set up or modified online any time of day.
For more information about payroll deduction, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
8 am–5 pm MST/MDT
In Honor of a Loved One
Honor a friend or loved one by making a contribution in their honor. Honorees or their families will be notified of your donation to their favorite U program.
For more information about making a contribution in honor of a loved one, please contact the Gift Processing Team:
801-581-3720
Toll-Free: 800-716-0377
Email
Office Hours
Monday–Friday
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Corporate & Foundation Giving
The University of Utah Office of Corporate and Foundation Relations plays a major role in supporting the institution’s mission of teaching, research, and public service. Working closely with the various campus areas, we help initiate and cultivate relationships between the University and private organizations to support U programs.
Legacy Giving
Making a legacy gift is a wonderful way to show your support and appreciation for the University of Utah and its mission while accommodating your own personal, financial, estate-planning, and philanthropic goals.
With smart planning, you may actually increase the size of your estate and/or reduce the tax burden on your heirs. Just as important, you will know that you have made a meaningful contribution to the University of Utah.
We recommend that you familiarize yourself with various gift options by exploring Types of Legacy Gifts and Assets to Give. Then compare gift options and/or calculate how these gifts could work for you. And of course, please contact us for assistance or to discuss your personal situation and objectives.