The Power of Giving Back

Maria Wagner Reamer

For more than 30 years, Maria Wagner Reamer, a community volunteer and mother of two, has been "paying it forward" by making an annual gift to Cretin-Derham Hall.

Annual giving allows Cretin-Derham Hall to maintain the mission of the school by providing a unique, quality educational experience for students.

"I believe that Cretin-Derham Hall works very hard to serve all in the community that desire an inclusive, faith-based education by making it accessible," Maria says of her annual gift toward tuition assistance.

Giving Back

As a 1982 graduate of Derham Hall, Maria knows all too well how a simple yearly donation can transform a student's life. As a teenager, a change in her family's financial situation nearly ended her educational journey at the school.

Instead, thanks to a generous donor who paid her tuition, Maria was able to continue her education and graduate from Derham Hall. Shortly after obtaining her first job, she made her first annual gift.

"I have been forever grateful and feel strongly about accessibility through financial aid and scholarships," says Maria, who also volunteers at Cretin-Derham Hall. "It feels very natural to me that I would continue to 'pay it forward' to help make this education accessible for any who desire it."

Make A Gift To Transferm Lives

Like Maria, you, too, can impact the lives and education of prospective and current Cretin-Derham Hall students. Contact Rob Bollinger at (651) 696-3343 or rbollinger@c-dh.org to learn more about the variety of options for you to create a lasting legacy at Cretin-Derham Hall.

A charitable bequest is one or two sentences in your will or living trust that leave to Cretin-Derham Hall a specific item, an amount of money, a gift contingent upon certain events or a percentage of your estate.

an individual or organization designated to receive benefits or funds under a will or other contract, such as an insurance policy, trust or retirement plan

"I/We accept the pleasure of membership in the Cretin-Derham Hall Legacy Society through the following planned gift commitment to benefit students at Cretin-Derham Hall. [Indicate gift specifics.]"

able to be changed or cancelled

A revocable living trust is set up during your lifetime and can be revoked at any time before death. They allow assets held in the trust to pass directly to beneficiaries without probate court proceedings and can also reduce federal estate taxes.

cannot be changed or cancelled

tax on gifts generally paid by the person making the gift rather than the recipient

the original value of an asset, such as stock, before its appreciation or depreciation

the growth in value of an asset like stock or real estate since the original purchase

the price a willing buyer and willing seller can agree on

The person receiving the gift annuity payments.

the part of an estate left after debts, taxes and specific bequests have been paid

a written and properly witnessed legal change to a will

the person named in a will to manage the estate, collect the property, pay any debt, and distribute property according to the will

A donor advised fund is an account that you set up but which is managed by a nonprofit organization. You contribute to the account, which grows tax-free. You can recommend how much (and how often) you want to distribute money from that fund to Cretin-Derham Hall or other charities. You cannot direct the gifts.

An endowed gift can create a new endowment or add to an existing endowment. The principal of the endowment is invested and a portion of the principal’s earnings are used each year to support our mission.

Tax on the growth in value of an asset—such as real estate or stock—since its original purchase.

Securities, real estate or any other property having a fair market value greater than its original purchase price.

Real estate can be a personal residence, vacation home, timeshare property, farm, commercial property or undeveloped land.

A charitable remainder trust provides you or other named individuals income each year for life or a period not exceeding 20 years from assets you give to the trust you create.

You give assets to a trust that pays our organization set payments for a number of years, which you choose. The longer the length of time, the better the potential tax savings to you. When the term is up, the remaining trust assets go to you, your family or other beneficiaries you select. This is an excellent way to transfer property to family members at a minimal cost.

You fund this type of trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. You can also make additional gifts; each one also qualifies for a tax deduction. The trust pays you, each year, a variable amount based on a fixed percentage of the fair market value of the trust assets. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Cretin-Derham Hall as a lump sum.

You fund this trust with cash or appreciated assets—and may qualify for a federal income tax charitable deduction when you itemize. Each year the trust pays you or another named individual the same dollar amount you choose at the start. When the trust terminates, the remaining principal goes to Cretin-Derham Hall as a lump sum.

A beneficiary designation clearly identifies how specific assets will be distributed after your death.

A charitable gift annuity involves a simple contract between you and Cretin-Derham Hall where you agree to make a gift to Cretin-Derham Hall and we, in return, agree to pay you (and someone else, if you choose) a fixed amount each year for the rest of your life.

The Brothers of the Christian Schools (also known as Christian Brothers) is a Roman Catholic religious teaching congregation founded in France by St. John Baptist de La Salle. The Brothers opened Cretin High School in 1871 and continue to sponsor and serve to this day.

The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet is a congregation of women religious. Together, with their consociates, the Sisters are committed to continuing the mission of Jesus in the world by responding to the needs of our time. The Sisters opened Derham Hall in 1905 and are co-sponsors of CDH today.

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