Give
Why Give?
Why are contributions to the Mizzentop Annual Fund important? Doesn’t tuition cover the cost of my child’s education?
There is a gap between the tuition dollars the school receives and the actual costs of operating the institution. At Mizzentop, tuition and fees cover approximately 80% of our annual operating costs. Mizzentop is not unique in this regard. Most independent schools seek to limit tuition costs and bridge the resulting budget gap with philanthropy.
Why don’t you raise tuition to cover the full cost of educating each child?
A revenue model that relies on both tuition and philanthropy enables us to keep tuition costs lower, making Mizzentop accessible to a broader range of families, and allows families to support the school with tax deductible charitable gifts, rather than tuition alone. Tuition is not tax deductible while charitable contributions are.
There is a gap between the tuition dollars the school receives and the actual costs of operating the institution. At Mizzentop, tuition and fees cover approximately 80% of our annual operating costs. Mizzentop is not unique in this regard. Most independent schools seek to limit tuition costs and bridge the resulting budget gap with philanthropy.
Why don’t you raise tuition to cover the full cost of educating each child?
A revenue model that relies on both tuition and philanthropy enables us to keep tuition costs lower, making Mizzentop accessible to a broader range of families, and allows families to support the school with tax deductible charitable gifts, rather than tuition alone. Tuition is not tax deductible while charitable contributions are.
How much should I give?
Gifts of any size are appreciated and make an impact. We only ask that you consider giving as generously as you are able. Participation is more important than the amount you give, and every gift counts equally when it comes to participation.
Why does my participation matter?
Participation reflects parent confidence and commitment to Mizzentop. Mizzentop alumni, charitable foundations, and grant making organizations view parent participation as a marker of how the school is doing today.
Annual gifts help cover critical operating costs and fund a significant portion of our annual budget. Participation is a key measure of our School's financial health.
Should I make a gift to the Mizzentop Annual Fund every year?
We ask every member of our community to participate in the Mizzentop Annual Fund every year because the Fund makes up so much of our yearly operating budget.
Who do you solicit for the Mizzentop Annual Fund?
We ask everyone in our community to participate: parents, alumni, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty and staff, as well as local businesses and foundations.
Are gifts to Mizzentop tax deductible?
Mizzentop School is an exempt organization as described in section 501 (c) 3 of the Internal Revenue Code, and gifts are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Gifts of appreciated stock may offer additional tax benefits. Donors will receive an acknowledgment and receipt for their taxes.
Can I give to Mizzentop’s endowment?
Yes! The endowment provides resources — in perpetuity — for the people and programs that make Mizzentop unique. The funds are invested, and a board-determined percentage of the endowment income is spent each year. If you would like to learn more about making an endowment gift, we would welcome a conversation with you.
We ask those supporting the endowment to continue giving to the Mizzentop Annual Fund, as well, due to its critical importance to the School.
What are the Mizzentop giving club levels?
Hilltop Society (Planned Giving)
Admirals Club ($10,000 and up)
Leadership Role ($5,000 - $9,999)
The Founders Club ($2,500 - $4,999)
Navigator’s Club ($1,000 - $2,499)
Explorer’s Club ($500 - $999)
Blue & Gold Club ($250-$499)
Honor Roll ($5-$249)
Leadership Role ($5,000 - $9,999)
The Founders Club ($2,500 - $4,999)
Navigator’s Club ($1,000 - $2,499)
Explorer’s Club ($500 - $999)
Blue & Gold Club ($250-$499)
Honor Roll ($5-$249)
Have additional questions? We’re happy to help! Please contact Martin Bernstein, mbernstein@mizzentopdayschool.org.
Ways to Give
Credit Card
Credit card gifts can be made by clicking the donate button.
Credit card gifts can be made by clicking the donate button.
Checks
Checks can be made payable to Mizzentop Day School and sent to:
Checks can be made payable to Mizzentop Day School and sent to:
Advancement Office
Mizzentop Day School
64 E Main Street
Pawling, NY 12564
Gifts of Stock
Giving appreciated stock may offer a tax-saving benefit, enabling you to avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of your security. To receive the tax benefit, the donor should not personally sell the security, but transfer it directly to Mizzentop’s account for the School to sell. For stock transfer instructions, please contact Martin Bernstein, Director of Advancement, at mbernstein@mizzentop.org.
Giving appreciated stock may offer a tax-saving benefit, enabling you to avoid paying capital gains tax on the increase in value of your security. To receive the tax benefit, the donor should not personally sell the security, but transfer it directly to Mizzentop’s account for the School to sell. For stock transfer instructions, please contact Martin Bernstein, Director of Advancement, at mbernstein@mizzentop.org.
Matching Gifts
You or your spouse’s employer may match your donation, enabling you to magnify your impact. Ask your employer’s HR department to inquire.
Matching gifts can be sent to:
Advancement Office
Mizzentop Day School
64 E Main Street
Pawling, NY 12564
Mizzentop's tax id number is 14-1803878.
Mizzentop Day School
64 E Main Street
Pawling, NY 12564
Mizzentop's tax id number is 14-1803878.
Donor Advised Funds
Mizzentop can accept gifts from any donor-advised fund. For instructions, please contact Martin Bernstein, Director of Advancement, at mbernstein@mizzentop.org.
Planned Giving
Mizzentop Day School encourages planned gifts to provide support for future students. In many cases, a deferred gift enables a donor to make a more significant contribution than would be possible through an outright gift.
Planned gifts require careful thought and analysis with a mindful eye toward income, estate, and tax consequences. You can provide for your family and ensure that future MDS students have all the advantages that your family has enjoyed. And, by including charitable gifts in your will, you may create significant tax advantages for your estate.
Mizzentop Day School has established a special club called The Hilltop Society to recognize individuals who support the school through planned gifts such as bequests, irrevocable trusts, and life insurance. We invite you to join this special group of friends who have included MDS in their estate plans. Contributions to The Hilltop Society will create an enduring legacy for generations to come.
A Charitable Bequest
Instruct your attorney to add a charitable bequest for Mizzentop Day School to your estate plan for a specific amount, a specific property, or for a percentage of the estate.
Instruct your attorney to add a charitable bequest for Mizzentop Day School to your estate plan for a specific amount, a specific property, or for a percentage of the estate.
Retirement Plans
Designate Mizzentop Day School to receive part or all of what remains of your retirement plan after your death. Such a transfer can be a very tax-efficient way to make a gift. For example, heirs may receive as little as 30% of a retirement plan from a large estate after estate tax and income tax. Mizzentop Day will receive all of it tax-free.
Designate Mizzentop Day School to receive part or all of what remains of your retirement plan after your death. Such a transfer can be a very tax-efficient way to make a gift. For example, heirs may receive as little as 30% of a retirement plan from a large estate after estate tax and income tax. Mizzentop Day will receive all of it tax-free.
Insurance Policies
Designate Mizzentop Day School’s endowment to receive all or part of the proceeds of a life insurance policy. Ask your insurance company for a beneficiary designation form.
Designate Mizzentop Day School’s endowment to receive all or part of the proceeds of a life insurance policy. Ask your insurance company for a beneficiary designation form.
A Charitable Remainder Trust
You can transfer cash or securities to a trust which distributes annual payments to you for life and leave the remainder to the charities of your choice. This option protects you from up-front capital gains tax on donated appreciated assets and will allow an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your contribution while ensuring a future gift to Mizzentop Day School.
You can transfer cash or securities to a trust which distributes annual payments to you for life and leave the remainder to the charities of your choice. This option protects you from up-front capital gains tax on donated appreciated assets and will allow an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your contribution while ensuring a future gift to Mizzentop Day School.
Real Estate
Gifts of residential or commercial real estate may be something you consider. Land, vacation homes, farms or income producing properties can bring great benefits to Mizzentop Day School.
Gifts of residential or commercial real estate may be something you consider. Land, vacation homes, farms or income producing properties can bring great benefits to Mizzentop Day School.
Support a child’s future.
The Annual Fund supplements annual expenses and priorities not covered by tuition. Your donation supports all aspects of Mizzentop, including classroom supplies, educational technology, and extracurricular activities.
Your gift today will…
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Keep our classrooms vibrant
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Keep our campus safe
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Support our faculty
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Strengthen our community