Want to make a difference in the lives of children? Have you remembered The Academy of the Sacred Heart in your will? Consider a planned gift to The Academy of the Sacred Heart.

Academy of the Sacred Heart has a long, faithful history of providing young girls spiritual and academic excellence since 1821. Whether supported through an outright gift or planned gift, the Academy of the Sacred Heart programs are made possible through the generosity and commitment of people like you. A planned gift helps the Academy of the Sacred Heart ensure its future - enabling the school to expand existing programs and create new programs. While vital for the Academy of the Sacred Heart, your gift can also help further your financial and charitable goal.

What are planned gifts?
Planned gifts include gifts through your will, charitable gift annuities, charitable trusts, gifts of life insurance, and gifts of retirement plans.

BEQUEST
How do I include A.S.H. in my will?

A will is perhaps the easiest and most effective means to ensure that you fully provide for your family and that your assets are distributed as you wish. Bequests both large and small have been important to A.S.H. since its founding. Many faithful friends have remembered A.S.H. in their will while still providing for their family. A bequest through your will also provides continuing support of the ongoing work of A.S.H.

If you choose to make a bequest to A.S.H., the following language will be helpful to you and your lawyer:

“I give, bequeath and devise _____________% of my estate [ or $_______] to The Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau.

There are three ways you can make a bequest:

Specific bequest You designate a specific dollar amount, specific percentage or specific property to A.S.H.

Residual Bequest -Your estate will pay all debts, taxes, expenses and specific bequests. The remaining amount –the residue--will be transferred to A.S.H.

Contingent Bequest -You can have A.S.H. receive all or a portion of your estate only under certain circumstances. For example, you can name A.S.H. as a beneficiary of your estate only if there are no surviving close family members.

A gift to A.S.H. through your will has several advantages:

-Charitable gifts made through your will are 100% deductible for estate tax purposes.

-A charitable bequest may place your estate in a lower tax bracket.

-You may specify that your bequest be used for general purposes of A.S.H. or for a particular program or ministry.

Once you notify A.S.H. of your bequest intention, you qualify for membership in our St. Philippine Duchesne Society (described below). When making a gift to A.S.H. through your will, please consult your legal and tax advisors.

Charitable Remainder Trusts
A trust is a legal agreement that specifies how the assets placed under the trust will be managed. The Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) is a wonderful way to achieve a variety of goals while providing income for life and knowing that after your lifetime, the property remaining in the trust will be used by A.S.H. as you specified. Essentially, there are two types of CRT’s - the unitrust and the annuity trust.

Unitrust income fluctuates annually with the fair market value of the trust.

Annuity Trust income payments are fixed and determined when the gift is made.

The advantages of a CRT are many. For example, you receive income for life, avoid capital gains tax if funded with appreciated securities, receive an immediate charitable income tax deduction, the possibility of reducing your estate tax, and the satisfaction of supporting A.S.H.

As with all planned gifts, please be sure to consult with your legal and tax advisors.

Gifts of Retirement Plans
Many A.S.H. friends today have large qualified retirement plans such as an IRA, 401(k), or Keough plan. These plans have been growing tax-free for several years, but once the owner begins to receive payments, the distributions are taxed. The plans are also included in the owner's taxable estate. Many friends of A.S.H. are now looking at these assets as a wonderful source of funds to make a gift.

Perhaps the most convenient way to make a gift is by simply changing the beneficiary designation to include the Academy. The gift will benefit A.S.H. free of probate. Another option is to create a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) through your will. Your IRA assets will be transferred to a CRT, and there is no tax due because the CRT is a tax-exempt entity. The trust will provide life income to a beneficiary (for example, your children) with the trust eventually passing to the Academy. Your estate will receive an estate tax deduction for the value of A.S.H.'s right to eventually receive the trust assets.

St. Philippine Duchesne Society
Planned giving is an excellent way to ensure the future of the Academy of the Sacred Heart for the generations to come. Any donor who leaves a planned gift to A.S.H. is included in the St. Philippine Duchesne Society.

Please contact the Development office for more information about membership in the St. Philippine Duchesne Society and the benefits of leaving a legacy to the Academy.

Have you remembered A.S.H. in you will? For a Planned Giving Information Kit, contact Renée Ory, Director of Development.

A.S.H.'s “Planned Giving Information Kit” is a packet of materials designed to help you make charitable gifts through your estate plan. Included in our packet is a letter from our Headmistress, a brochure on wills and basic estate planning; a brochure on how to make a charitable gift through your will; sample bequest language; information regarding A.S.H.'s St. Philippine Duchesne Society and basic information regarding the Academy's programs.

Who to Contact
Have you thought about including A.S.H. in your estate and financial plans? Perhaps a particular A.S.H. program or service has touched your heart in a special way. Maybe, you have questions regarding the many options available to you in making a gift. Or, perhaps you have already made a commitment to A.S.H. and wish to consider additional gifts. Please contact Renée Ory, Director of Development for additional information.

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