WHY MARVELWOOD?
There are many ways to support the School, including Marvelwood's Annual Fund, endowed funds benefiting all aspects of a Marvelwood education, and planned gifts that ensure the long term financial stability of our community.
We would be pleased to discuss Marvelwood's mission and how you can support it by way of an annual contribution to the Marvelwood Fund or through your leadership capital, endowed or planned gift. Please contact Director of Advancement, Ashley Souk, by emailing ashley.souk@marvelwood.org or by calling 860-927-0047 x1018.
ANNUAL FUND
The Marvelwood Annual Fund enables us to offer the unique and invaluable Marvelwood experience. Your donations come to life through our dedicated teachers, small classes, creative programs, experiential education, athletics, and much more. Each gift is a vote of confidence in Marvelwood's mission and directly enhances the experience of each student and faculty member. The Marvelwood Annual Fund supports the essentials, such as science programs and college counseling, as well as our unique extras, including weekly community service, and Round Square, and provides the margin of excellence that we associate with the School. Participating in the The Marvelwood Annual Fund to the best of your ability is one of the most meaningful ways to show your support for the School and the people who make a difference.
BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL AID GAP
100% PARTICIPATION
BRIDGING THE FINANCIAL AID GAP
Contributions to The Marvelwood Annual Fund supplement tuition income and enables the School to meet its annual operating expenses. Each year's tuition covers only a portion of a student's education at Marvelwood. Thus, every Marvelwood student benefits from gifts to The Marvelwood Annual Fund and receives a hidden financial aid award of approximately $3,500. This amount is the difference between tuition and the true cost of educating each student. Charging the 'full' tuition would put a Marvelwood education out of the reach of many qualified students and would create a very homogeneous population. The diversity represented by the student body is an important aspect of the Marvelwood community that the school values and seeks to preserve. In order to continue to provide opportunity for students from many different cultural, social, and economic backgrounds, it is necessary to find a fair way to counter increasing costs without significantly raising the tuition. Voluntary giving to The Marvelwood Annual Fund is an equitable way to counter rising educational costs and it is, unlike tuition payments, tax-deductible.
100% PARTICIPATION
We ask all members of our community—alumni, parents, grandparents, trustees, faculty, staff, friends, local businesses, and foundations—to contribute as generously as possible. Participation at all levels will increase Marvelwood's ability to provide an excellent academic program that meets the needs of our students and teachers, and maintain our beautiful campus environment.
Foundations and major donors who Marvelwood approaches for capital projects put a high premium on the percentage of participation among alumni and parents to The Marvelwood Annual Fund. Generous and widespread support indicates to them that “the customers are satisfied" and the school is worthy of their investment.
Capital and Endowment Support
Capital and Endowment support allows Marvelwood to advance not only its programming, but also its facilities campus as we work to move Marvelwood into the forefront as the leader in student support.
Capital Funding Priorities
Endowment Support
Capital Funding Priorities
Capital gifts provide the funding to build, renovate, and maintain the facilities that form the infrastructure of Marvelwood. Recent examples include our newly renovated Performing Arts Center and the Jay McAllister Photography & Filmmaking Studio.
Endowment Support
Endowed funds have an enduring impact on every aspect of a Marvelwood education. Financial aid, faculty support and professional development, campus life, and academic and athletic programs all benefit from endowment funding.
PLANNED GIVING
The Bodkin Society was established in memory of Robert Bodkin, the School's Founder, in honor of the School's 50th Anniversary celebration. The Society honors those Marvelwood supporters who have already made planned gift provisions for the School. As we look to the future, there are a number of opportunities for members of the Marvelwood Family to join The Bodkin Society to strengthen the School's financial resources and to help build the School's endowment.
Planned giving donors will become members of The Bodkin Society, honoring alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, current parents, faculty and staff who remember Marvelwood in an estate or financial plan. The Bodkin Society plays a significant role in the School's future, the coming capital campaign, and the stability of our mission. The name is a respectful nod to our Founder and the history of Marvelwood School as a leading independent boarding school. Members of The Bodkin Society, like all donors to the School, are recognized in the School's annual report each year. In addition, members of The Bodkin Society will receive special mailings and invitations to events on campus in recognition of their support of Marvelwood School.
BEQUEST
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST
OTHER PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS
BEQUEST
The simplest and most traditional way is through a bequest under your will, either as a specific sum, a specific percentage of your estate, or the rest and remainder of your estate after debts, taxes, expenses, and specific bequests to your heirs.
In addition, there are a number of instruments you could utilize to benefit you and your family, as well as Marvelwood. With many of these vehicles, you can have the satisfaction of seeing your gift go to work for you and for Marvelwood within a very short time.
CHARITABLE REMAINDER TRUSTS
You might consider a charitable remainder trust with Marvelwood as the beneficiary. A charitable remainder trust is created when you irrevocably transfer cash, securities, or other property to a trustee, who may be yourself, the school, a bank, or another individual. This trust provides you with income during your lifetime. Upon termination of the trust, the principal would pass on to Marvelwood.
CHARITABLE LEAD TRUST
A charitable lead trust might be the appropriate vehicle for you. A charitable lead trust provides for the payment of income to Marvelwood and /or charitable beneficiaries selected by you for a period of years. Upon the expiration of the trust, the remainder reverts to you or to members of your family, as you choose.
OTHER PLANNED GIVING OPTIONS
You might also consider naming Marvelwood a beneficiary of the remainder of a pension fund or an IRA; transferring ownership of a life insurance policy to Marvelwood; or donating art, a home, or other property to the School.
We hope you will include Marvelwood when you are considering your lifelong financial planning priorities
If you have already named Marvelwood in your plans, please let the Advancement Office know. If you would like more information on how to name Marvelwood in your plans, we will provide you with guidance on how to get started. (We encourage you to consult your own financial planner or legal counsel when considering any type of planned gift.)
For more information regarding The Bodkin Society, please contact Chief Financial and Operating Officer David Fiorillo, SFO at (860) 927-0047 ext 1026.
