Capital Campaign
November 1, 2009
St. Francis High School
Completing the Dream 
Capital Campaign  
e-Update
In This Issue
Campaign Financial Update
It's Time to Think About Year-end Giving!
Quick Links
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
IT'S 'GO' TIME!
With the excitement of fall and post season competition in cross country, football, swimming and volleyball, we are charging forward towards our capital campaign goal! We thank all of our families that have responded to the campaign with a financial investment. If you have not yet made your gift, please consider doing so today!
 
Go Spartans!

 
Making a pledge can be more affordable than one may think at first glance:
 
A $5,000 pledge comes out to almost $20 a week over 5 years
 
A $10,000 pledge comes out to almost $40 a week over 5 years
 
Here is a guide to assist families in determining how they may help St. Francis High School:


Pledge Amount

Monthly Giving

(over 5 years)

Weekly Giving

(over 5 years)

Monthly Giving

(over 3 years)

Weekly Giving

(over 3 years)

$50,000

$833.33

$192.31

$1,388.88

$320.50

$25,000

$416.67

$96.15

$694.44

$160.26

$10,000

$166.67

$38.46

$277.78

$64.10

$5,000

$83.33

$19.23

$138.89

$32.05

$2,500

$41.67

$9.62

$69.44

$16.03

$1,000

$16.67

$3.85

$27.78

$6.41

Campaign Financial Update
  
Total Pledged:  $898,868.42
 
Total Collected on Pledges:  $498,731.88
 
Number of Gifts Received: 490
It's Time to Think About Year-end Giving!
 
Deductions for charitable contributions can play a role in year end tax planning.  Over the past couple of years there have been changes to the tax laws which require stricter substantiation of contributions and/or allow for a more beneficial treatment of transfers to charitable organizations.
 
If you expect to be in a lower or at least no higher tax bracket next year, consider moving charitable donations you normally would make in early 2010 to the end of 2009. If you're temporarily short on cash, charge the contribution to a credit card-it is deductible in the year charged, not when payment is made on the card.
 
IRS Tax Tip 2009-23
As an alternative method for donating to a charity, certain taxpayers may transfer funds from their IRA to an eligible charitable organization. Here are ten things taxpayers who are thinking about making such a donation will need to know.
  1. The IRA owner must be age 70 ½ or older.
  2. The donor must directly transfer the money tax-free to an eligible organization.
  3. The maximum amount that an IRA owner may transfer annually tax-free is $100,000 to an eligible organization.
  4. This option, created in 2006 and recently extended through 2009, is available to eligible IRA owners, regardless of whether they itemize their deductions.
  5. Distributions from employer-sponsored retirement plans, including SIMPLE IRAs and simplified employee pension plans - commonly referred to as SEP Plans - are not eligible.
  6. To qualify, the funds must be contributed directly by the IRA trustee to the eligible charity.
  7. Amounts transferred are not taxable and no deduction is available for the amount given to the charity unless nondeductible contributions are transferred.
  8. Not all charities are eligible. For example, donor-advised funds and supporting organizations are not eligible recipients.
  9. Transferred amounts are counted in determining whether the owner has met the IRA's required minimum distribution rules. Where individuals have made nondeductible contributions to their traditional IRAs, a special rule treats transferred amounts as coming first from taxable funds, instead of proportionately from taxable and nontaxable funds, as would be the case with regular distributions. If nondeductible contributions are transferred to an eligible organization, a charitable contribution deduction may be allowed if itemizing deductions.
  10. More information about qualified charitable distributions can be found in Publication 590, Individual Retirement Arrangements.
Make Your Gift Today!
Please return your Letter of Intent with your investment in the Completing the Dream capital campaign. If everyone helps in the most generous way they can, we will be successful in reaching our goal. The Letter of Intent not only communicates your financial support of the campaign, it also serves as collateral to assist in securing bridge financing during construction.
 
If you need another copy of the Letter of Intent or would like to make your gift online, go to www.sfhs.org to obtain the materials you need. We appreciate your generosity!
 
Should you have any questions regarding construction, the building or the campaign, please contact Tom Bednar, President of St. Francis High School at 630-668-5800 x102.
 
Make A Gift for the Future
Throughout life most of us are inundated with financial obligations, goals, and the need to save for a secure future. However, there is one part of financial management that often is neglected - estate planning. Approximately 65% of Americans die without a will. This means a loss of control over the distribution of assets and often a delay and significant costs associated with the probate process.
 
A will is an important document that lets you determine the distribution of your estate. It also offers a variety of creative ways for you to leave a legacy, including helping St. Francis High School.  In preparing your will, you should first provide for your family's needs. Then you may choose to bequeath to St. Francis High School a certain dollar amount, specific property, a percentage of your estate, or whatever is left after your loved ones have been taken care of.
 
If you already have a will, your attorney may be able to add a simple amendment (codicil) to provide a gift using language similar to this:
 
GENERAL BEQUEST:
I hereby give and bequeath the sum of $_______ to St. Francis High School.
 
RESIDUE BEQUEST:
I devise and bequeath ___% of the residue of my estate to St. Francis High School.
 
Planned giving not only benefits the School - many forms provide substantial tax benefits to the giver.  In addition to your will, there are many ways to contribute to St. Francis including:
 
Giving a sizable gift at a small cost
(Life Insurance Gifts)
 
Giving gifts that pay an income
(Charitable Remainder Trusts)
 
Giving a gift temporarily
(Charitable Lead Trusts)
  Giving a home, but continue to live there
(Life Estate Arrangement)
 
Giving a gift that pays a steady income
(Lifetime Giving)
Consult with your tax and other financial planning professionals to craft a personal giving plan appropriate for you.  Once you have determined your giving options, decide how to inform family and friends of your intentions. You may arrange a time to personally share your wishes for St. Francis High School by calling Tom Bednar, President, at 630-668-5800 x102.
Sincerely,

Thomas Bednar
St. Francis High School

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