I hope this message finds you well and excited for the upcoming holiday season! As we head into this busy time of year, we’d like to remind you of a few key dates and procedures to ensure smooth operations.
1. DRFs (Disbursement Request Forms)
Last check run for 2025: Monday, December 22, 2025.
Deadline for e-DRFs: Wednesday, December 17, 2025, by the close of business. Any forms received after this date will be processed in the first check run of January 2026, scheduled for January 12, 2026.
Reminder: We will post this notification to Freshdesk and our website.
2. Year-End Gifts
Checks with postmark before December 31, 2025: Will be receipted as 2025 for tax purposes, as long as they are received by USMF before January 16, 2026.
Checks not deposited by December 31, 2025: Will not be included in December’s market values.
Important: Please do not hold on to checks. Holding checks causes delays in processing and stewardship efforts. We have received significant backlogs in prior years, and this can impact timely receipts and donor recognition.
Check deposits: The last deposit for 2025 will occur on December 30, 2025. The first deposit for 2026 will be on January 2, 2026.
Recommended shipping method: To ensure timely receipt, we strongly encourage using UPS/FedEx with tracking, especially during the holiday season.
3. Mail Handling
Office closure: The USMF Office will be closed the week of December 24, 2025, through January 1, 2026.
Check drop-off: Donna will be available at the Elkins Building on December 30, 2025, from 10am to Noon for anyone wishing to drop off checks. Please contact her at dmckenzie@usmd.edu to coordinate a drop-off time.
4. Key Dates
Wednesday, December 17, 2025: Last day to submit electronic DRFs.
Monday, December 22, 2025: Last check run for 2025.
Tuesday, December 30, 2025: Mailroom pickup and check drop-off availability; last day for check deposits in 2025
Friday, January 2, 2026: First check deposit for 2026.
Friday, January 16, 2026: Last day for checks to be counted in 2025 tax reporting.
Please ensure this information is discussed with your teams and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We are happy to help!
Dawn James
Dear Team,
I hope this message finds you well and excited for the upcoming holiday season! As we head into this busy time of year, we’d like to remind you of a few key dates and procedures to ensure smooth operations.
1. DRFs (Disbursement Request Forms)
2. Year-End Gifts
3. Mail Handling
4. Key Dates
Please ensure this information is discussed with your teams and feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We are happy to help!