Unrestricted Gifts

Unrestricted gifts allow Van Andel Institute (VAI) to determine where your dollars go depending on where funding is most needed at the time. 100% of your gift will always go directly to research and/or education programs. Giving an unrestricted gift means that your dollars could support a variety of these programs, including:

• Basic molecular cancer research that also branches out into other diseases such as parkinson disease, diabetes, osteoporosis, and cardiovascular disease. Our researchers are finding out what happens in cells to cause disease, and what ideal targets for therapy are.
• A Parkinson Research Lab to open in 2010 that will be housed in the Institute's Phase II building expansion.
• The Compassionate Care Protocol, a study undertaken with several clinical partners to collect detailed molecular data from the tumors of advanced-stage cancer patients. Using a database developed by Dr. Craig Webb's laboratory, researchers analyze the data to help determine which unique combination of drugs will have the greatest impact each individual. Although currently used for patients whose cancer has progressed beyond standard treatment options, many believe that this “personalized medicine” is the future of medicine.
• Science Academy programs that inspire elementary and middle school students to pursue careers in science, help teachers to sustain that initial spark through professional development, and involve the adults in students' lives.
• Van Andel Institute Graduate School, offering Ph.D. programs for careers in biomedical disease research and a unique hands-on curriculum that allows students to pursue current research questions in the laboratory.

Ready to Make an Unrestricted Gift?

There are several types of gifts to choose from. You can also check with your employer to see if they will match your gift.

• General Gift - make a gift for a specific amount right now, either online, over the phone, or via fax or mail (make a general gift online; download printable form)
• Memorial Gift - make a gift in memory of someone special to you that has passed away; if you choose, a special card can be sent to the family of the honored individual letting them know of your gift (make a memorial gift online; download printable form)
• Tribute Gift - give a gift to VAI to celebrate births and birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, weddings, and other special occasions; a special card can be sent to the honored individual(s) to let them know of your gift (make a tribute gift online; download printable form)
• Gifts of Securities / Stock - eliminates capital gains tax and allows you to claim an income-tax deduction on the market value of the stock on the date of ownership transfer
• Planned Giving - help build a legacy without affecting your cash flow today; gifts can include bequests, charitable remainder trusts, charitable gift annuities, charitable lead trusts, IRA's or other retirement plan assets, and life insurance (more information)

Please call 616-234-5681 to discuss any of these options.