Giving

Most donors choose to make their gifts in the form of cash or check. Donations can also be made through our secure online giving site or mailed directly to the Advancement Office at 1300 Paper Mill Road, Newark, DE 19711.

We accept MasterCard, Visa, American Express, and Discover through our secure online giving site.

Every year, Independence receives donations through Donor-Advised Funds (DAF). A Donor-Advised Fund is a personal charitable giving account held by an individual in which donors receive immediate tax deductions for contributions at a minimum level to their DAF, then can recommend grants from the DAF to 501(c)(3) charities, such as Independence. 

If you have an existing DAF through Fidelity Charitable, Schwab Charitable, Vanguard Charitable, or another organization, please consider designating a gift to Independence. We also accept gifts made through the United Way of Delaware's Giving Societies and Workplace Giving Campaigns.

Please contact the Advancement Office at 302-239-0330 ext. 256 if we can be of assistance.

Setting up a monthly, recurring gift on your credit or debit card is a convenient way to give to Independence. A recurring gift allows you to increase your impact on the school with manageable monthly deductions. Gifts will be processed on the 15^th of each month, and you can change or opt-out of the program at any time. Please contact the Advancement Office at 302-239-0330 ext. 256 to set up your recurring gift.

Taking advantage of your charitable corporate matching program is an easy way to increase your donation to Independence. Many employers will match dollar-for-dollar your contribution to the school. To find out if your company participates in a corporate matching program, please contact your Human Resources department or the Independence Advancement Office.

Independence accepts gifts of publicly traded securities (stocks, bonds and mutual funds). You receive an immediate income tax deduction for the Fair Market Value (FMV) of the securities on the day it is received by the school. You may pay no capital gains tax, which can make giving appreciated stock even more beneficial than giving cash. Please consult your tax advisor for any tax questions. For complete information about transferring securities to Independence, please call the Advancement Office at 302-239-0330 ext. 256.

If you are affiliated with a foundation, consider directing its support to Independence. The foundation gets issued a tax receipt for the gift, and the individual responsible for the recommendation receives recognition.

Planned giving is a tax-wise method many people use to support non-profit organizations, like Independence, without sacrificing their own financial security. A planned gift often enables a donor to make a significant impact on future generations of Independence students while realizing immediate or estate tax benefits. Independence honors those who make this commitment with membership in the Founders’ Circle.

A planned gift might be worth considering if you believe deeply in the benefits of an Independence education and you want to make a lasting difference, but you are concerned about your own or your family’s future financial needs.

Below are several examples of ways that you can leave a lasting legacy for current and future Independence students.

• Designate a specific amount or percentage of assets in your will to Independence
• Include Independence as a beneficiary of your IRA or retirement plan
• Make Independence the owner or beneficiary of a life insurance policy
• Donate property to Independence while retaining its use during the lifetime of you and your spouse
• Choose a charitable remainder trust that can provide a variable or fixed income for a period of time for specified individuals
• Choose a charitable lead trust that passes assets to your heirs with less estate tax

We recognize that a planned gift is a very personal decision, and we are grateful for your consideration. We would be happy to speak with you further and provide the necessary resources to help you make your decision. Please contact the Advancement Office at 302-239-0330 ext. 256.