2026 New York State Charitable Tax Credit Program FAQs

2026 New York State Special Tax Credit

Support The City College of New York with a gift to the Research Foundation of CUNY

What is it?

A time-limited opportunity to make a donation for the benefit of The City College of New York and receive a tax benefit through the Research Foundation of CUNY New York State Charitable Tax Credit Program. There is a $10M cap on this CUNY-wide program and it is an extraordinary opportunity for alumni and friends to provide meaningful support to City College this year! 

For the sum of the qualified contributions in 2026, a donor will have the following tax benefits:

• NY State: 85% of the qualified contribution is a tax credit against NYS income tax and 15% of the qualified contribution can be a deduction against NYS income tax. A donor can get the benefit of both a deduction and credit on their NYS personal income tax return.
• Federal: 15% of the qualified contribution can be a deduction against federal income tax.

What are the important dates?

• Applications must be submitted online by September 30, 2026 to guarantee participation.
• If total applications received exceed $10 million, RFCUNY will prorate all requests.
  • For example, if donors submit a total of $20 million in applications, then every donor’s approved contribution amount will be reduced by 50%.
• All authorized donations must be received by November 30, 2026 to qualify.

How does it work?

• To participate with a gift in support of The City College of New York, please contact Dee Dee Mozeleski, Senior Vice President of the Office of Institutional Advancement, Communications & External Relations with your proposed gift amount, and our office will send you an online application from the RFCUNY. 
• Once the application has been submitted by the donor, we will issue an acknowledgment of application. After October 1, our office will send donors an authorization certificate that includes the authorized donation amount - which may be prorated - along with the payment instructions. Once the authorization certificate has been received, donors can make their donations.
• At the completion of the program, the RFCUNY will distribute the gifts received to the Foundation for City College in support of The City College of New York. 
• Donations qualifying under the NYS Charitable Tax Credit Program will be limited to a minimum of $10,000 and a maximum of $100,000 per donor/tax filing.

How can I make my donation?

• Cash: Wire transfer (only) payable to the Research Foundation of CUNY. 
• Combination of cash and stock is acceptable
• Stocks: evaluated value on the day of receipt is the actual donation amount. Stock orders must be placed by November 21, 2026. 
• Donations through family foundations, donor advised funds, S-corps, or corporations are not eligible for this tax credit program. Wire transfers and securities must come from a personal account.

Other important details:

• All donations are subject to a 2% administrative processing fee from the RF CUNY.
• No in-kind donations are accepted.
• You may, if desired, direct your gift to support the university’s greatest needs via The Fund for SUNY Empire, support an existing endowed fund, or create a new endowed fund.
• Only individuals are eligible to make donations: corporations, S-corps, family foundations, and donor-advised funds cannot participate.
• Statutory language of New York State Charitable Tax Credit for Higher Education and can be found within Chapter 59 of the laws of 2018, Part LL. (References Article 22 and Section 606 of NYS tax law).
• Credit card gifts are subject to an additional 3% fee and should be the last option for payment.
• To take full advantage of the tax credit, the donor should have a tax liability in NYS for at least the amount of the requested tax credit.

Questions about making a gift to City College? Please contact Dee Dee Mozeleski at [email protected] or 212.650.8208.