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Planned Giving

The Willow Tree Society

The Willow Tree Society is an association of alumni, faculty, friends, parents, grandparents and Teacher Training Course graduates who have included Shady Hill School in their estate plans.

Planned gifts offer significant benefits to a donor. Income tax savings, capital gains tax savings, estate and gift tax savings, a lifetime income stream and property maintenance relief are just some of the possible benefits. Planned giving options at Shady Hill include:
  • Bequests
  • Charitable gift annuities
  • Charitable remainder trusts
  • Gifts of real estate
  • Gifts of life insurance
Willow Tree Society members take immense satisfaction in creating a legacy aligned with their values. Their love of Shady Hill lives on forever through their planned gift. 

Planned Giving Options

List of 6 items.

  • + Bequests

    Bequests are perhaps the best-known and most widely understood planned gift arrangement. A gift done through one's will is a classic way to express one's dedication to Shady Hill School. Such a gift is simple to arrange, satisfying to complete and beneficial to Shady Hill. 

    Types of Bequests
    Unrestricted: used for general purposes, this type of bequest is especially appreciated because it can be put to immediate use in the areas of greatest need at the school.
    • Restricted: a bequest that instructs Shady Hill School to use the gift in a specific manner.

    Both restricted and unrestricted bequests are made in the following ways:
    Specific Bequest: a specific asset or collection of assets in the form of cash, securities, or other property. You may designate an amount or a percentage of the property.
    Residuary Bequest: all or a percentage of what remains of your estate after all specific legacies have been satisfied and debts and expenses have been paid.
    Contingent Bequest: all or a portion of your estate in the event that a named beneficiary is not alive when you die. This type of bequest can avoid costly litigation or prevent property from reverting to the state for lack of heirs.

    Testamentary Charitable Remainder Trust Assets placed in trust with the income paid to one or more beneficiaries for their lifetimes. Upon the demise of the last income beneficiary or after a term of a specified number of years, the trust assets are transferred to Shady Hill School.

    View examples of bequest language to share with your attorney.
  • + Charitable Gift Annuities

    Shady Hill School and the charitable gift annuity offer you a pragmatic way to make a charitable gift, enjoy income for life, realize tax savings, and experience the joy and satisfaction of sustaining Shady Hill's future success.

    What is a charitable gift annuity?
    A charitable gift annuity is a simple contract between a donor and Shady Hill School. Donors make an irrevocable gift of cash, stock or other assets to the school and Shady Hill agrees to pay one or two people a guaranteed, fixed annual income for the rest of their lives, in the form of quarterly checks.

    How is the annuity amount determined?
    Your rate is determined by your age at the time that the gift is made. Older annuitants receive higher rates. Shady Hill follows the rates set by the American Council on Gift Annuities.

    What is the minimum gift amount?
    The minimum gift amount to establish a charitable gift annuity is $10,000.

    Are the gift annuity payments guaranteed?
    Yes. The assets of Shady Hill School guarantee your gift. As of March 2018, Shady Hill School's endowment had a value of approximately $54.3 million.

    Are annuity payments taxable income?
    Part of each annuity payment is tax-free and part of it is ordinary taxable income. Gifts of appreciated assets will see a portion of the gain taxed over the course of the annuity. Shady Hill will provide you with more information should you be interested.

    Are charitable gift annuities tax deductible?
    The IRS allows donors to deduct a portion of the gifted amount; most deductions range from 30-40% of the gift. US Treasury tables set the deduction, based on the annuitant's age, the annuity rate, and the date of the gift.

    When do annuity payments begin?
    Payments begin immediately or may be deferred until a future date. Deferred annuities offer a higher rate - often much higher than a current rate - but still generate a current income tax deduction. In addition, deferred annuities allow donors to align the start of an annuity with a future date, usually a retirement date.

    What will my gift support?
    Charitable gift annuities support the mission of Shady Hill. Unrestricted gifts are always welcome, as are gifts designated for specific purposes. For instance, you may designate your gift to the Teacher Training Course, campus renovations, or faculty professional development or it could add to the school's general endowment. 

    Where do I call or e-mail for more information?
    Contact the Advancement Office at 617-520-5225.
  • + Charitable Remainder Trusts

    Charitable remainder trusts are important gift planning vehicles. They provide substantial financial and tax benefits for the donor at the time the trust is created. They generate a lifetime stream of income to the donor (or a spouse or other beneficiary named by the donor), and ultimately, what remains becomes a gift to Shady Hill School at the end of the beneficiary's lifetime.

    The minimum gift to establish such a trust is $100,000. Establishing the trust is a collaboration between the donor, the donor’s attorney, and Shady Hill School.

    If you have questions about this, please contact the Advancement Office at 617-520-5225.
  • + Gifts of Real Estate

    A primary or vacation residence or other property may be used to fund a charitable gift. Donors may choose to continue to live in a house or to give a home outright. Investment property may be gifted as well. Depending on the arrangements, such a gift may generate a lifetime income stream, a generous gift to Shady Hill and a favorable tax situation. 

    If you have questions about this or would like to discuss this with a member of our staff, please contact Betsy Ginsberg, Director of Development, at 617-520-5225.
  • + Gifts of Life Insurance

    Many people own outdated or unneeded life insurance policies. One’s circumstances may change: children leave home, a couple moves to a smaller home, or an individual receives an inheritance. Consider donating an unneeded insurance policy to Shady Hill School and receive a charitable tax deduction while you are making a special gift. 

    If you have questions about this or would like to discuss this with a member of our staff, please contact Betsy Ginsberg, Director of Development at 617-520-5225.
  • + IRA Direct Giving

    This option is available to those aged 70.5 and older. Gifts made directly from your IRA can count toward your required minimum distribution, and such funds stay out of your taxable income, provided you have the funds sent directly to Shady Hill School, rather than to you first. Ask your IRA administrator for the "Qualified Charitable Distribution" forms. 

    If prompted for Shady Hill's tax ID number, it is: 042 103 628.

    If you have questions about this or would like to discuss this with a member of our staff, please contact Betsy Ginsberg, Director of Development at 617-520-5225.
617.520.5260      178 Coolidge Hill  Cambridge MA 02138           Association of Independent Schools in New England