Following the simple instructions and plugging in the required information will allow you to create your own illustration of the benefits you will receive.

You may also request a personalized, full illustration and learn more about the John D. Verdery Society by emailing Wooster at Nadine.landau@woosterschool.org or calling Director of Annual Giving Nadine.landau@woosterschool.org at (203)830-3902.

Thank you for visiting the John D. Verdery Society and for supporting Wooster School.

A Planned Gift is a Wonderful Gift to Wooster School

JOHN D. VERDERY SOCIETY

Wooster School established the John D. Verdery Society to recognize the generosity of all the participants in the School’s Planned Giving Programs.  The Society has been named for Wooster’s second and longest serving Headmaster, under whose aegis Wooster School grew at a remarkable rate –Coburn Hall, 8 new faculty homes, the gym, the infirmary, the Art Center, Whipple Science Center, two separate and complete renovations of East and West Cottages, and the addition of Wilson Field were completed - during a twenty-two year period he dubbed the “strengthening years.”

The John D. Verdery Society honors and seeks to perpetuate the distinguished tradition of giving at Wooster, which made possible the School’s growth and advancement that began under Headmaster Verdery and continues today.   Participants in any of Wooster School’s Planned Giving Programs, including bequests, life-income arrangements, and other deferred gifts automatically become members of the John D. Verdery Society. 

A Planned Gift is usually the most important gift an individual makes in a lifetime.  It is a powerful tool that allows you to take control of your legacy.  Planning your estate ensures that your property will pass to those individuals and causes for which you care most deeply.  What you put in your will and estates plans is what people will remember you by.  An up to date plan gives you the opportunity to transfer the values that are important to you.  And one of the best ways to leave a legacy like that is to make charitable gifts through your will and estate plans.  Remembering Wooster in your plans is a fitting testimony to your belief in our mission and has a profound impact by providing resources in perpetuity that continue to strengthen our mission.

WHAT WILL YOUR LEGACY BE?

There are many ways for you to ensure your legacy and make a planned gift to Wooster, most of which provide significant long term tax advantages while continuing to support Wooster’s legacy.  It is important that you are aware of your options to ensure that the assets and the vehicles you choose to make a gift are optimally suited for your own financial situation.  We encourage you to contact your own certified financial advisor or tax attorney/advisor. Below is a sampling of planned giving vehicles, which help you enhance your own and your family's well-being as well as Wooster School's.

Bequests

Wills provide many donors an excellent opportunity to support Wooster. You may bequeath a fixed percentage of your estate or a specific amount to support our mission. When you notify us of your intentions you automatically become a member of the John D. Verdery Society.

Charitable Gift Annuity

A charitable gift annuity, which can be established through Wooster School for a minimum of $10,000, is a managed fund that enables you to retain a fixed income for the lifetime of you and your spouse, claim a current tax deduction and make a gift to Wooster School.

Charitable Remainder Unitrust (CRUT)

A charitable remainder unitrust is a custom designed and individually managed trust that enables you to retain a variable income for your lifetime, claim a current income tax deduction and make a gift to Wooster.

Charitable Remainder Annuity Trust (CRAT)

A charitable remainder annuity trust is similar to a CRUT with the exception that the income you receive from it is fixed and not variable. All of the other benefits apply.

Charitable Lead Trust

Donors may make a gift in trust and provide that the trustee shall pay an income to Wooster School for a fixed period of years and further provide that at the end of the period the trustees will transfer the property to children, grandchildren or other specified persons. This gift preserves assets for your heirs.

Life Insurance and Retirement Policies

Gifts of Life Insurance which are no longer needed benefit the endowment and are fully deductible. Wooster encourages the gift of paid up policies. In the case of new policies, Wooster must be both the owner and the beneficiary. Retirement accounts such as 401K’s can also be a donation vehicle.

Securities

Appreciated securities are a wonderful form of asset to use when making a charitable donation to Wooster. An outright gift of appreciated securities entitles the donor to an income tax charitable deduction for the fair market value of the appreciated security plus, in many cases, an avoidance of capital gains tax.

Gifts of Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property

Donors may also choose to contribute to Wooster with gifts of Real Estate and Personal Property. It is always advised that you speak with your own tax professional to ascertain the tax benefits of your gift.

For more information on the John D. Verdery Society and Planned Gifts, please contact Director of Development lisa.young@woosterschool.org (203) 830-3920 or Jodi Myers, Director of Alumni Relations and Alumni Annual Giving jodi.myers@woosterschool.org (203) 830-3921.