Planned Giving
Your legacy.
Their possibility.
A gift in your future plans can help carry the promise of a Holy Cross education to generations of students.
You don’t have to give today to make a difference tomorrow.
Planned giving brings your charitable wishes together with your family and financial priorities. Some gifts take effect after your lifetime. Others can support Holy Cross now. You can begin with a simple conversation.
Already included Holy Cross in your plans? We would love to thank you, and to understand your wishes.
Ways to plan a gift
A gift in your will or trust
Include Holy Cross in your will or revocable living trust through a specific amount, a percentage of your estate, or a share of what remains after other gifts and obligations are met.
A revocable provision generally lets you retain control of your assets and change your plans as life changes.
Where to begin
Ask your attorney about adding a charitable provision. Contact us first to confirm the school’s legal name, tax identification number, and any intended purpose.
Retirement and other beneficiary gifts
You may be able to name Holy Cross as a beneficiary of an IRA, retirement plan, life insurance policy, or eligible bank or investment account.
Beneficiary forms generally govern these transfers, so updating your will alone may not update the gift. Coordinate designations with your overall estate plan and any spousal consent requirements.
Where to begin
Request a beneficiary designation form from your account administrator or insurer. You can often designate a percentage.
Gifts from your IRA
If you are age 70½ or older, a qualified charitable distribution (QCD) may allow an eligible gift to move directly from your IRA custodian to a qualifying charity.
A qualifying QCD may be excluded from taxable income and may satisfy all or part of a required minimum distribution. The same gift cannot also be claimed as a charitable income tax deduction. Annual limits and other rules apply.
Where to begin
Confirm eligibility with your tax advisor and the school before instructing your IRA custodian. A QCD cannot be directed to a donor-advised fund.
Appreciated assets and property
Publicly traded securities held for more than one year may offer a tax-efficient way to give. Potential benefits depend on your circumstances and applicable deduction limits.
Real estate, closely held business interests, and other complex assets require additional review. Speak with the school before arranging any transfer.
Where to begin
Ask your advisor whether an asset gift fits your plans, then request current transfer instructions and acceptance requirements.
Charitable trusts and income planning
A charitable remainder trust can provide payments to you or other beneficiaries for a lifetime or specified term, with the remainder passing to charity. A charitable lead trust provides payments to charity first, with remaining assets passing as the trust directs.
These arrangements involve legal, tax, and administrative considerations. A charitable gift annuity may be another option through a qualified provider; availability through Holy Cross must be confirmed.
Where to begin
Discuss feasibility with your estate planning attorney and the school before creating or funding an arrangement.
A legacy through your donor-advised fund
If you have a donor-advised fund, ask its sponsoring organization about naming Holy Cross to receive a portion of the remaining charitable assets after your lifetime.
Your sponsor’s policies determine available legacy and succession arrangements. A later grant from the fund does not create another charitable deduction for you.
Where to begin
Review your sponsor’s legacy instructions and confirm the school’s identifying information before submitting your recommendation.
Your values can guide your gift
Your legacy might reflect a teacher who believed in you, the gift of a Catholic education, or your hope that more families can choose Holy Cross.
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Think about what you want to make possibleConsider the people, experiences, and opportunities you hope to support. |
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Talk with your advisors and the schoolExplore how a gift can fit your family’s needs and Holy Cross’s mission. |
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Put your wishes in writingConfirm the recipient and any restrictions. If you wish, let us know about your plans so we can thank you and understand your intentions. |
Common questions
Do I need a large estate to make a planned gift?
No. A gift of a percentage of your estate or account can reflect your priorities at many giving levels. Choose an amount that is comfortable for you and your family.
Can I direct my gift to scholarships or an endowment?
Talk with the school about your goals before adding restrictions to your documents. Scholarship, endowment, or other designated gifts should be confirmed in writing so your intentions can be honored and the purpose can remain useful over time.
Do I need to share the amount of my gift?
You can begin a conversation without sharing financial details. If you decide to tell us about an intended gift, we can discuss what information would help document your wishes and how you would like to be acknowledged.
Will my gift qualify for a tax benefit?
Tax treatment depends on the gift, its timing, your circumstances, and the law in effect. A future bequest generally does not create a current income tax deduction. Ask your tax advisor to review your specific plan.
What information will my attorney or administrator need?
Contact the advancement office for the school’s verified legal name, tax identification number, mailing address, and any relevant gift instructions. Have the school review any intended restriction before you finalize the documents.
Begin a conversation
Whether you are exploring possibilities or have already included Holy Cross in your plans, we would welcome the chance to hear from you
Pauline Gebhardt
Director of Institutional Advancement
Holy Cross Preparatory Academy, Delran, New Jersey
This page provides general educational information, not legal, tax, or investment advice. Please consult your own advisors. Gift acceptance, restrictions, and the availability of particular arrangements must be confirmed with Holy Cross Preparatory Academy.
Learn More: IRS guidance on IRA charitable distributions IRS guidance on charitable remainder trusts IRS charitable contribution guidance