Consider Leaving a Gift of Legacy to Country Day!

Gifts through the estate plans of individuals are welcome and encouraged. A number of gift planning vehicles exist to meeting your charitable and estate planning needs. When considering a planned gift, always consult with your financial, tax and/or legal advisors. You may wish to consider one of the following options:

List of 6 items.

  • Bequests

    One of the simplest and easiest ways to remember Country Day in your will is through a bequest. You may leave a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or a residual portion of your estate. For sample bequest language to share with your attorney, please contact the Development Office.
  • Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets

    Some of the most advantageous gifts from a tax standpoint are gifts of retirement plan assets. You may consider naming the Foundation as a beneficiary of your IRA, 401(k), or other retirement account.
  • Gifts of Life Insurance

    A donor can name Country Day as the primary beneficiary of a life insurance policy. The donor retains ownership of the policy and has access to the policy's cash value. Although the face value of the policy will be includible in the donor's gross estate, no federal estate-tax liability will result from the inclusion of the policy because of the charitable deduction.
     
    A donor can also name Country Day as a successor beneficiary to receive the proceeds in the event the primary beneficiaries are no longer living. Should the proceeds be paid to Country Day, the donor's estate will be allowed an estate-tax charitable deduction.
     
    A donor who wishes to take advantage of more immediate tax benefits may wish to consider the irrevocable assignment of an insurance policy to Country Day. Upon such an arrangement, the donor is allowed an immediate federal income tax charitable deduction for the lesser of the policy's fair market value or the net premiums paid.
  • Charitable Remainder Trusts

    Charitable Remainder Trusts have become increasingly popular giving tools over the past few years. Two basic types of charitable remainder trusts are defined in the Internal Revenue Code: the charitable remainder unitrust and the charitable remainder annuity trust.
     
    There are several tax advantages that result from the creation of a charitable remainder trust. The donor is eligible for an income and gift tax charitable deduction equal to the present value of Country Day's remainder interest. If a charitable remainder trust is included in a donor's estate, the donor is eligible for an estate tax deduction equal to the value of the remainder interest on the date of death or the alternative valuation date.
     
    Since a unitrust or annuity trust is retained for the donor's or others' benefit, the donor cannot deduct the entire amount donated to the trust. The deduction is equal to the actuarial value of the remainder interest and is affected by many factors, including the age of the beneficiaries, the number of beneficiaries, the payout to the beneficiaries, the monthly IRS discount rate, and the frequency of payments.
     
    Capital gain is not realized by a donor when appreciated assets are donated to a charitable remainder trust. Since a charitable remainder trust is a tax-exempt entity, the trustee can sell the assets donated to the trust free of tax on capital gain. The entire amount of the net proceeds is, therefore, available to the trustee for reinvestment.
  • Charitable Lead Trusts

    A charitable lead trust is the reverse of a charitable remainder trust in that it provides for a gift of payments from property to Country Day for a term of years after which the property either reverts to the donor or passes to a non-charitable beneficiary designated by the donor.
  • The Maecenas Society

    The Roman statesman Maecenas was a friend of Augustus and a patron of Horace and Virgil. Because he encouraged and assisted poets and artists, his name has long been associated with generous support of the arts and letters.

    The Maecenas Society at Country Day recognizes those individuals who inform the school that they intend to remember Country Day in their estate plans. If you have remembered Metairie Park Country Day School in your estate plans, you are eligible to become a member of the Maecaenas Society. For additional information on how you can make a planned gift and join the Maecaenas Society, please contact Lori Gordillo, Director of Development, at (504) 849-3110 or lori_gordillo@mpcds.com.
Country Day has taught me to balance school with life, without ruining one or the other.

--Student