Endowment funds are critical to the future of the school. The endowment is a permanent fund in which only the earned income is spent and the principle is invested under the guidance of the Board of Trustees. The endowment ensures the future education of our students. Endowment gifts can be made at any time.

For more information on the S.S.H. endowment, please contact the Director of the Advancement Office at (337) 662-7063.

The members of the St. Philippine Duchesne Society are part of a very special group of individuals who have notified the Academy of the Sacred Heart that they have included the school in their estate plans, through bequests and other forms of planned gifts.

 

The purpose of the St. Philippine Duchesne Society is to recognize those who have made a planned gift to the Academy, as well as to inspire others to consider such gifts and to provide members with information on estate and financial planning.  The Academy sincerely appreciates each planned giving donors’ commitment to a bright future for the school and of the encouragement provided by their example to support the Sacred Heart Mission through a planned gift.

 

The society roster is printed annual in La Galerie and, on occasion, in other school publications.  Those members of the St. Philipping Duchesne Society who have given us permission will have their names included; those who wish to remain anonymous may of course do so.  If your name should be included in the membership of the St. Philippine Duchesne Society or you would like information about making a planned gift to the Academy, please contact the Advancement Office.

How to Join

The following types of commitments, confirmed in writing and subject to certain restrictions, qualify you for membership in the St. Philippine Duchesne Society:

• a bequest provision in your Will or revocable trust;
• a life-income gift that names the Academy of the Sacred Heart as a remainder beneficiary, such as a charitable remainder trust, a charitable gift annuity, or a pooled income fund gift;
• a charitable lead trust that provides income to the Academy of the Sacred Heart for a donor’s lifetime or a term of years;
• a gift of assignment of qualified retirement plan assets, such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b);
• a gift of life insurance

If you have already included the Academy of the Sacred Heart in a bequest or other planned gift, we hope that you will let us know by contacting us at advancement@sshcoteau.org.  Your willingness to be listed as a member of the St. Philippine Duchesne Society encourages others to follow your example.  We acknowledge and respect those who wish to remain anonymous, but we urge you to let us know of your plans on a confidential bases in any case.  It supports the Academy of the Sacred Heart’s planning for the future.  Of course, if you have not yet included the Academy of the Sacred Heart in your plans and you would like to explore the best options for you and your family, do not hesitate to contact us.  We would be glad to assist you on a confidential basis and without any obligation.

BEQUEST

How do I include the Academy of the Sacred Heart in my Will?

A Will is perhaps the easiest and most effective means to ensure that you fully provide for your family and that your assets are distributed as you wish. Bequests both large and small have been important to the Academy since its founding, and a bequest through your Will also provides continuing support of the ongoing work of the Academy.

A gift to the Academy of the Sacred Heart through your Will has several advantages:

• Charitable gifts made through your will are 100% deductible for estate tax purposes.
• A charitable bequest may place your estate in a lower tax bracket.
• You may specify that your bequest be used for general purposes of Sacred Heart or for a particular program or ministry.

When making a gift to Sacred Heart through your will, please consult your legal and tax advisors.

Through their philanthropic commitment and membership in the St. Philippine Duchesne Society, these generous donors are making a powerful statement about the Academy’s future.  Thank you!

Another option is to create a Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT) through your will. Your IRA assets will be transferred to a CRT, and there is no tax due because the CRT is a tax-exempt entity. The trust will provide life income to a beneficiary (for example, your children) with the trust eventually passing to the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Your estate will receive an estate tax deduction for the value of the Academy’s right to eventually receive the trust assets.  As with all planned gifts, please be sure to consult with your legal and tax advisors.

Many Sacred Heart friends today have large qualified retirement plans such as an IRA, 401(k), or Keough plan. These plans have been growing tax-free for several years, but once the owner begins to receive payments, the distributions are taxed. The plans are also included in the owner’s taxable estate. Many friends of the Academy are now looking at these assets as a wonderful source of funds to make a gift.

Perhaps the most convenient way to make a gift is by simply changing the beneficiary designation to include the Academy of the Sacred Heart. The gift will benefit Sacred Heart free of probate.

Giving By Check
Please send all gifts made by check to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, 1821 Academy Road, P.O. Box 310, Grand Coteau, Louisiana 70541. Please enclose with the gift, information regarding the designation for the gift, who to acknowledge if other than the immediate donor, and donor receipt mailing information.

Giving Stock
A stock gift offers a double advantage in that the donor can avoid paying capital gains tax and receive a deduction for the full market value of the stock on the date of sale.

To make a gift of stock to the Academy of the Sacred Heart, please notify your broker with the following information.

• The stock is a gift for the benefit of the Academy of the Sacred Heart, Grand Coteau, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization.
• Name and number of shares to be transferred. (stock symbol is helpful)
• Tax ID number for S.S.H.
• S.S.H. account number
• DTC number

Please make mention of the Academy of the Sacred Heart on all correspondence with your broker regarding this transfer. Please contact the Advancement Office to obtain wiring information and answers to the above referenced list.

Matching Gifts
Donors may work for a company that provides matching gifts. Please contact the Director of Advancement or your company’s personnel office to obtain info on your company. Send in your gift, along with the matching gift form, to the Office of Advancement.