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Q
What is endowment?
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A
Endowment is an independent school’s savings account. Annual distributions from the endowment pay for the expenses not covered by tuition, the Annual Fund, or other income. Endowment provides additional permanent annual resources to maintain and improve the quality of education we provide our students. It also protects the school’s future financial well-being.
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Q
What are the advantages of building the Stuart Endowment Fund?
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A
Endowment provides a reliable source of income in perpetuity since Stuart can count on annual distributions to help support the ongoing work of the school. A strong endowment also helps increase stability and prestige by reinforcing Stuart long-term stability and fiscal responsibility. Endowment helps relieve pressure from the Annual Fund by providing annual support for the school’s operating budget.
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Q
How can I create an endowment at the school?
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A
Any gift, in any amount, may be made to the general endowment or an already established, restricted endowment. These gifts may be made in "memory of" or in "honor of" a person or persons.
A gift of $50,000 or more may be named in honor of a person or persons in perpetuity.
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Q
How are endowment gifts acknowledged?
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A
All gifts to endowment are acknowledged in Stuart's Annual Report. Named endowment gifts of $50,000 or more are listed in all subsequent reports.
It is the school’s policy that no endowment is named or published in the Stuart Annual Report until the entire gift amount has been received by the school.
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Q
How are endowments used?
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A
Stuart’s endowment supports general operating expenses of the school.
Generous Stuart alumnae, parents, and friends have established endowed funds at the school. These funds support the people, programs, and infrastructure that make possible an outstanding educational experience. These funds are held in perpetuity, assuring the donors that their vision will continue to make a difference in the lives of motivated young people at Stuart.
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Q
What may I give to the endowment fund?
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A
Gifts of all sizes are welcome. Examples of outright and planned gifts include:
Outright gifts |
Planned (deferred) gifts |
Cash |
Bequests |
Publicly traded securities |
Revocable living & charitable trusts |
Closely held securities |
Life estate gifts |
Real estate |
Life insurance |
Other property |
Gift annuities |
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Q
May I specify the use of my gift?
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A
Some gifts are given for a particular purpose. Undesignated gifts are especially welcome because they provide flexibility for meeting unforeseen needs and capitalizing on unexpected opportunities.
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Q
How can I give to the endowment?
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A
- Write a check to the endowment.
- Make a bequest in your will or living trust.
- Assign title to real estate to the endowment.
- Name the endowment as a beneficiary of your life insurance.
- Establish a charitable remainder trust or other plan with lifetime income.
The tax laws make philanthropy an attractive option. In some cases, for example, a gift to Stuart now can increase current income. Charitable bequests at the time of death can reduce estate taxes. Attorneys and financial professionals can help you sort out these issues.
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Q
How does Stuart decide to allocate endowment income?
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A
Endowments are crucial elements in a school's financial plan for serving present and future generations of students and supporting faculty needs and goals. Stuart, like comparable institutions, balances the need to pay for today’s programs with the need for appreciation in the fund’s principal value, which protects and enhances the fund’s future purchasing power.
Donors sometimes determine what an endowment fund will support, and as a result, endowments support diverse Stuart activities.
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Q
What type of asset can I give to the endowment?
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A
The school can accept cash, appreciated securities, and, subject to the Board of Trustees approval, real estate. Almost any asset that can be converted to cash can be donated for the endowment.
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Q
How do I transfer stocks or bonds to the endowment?
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A
A local brokerage firm will accept gifts of securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, and certificates of deposit) on behalf of Stuart. You or your own broker may contact our brokerage firm directly to make the arrangement. In addition, please notify the school, dminusvincent@stuartschool.org when you give a gift of securities.
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Q
Is it possible to make a gift to the endowment and then have the school pay me a specific rate of income for a period of time or the rest of my life?
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A
Although this type of gift is subject to IRS restrictions, in general, the answer is “yes.” If you make a life income gift, you receive the income (or a specified rate of income) for your lifetime or until the death of you and your spouse.
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Q
Can I escape high income and estate taxes on the benefits from a large IRA, rollover IRA, or pension/profit-sharing plan after my spouse and I have died?
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A
<p.Yes. Those taxes take a big bite because they are usually levied twice upon your death. First, the benefits are taxed at ordinary income rates, which can soar to nearly 40 percent. If your taxable estate is more than the statutory exclusion -- $675,000 in 2000, automatically increasing between now and 2006 to $1 million -- the estate tax rate will take 18-55 percent of the remainder.
Estate planners advise against leaving an IRA to an individual because two-thirds will go to taxes. Many donors instead choose to leave the balance of tax-deferred IRAs and other plans to charitable organizations since the total amount will go to charity.
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Q
Will school representatives help me devise a gift and estate plan without obligating me to start giving right away?
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A
Yes. You should also consult your tax advisor, however, who knows the tax ramifications of your particular circumstances.
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Q
If I make a gift to the endowment, will my employer match it?
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A
Check with your company to see if it has a matching program.
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Q
How can I establish a named family fund?
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A
A gift to the endowment of $50,000 or more allows you to establish a named family fund at Stuart Country Day School.
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Q
Will my family name be recognized after my lifetime?
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A
Yes. You are establishing a permanent fund, and recognition will continue from generation to generation in Stuart publications.