Gift Planning
Since the 1700’s, independent schools have provided the finest education for American families. In some cases, the tax law actually encourages donors to create charitable gifts which benefit both the school and enables you, the donor, to leverage your gift in a very dramatic way.
We often receive questions from prospective donors about how gifts can be made, and at times they want to know if the school accepts gifts other than cash or a check. Generally, our answer is that what’s good for you, the donor, is good for the school! That’s why we will consider accepting any legal gift which conforms to the mission and goals of our school.
Ways to Give
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Credit Card and Online Gifts
Whether you are making a Campaign for Lausanne pledge payment or a gift to the Lausanne Annual Fund, the school accepts gifts charged to MasterCard or Visa as a convenience to our donors. You can also use your MasterCard or Visa to make a gift online.
The Lausanne Annual Fund campaign runs from June 1 to May 31. You can make a pledge now and agree to pay it before the deadline of May 31. For your convenience, we will invoice you monthly until your pledge is settled. For a printable version of our Pledge Card, click here.
Campaign for Lausanne pledges will be billed quarterly on March 1, June 1, September 1 and December 1. Questions about pledges should be directed to the Advancement Office.
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Appreciated Securities (Gifts of Stock)
Making your gift by donating stock to the school can result in significant tax savings: 1) you can avoid paying capital gains on the appreciated value of the stock if held longer than one year; and 2) you can receive a charitable deduction for the full fair market value of the stock when the gift is made. Please call the Advancement Office at Lausanne Collegiate School at 901.474.1026 for information about making a stock transfer or delivering an original stock certificate.
Imagine your employer doubling or even tripling the amount of your gift! Many companies have matching gift programs and will match charitable contributions given by their employees. Some will even match gifts made by retirees and spouses.
Lausanne welcomes donations such as computers, software, office furniture, classroom supplies, landscape material, library books, athletic equipment, tickets to cultural events, artwork, and various other items related to the educational program. The Advancement Office will be happy to help you determine if your gift would be appropriate for the school.
A bequest is a simple yet deeply meaningful way to make a gift to Lausanne. Made as a part of your will, you can make it for a specific amount or as a percentage of your estate and you can designate it for a particular purpose at the school. The advantage of making a gift through a bequest is that gift and estate taxes are reduced or avoided.
The contribution of a life insurance policy can provide a significant gift in a manner that can be especially attractive to younger donors. By designating the School as both the owner and beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the premiums or the value of the policy at the time of donation may be tax-deductible to the donor.
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Charitable Gift Annuities
Charitable Gift Annuities are a simple way to give money to the school, receive a guaranteed income for life and take an immediate tax deduction.
Like Gift Annuities, an easily established charitable trust can provide a current charitable deduction for you in addition to income for you and/or the School during your lifetime. Trusts can be especially appealing because they have the potential to increase in value over time for both the donor and the charitable beneficiary.
For further information about these and other ways to donate to Lausanne Collegiate School, contact Michael Christopher, Assistant Headmaster - School Advancement, at 901.474.1045 or email mchristopher@lausanneschool.com.
