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Q
How is Germantown Academy funded as an independent school?
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A
Tuition provides the largest segment of revenue to the school. Other streams include tax-deductible contributions, such as gifts to the Annual Fund, special fundraising events and income on investments, such as endowment funds.
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Q
Doesn’t tuition cover costs at GA?
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A
Not quite. Tuition covers most operating costs, but the Annual Fund closes the gap between tuition and expenses. In order to provide special enhancements for the students and faculty, Germantown Academy asks parents, past-parents, alumni, corporations and foundations to all support the school by contributing to the Annual Fund.
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Q
Are gifts to Germantown Academy considered tax-deductible contributions?
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A
Yes! Germantown Academy is a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization and contributions to the Annual Fund are tax-deductible. When you send your donation to the school, your gift will be confirmed in a letter that should be kept for tax purposes.
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Q
What sort of assets can I use to make a gift?
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A
There are many ways to give a gift to Germantown Academy: cash, publicly traded securities, life insurance, and/or the balance of your retirement account. Other assets, such as real estate, closely held stock, artwork and collectibles, can be very valuable but are more complicated to administer and must be reviewed by us before we can accept them as gifts. GA's Gift Acceptance Policy can help us determine the best strategy to structure such gifts.
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Q
What am I expected to contribute?
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A
Each GA family must determine what amount they are able to contribute. Every Annual Fund gift in any form is important. When GA seeks funding from other sources such as foundations and corporations, it is important to be able to illustrate the support of its parents and others by the percentage of individuals who contribute to the school. Consequently we stress the importance of 100% community participation. All contributions are recognized each year in the Germantown Academy Annual Report of Philanthropic Giving, which is printed in the fall.
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Q
May I make a gift of appreciated stock?
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A
Yes, stock gifts can be of great benefit to both the donor and the institution receiving the gift. You may be able to avoid capital gains tax by making a gift of appreciated stock. Please contact the Office of Institutional Advancement for instructions on how to transfer stock to Germantown Academy or click here.
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Q
Can I honor my son/daughter in their graduation year?
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A
You can honor a special person by making a tribute gift to the Annual Fund in his or her name to Germantown Academy. With your gift to the Annual Fund, you may celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, remembrances, or "just because." Your donation in someone's honor is a wonderful way to express your admiration while making a difference at GA.
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Q
What is Planned Giving?
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By definition, planned gifts are carefully structured, and often deferred, gifts involving a donor's estate or other invested assets. They necessitate careful and thoughtful consideration so that the financial objectives of the donor and the school are fulfilled. A planned gift might be as simple as remembering Germantown Academy in your will or establishing an annuity or trust that provides particular financial benefits to the donor as well as GA.