Gifts of cash may be made either outright or as a multi-year pledge. These gifts are fully deductible up to a maximum of 50% of the donor's adjusted gross income.

Real estate – residential property, vacation home, undeveloped land, or commercial buildings – may make an excellent gift, especially if the property is appreciated.  As with other assets held longer than one year, you receive a charitable income tax deduction for its appraised value and may avoid capital gains on the appreciation. Gifts of real estate require more pre-gift review than other gifts, which normally include a site visit, an environmental assessment, and a title report.

Donations of artwork, computers, books, equipment, and furniture can provide helpful additions to Episcopal Collegiate School. Before making a gift of tangible personal property, however, please consult the Advancement Office to confirm that your gift can be used as you wish, while also meeting Episcopal Collegiate School's needs.

Donors may name Episcopal Collegiate School as a beneficiary and owner of life insurance policies. A donor may have purchased insurance in previous years for a purpose that no longer exists or is fulfilled through some other means. The donor is allowed an income tax deduction for the cost of premiums in the contract plus any future premiums paid by the donor.

A gift through one's will is perhaps the most popular form of a planned gift. Such gifts may enable a donor to make a significant contribution to Episcopal Collegiate School that was not possible during his or her lifetime. A bequest to the School can be included in the body of a will or in an addition (a codicil). As with lifetime gifts, a bequest may be unrestricted, providing Episcopal Collegiate School with the flexibility to meet its needs as they arise, or a specific gift may be designated for the use of your bequest. Testamentary gifts to Episcopal Collegiate School are typically deductible for estate tax purposes and may be made in several ways.

You may stipulate that a certain percentage of your estate, or a certain dollar amount, or particular securities, or other assets be given to Episcopal Collegiate School.

You may state that a portion of your estate be given to Episcopal Collegiate School after specific amounts are distributed to other beneficiaries.

You may establish a unitrust or annuity trust for the benefit of specific beneficiaries through your will. The trust principal is transferred to Episcopal Collegiate School only after the death of the last trust beneficiary.

Trusts may be designed to provide income to Episcopal Collegiate School for a period of years, and then the assets (which may have appreciated) are returned to the donors or their heirs. Known as "lead trusts," they provide an excellent opportunity to support the school significantly while assuring continued family control of the assets in a tax-considered manner.

Trusts of this type may be used to increase donor cash flow from highly appreciated and low dividend securities. The donor receives an agreed upon amount or percentage from the fund in income for his life or for the life of his spouse. Thereafter, the principal passes to the school.

Another vehicle that keeps property in the family is a lead trust, whereby you make a gift of income to Episcopal Collegiate School for a term of years. After the term is over, the principal may be passed on to your children or your estate.

Lead trusts can provide a means of directing assets to children or other heirs in a cost-effective way. Lead trusts do have a number of income and gift tax consequences, however, which should be considered before making a gift.