Ways To Give

Thank you for considering a gift to Notre Dame!  There are a variety of ways to give and there is no single "best way" to contribute. Contributions are very personal decisions and can be structured to meet your individual circumstances.

By considering the wide array of options, you may discover ways to make a gift that can actually increase the amount that you otherwise thought was possible. While the information below is not a complete list of giving possibilities and does not include specific tax information needed to make a gifting decision, it is our hope that the list will create an awareness of you on the many forms gifts can take. All donors are advised to consult their tax advisers.

Below are types of gifts to give to Notre Dame High School:

Gifts of Cash

Gifts of cash are the simplest method of giving. These gifts can be made in the form of cash, check/money order (made payable to Notre Dame High School), or credit cards (MasterCard or Visa).

Gifts of Appreciated Property

Some donors believe there are substantial benefits to giving appreciated property, as in the case of securities and real estate. While some gifts of real estate may involve certain timing issues, gifts of negotiable securities are nearly as easy to make as cash gifts.

Pledged Gifts

Commitments over time (i.e., a pledge) are an excellent way to maximize the total amount of a cash gift. Payments on a multi-year pledge can be made in a variety of ways, such as monthly, quarterly, bi-annually or annually.

Matching Gifts

Many employers have matching gift programs. Find out if your company participates in matching gifts. This is a great way to double the size of your gift to Notre Dame!

Deferred Gifts

There are a number of gift arrangements available that provide special benefits to donors and may help them achieve their overall estate planning goals as well as their philanthropic goals. Deferred gifts can make a significant contribution towards endowments, which help secure the future of Notre Dame High School. One type of deferred gift is a bequest.  The simplest way to make a deferred gift is to include a provision for a bequest in one's will.

Life Income Plans

These gifts, the most common of which is a Charitable Remainder Trust, allow a donor to give assets to Notre Dame but retain an income for life or over a set number of years.

Life Insurance

Many people own some form of life insurance. Often these policies were purchased to provide protection that is no longer needed. Children have grown, financial circumstances have changed, yet the policy is still in force and may have significant cash value. An individual can use an insurance policy to fund a gift to Notre Dame in two ways:
• Designate Notre Dame High School as the primary beneficiary. The donor retains ownership of the policy and has access to the policy’s cash value.
• Designate Notre Dame High School as the owner of the policy. The donor relinquishes all rights to the policy.

Other Arrangements

In addition to the options described here, there are other ways to make a charitable gift that may work well for you. The staff of Notre Dame would be happy to meet with you to further discuss giving opportunities. Thank you in advance for your generosity to Notre Dame High School!