FAQs

What is The Fund for Oswego?
Where does the money go?
Whom does the Telefund contact? ​
Why was I called twice?
I'm on the Federal Do Not Call List. Why is the Telefund calling me?
Where is the Telefund office located?
Are Telefund callers really students at the college?
When does the Telefund make calls?
Is my gift tax-deductible?
Does the Telefund accept credit cards?
May I choose where I want my gift to go? Will my company match my gift?
How can I make a gift over the phone?
Can my son or daughter apply to work for the Telefund?

​What is The Fund for Oswego?
The Fund for Oswego is a program established by the Oswego College Foundation, Inc. to receive and manage annual gifts needed to offset expenses and programs that state support and tuition alone can't cover.  The Fund for Oswego represents the base of support for the operation of the Foundation and programs for the college, and is defined as unrestricted gifts and gifts for program support of $25,000 or less.

​Where does the money go?
To support academic programs, scholarships, library resources, building renovations, computer upgrades, program enhancements and research, all of which directly benefit the students and faculty on the Oswego campus. 

​Whom does the Telefund contact?
The Telefund calls alumni, friends, parents of current and former undergraduates, retirees, faculty and staff, and the senior class.

​Why was I called twice?
Typically you should only receive one call from the Telefund.  Occasionally, you will receive a second call if according to our records, both you and your spouse or significant other are alumni; if you are a parent of a current or former student and an alumni; or if your child is a graduate of SUNY Oswego and still living at home.

​I'm on the Federal Do Not Call List. Why is the Telefund calling me?
The Telefund is a program of the Oswego College Foundation, Inc., a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization.  All charitable and non-profit organizations are exempt from the National Do Not Call Registry.  We hope that you will be open to calls from Oswego, since the calls serve to benefit not only the students, but also keep you connected with what's happening on campus as well as alumni events across the nation.

​Where is the Telefund located?
The Telefund office is located right on campus at 324 Sheldon Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY 13126.  For more questions please contact us at 315-312-3003.

​Are the Telefund callers really students at Oswego?
Yes.  We employ 40 to 50 students throughout the year who represent a variety of majors, cities and states.

​When does the Telefund make calls? 
Our normal hours of operation are during fall and spring semesters, Monday-Thursday 6-9 p.m., and Sunday 2-5 p.m. and 6-9 p.m.

​Is my gift tax-deductible?
Yes, The Oswego College Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. 

​Does the Telefund accept credit cards?
Yes, we encourage you to make your gift using your VISA, MasterCard, Discover or American Express card when on the phone with a Telefund caller.  This is a secure way to make sure your gift benefits Oswego students right away and helps us save paper and postage costs.  You may also fulfill your gift online by using your credit card.   (All information is secure)

​May I choose where I want my gift to go
Yes.  While unrestricted funds are always needed to support a wide variety of programs at Oswego, many donors choose to designate their gifts to specific departments, schools, scholarship funds or other academic programs at Oswego.

​How do you make a gift over the phone?
It's easy!  Simply tell the student how much you would like to donate and then give the student your credit card information.  You will receive a receipt for tax purposes.  If you would rather pay by check we will send you a pledge card for the amount specified over the phone.  It's that simple!

​Can my son or daughter apply to work for the Telefund?
Absolutely.  If your son or daughter is a full-time student at SUNY Oswego they can fill out our application.