Planned Giving
Building a Stronger Community Through Education: The Power of Planned Giving
When you invest in education, you invest in the future—not only of our students, but of our entire community. By supporting the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation through planned giving, you’re creating lasting opportunities for the bright minds in our school district, ensuring they have the tools and resources to succeed. Your generosity helps support our dedicated teachers, who shape the leaders of tomorrow, and it strengthens our public schools, keeping them vibrant and thriving for generations to come. Whether through a bequest in your will, a gift of life insurance, stocks, real estate, retirement assets, or a charitable trust, your contribution leaves an enduring legacy. Together, we can continue to nurture the potential of every student and build a brighter future for all.
WAYS TO MAKE A PLANNED GIFT
1. Bequest through Will or Living Trust
Bequests are provisions in estate planning to leave a gift to a charity. Bequests can significantly reduce estate taxes. Bequests may be listed as a specific gift of cash, securities, real estate, other property or a percentage of the total estate. Please click here for a sample bequest wording that you may wish to share with your attorney.
2. Gift of Life Insurance
Donors may choose to transfer ownership of a policy that has outlived its original purpose for the donor or they may leave all or a portion of the proceeds of a new or existing policy when they name the Foundation as a beneficiary. Another way to incorporate current giving with income tax benefits is to donate a life insurance policy to the Foundation, as well as naming the Foundation as the beneficiary. The donor’s continued payment of the premium each year will be an annual gift to the Foundation, which is eligible for an income tax deduction.
3. Gift of Stocks, Bonds or Real Estate
A gift of appreciated securities allows the donor to make a significant contribution at a reduced cost. Federal tax laws allow a charitable deduction for the full market value of securities on the date of the gift.
4. Gift of Retirement Assets
It may be beneficial to the donor to consider the Foundation when planning disbursement of retirement assets, including naming the Foundation as the beneficiary of tax-deferred IRA, 401(k), 403(b) or 457 retirement plan.
5. Charitable Trusts
Donors and families can benefit greatly from utilizing either Charitable Remainder Trusts, Charitable Led Trusts or a Gift Annuity as part of their estate planning.
5. Gift of Cash
Cash gifts are an excellent way to immediately support students through the Lee’s Summit Educational Foundation. Donors may arrange monthly billing to their credit card or monthly drafts from their checking account.
RECOGNIZING YOUR GENEROSITY
The Generations Donor Wall is located in the lobby of the Stansberry Leadership Center. This beautiful artistic display showcases those who have supported our planned giving program. Endowment gift donors and estate gift donors’ names are etched in panels. Consider making the choice to leave a legacy to students in the Lee’s Summit R-7 District.
THREE EASY STEPS TO GIVING
1. Contact the Foundation office. Our Director, Chrissy Symes, will be glad to meet with you, discuss your wishes and make suggestions that might work best for you. Click here to email her.
2. Complete paperwork. Complete paperwork provided by the Foundation and schedule an appointment with your attorney if needed.
3. Make your decision. Return paperwork to the Foundation to let us know your decision so we can recognize your generosity!