There are many ways to support the university while also contributing to your own personal and financial goals.   Outright gifts to NIU, such as cash, stock, and property, can lower your tax liability. They allow the university to put your philanthropy to work immediately in an area of special interest to you. Deferred gifts benefit Northern in the future. Such gifts can substantially lower income taxes and estate taxes.   You can designate your gift to benefit one or more areas of your choosing, or make an unrestricted gift, so the funds will be used where the need is greatest.   Click on any of the topics on the left to find out more about the different ways to give to Northern Illinois University, or click here to make a gift now.   For more information on how to make a gift, contact John Bass, Director of Gift and Estate Planning, at (815) 753-1859 or e-mail jbass@niu.edu.