Ways to Give

We are grateful that you have considered giving to The Independence School! There are many different ways that you can support our students. If you have any questions regarding giving, please contact our Director of Development, Sandy August, at saugust@tisde.org or 302-234-9715.

ANNUAL FUND

The Annual Fund is a vital component of Independence’s financial stability and also one of the most important ways that you can help the school continue to provide an outstanding educational experience that remains an exceptional value for families. Unrestricted Annual Fund backing gives our leadership the most flexibility to remain a top-notch school in this competitive educational environment.

Your Annual Fund gift supports key elements of the Independence experience, such as our dedicated and caring faculty, opportunities for arts, music, athletic and service learning, and the integration of the latest technology into classrooms and teaching techniques. With strong Annual Fund support from the Independence Community, we can continue to provide and enhance the excellent education for which we are known. Click here to make a donation to the Annual Fund today!

Endowments/Special Gifts

The Independence Endowment ("Legacy Fund") is comprised of money that has been donated to the school with the restriction that it be invested and the principal remain intact. The invested endowment yields interest that can be used for a specific purpose designated by the donor, such as scholarships, tuition assistance, special projects or ongoing support of the school. Giving to the Endowment Fund allows our donors to make a lasting gift that will impact the school for many years to come. For a complete listing of our existing endowed scholarships, awards and special funds, please click here.

For more information about making a gift to Independence’s endowment fund, please contact our Director of Development, Sandy August, at saugust@tisde.org or 302-234-9715.

Cash/Check/Online

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

RECURRING GIFTS

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 Development Office at 302-234-9715 to set up your recurring gift.

CORPORATE MATCHING PROGRAMS

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 Development Office.

GIFTS OF STOCK

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 and pay no capital gains tax, which can make giving appreciated stock even more beneficial than giving cash. For full information about transferring securities to Independence, please call the Development Office at 302-234-9715.

FOUNDATIONS

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 GIFTS

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 Sandy August, Director of Development, by email at saugust@tisde.org or 302-234-9715.