Meet Michael Munson

Michael Munson

Michael Munson is grateful to the supporters of CDH. "Without their donations, I would not be able to attend such a wonderful Catholic school," he says.

Michael Munson's education and Catholic faith are very important to him, so when the time came for this student from St. Mark's Grade School and Parish to decide on a high school, he chose Cretin-Derham Hall. "I really looked at all the nearby Catholic schools, but CDH stood out to me because of the strong academics and the Catholic education," Michael says. His sister Janie will be a ninth-grader next year.

Michael enjoys being on the Link Crew, a program designed to welcome ninth graders to high school and make them feel comfortable as they transition to their new school. Link Crew members, consisting of juniors and seniors, are trained to mentor and serve as positive role models for students.

Michael enjoys reading and writing, so it's no surprise that English is one of his favorite classes. He cites Mr. Tom Cody as one of his favorite teachers because, "he somehow manages to make math fun and interesting."

After high school, Michael wants to attend the University of Wisconsin at Madison and earn a degree in entrepreneurship. He dreams on one day of owning his own real estate business.

Michael wants to extend his thanks to the CDH community for its extraordinary support over the years. "Without their donations, I would not be able to attend such a wonderful Catholic school," Michael says.

Learn How You Can Help

Contact Rob Bollinger at (651) 696-3343 or rbollinger@c-dh.org today to discover how you can help support students like Michael through planned giving, at no obligation.

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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