The Choice of What to Give
We would like to express appreciation for the generous support of the many people who make The Elon School one of their philanthropic priorities. We are grateful. This year promises to be one of challenge. Current economic conditions are affecting us all in many ways. Deciding how to give is no exception. In fact, the choice of what to give can be important when determining how much you can give. You may decide to give cash, or make your gift in the form of other property and conserve cash for other purposes.

Through the use of alternatives outlined here it may be possible to make charitable gifts while helping preserve personal economic security and that of loved ones. If you and/or your advisors would like more information about optimizing your gift in 2009 please contact Jane Grosse at jane.grosse@elonhomes.org to request a free copy of the booklet Giving Alternatives for 2009.

Cash: A Popular Gift
Gifts to The Elon School are usually made in the form of cash and checks. Cash gifts are convenient for many people and are easily recorded through canceled checks and receipts. Remember that it is important to save all receipts to assure maximum tax savings.

Non-Cash Gifts: Enjoy More Savings
Donors also may choose to make their gifts in forms other than cash. Examples include:

	Securities (stocks, bonds, mutual funds)
	Real estate
	Retirement plans
	Life insurance policies
	Other items of value (jewelry, paintings, collections, antiques, automobiles, etc.)

After considering the properties you own, you may find giving something other than cash to be an appealing alternative. Giving non-cash property enables you to make a meaningful gift while conserving cash for other uses and enjoying what may be greater tax savings than those provided by gifts of cash. Giving Appreciated Property If you have non-cash property, such as stocks and mutual funds, that has grown in value (appreciated) and been held long-term (more than one year), you can generally enjoy greater tax savings from giving such property than from giving an equivalent amount of cash. That's because a gift of appreciated property lets you bypass capital gain tax that could be due if you sold the asset. You are also entitled to a charitable deduction based on the property's current value, including the "paper profits" you have earned since you have owned it. Giving Depreciated Property If you have stock or other property that has decreased in value, you will normally save more in taxes by selling them and giving the proceeds. You may then be able to claim a capital loss on your tax return. You can also deduct the cash proceeds you give as a charitable gift. The result can be to enjoy tax deductions that amount to more than the current value of the asset. Gifts That Provide An Income Gifts that provide an income can be a tax effective way to provide you and/or someone else you designate with regular payments for life or another period of time. Check with us or your advisors for more information.

With your help, The Elon School will receive cash or valuable educational materials through its participation in the following programs. Your support will be greatly appreciated. If you shop at Harris Teeter stores, please give the cashier The Elon School account number (6559) to link your VIC card with the school. This sign up must be done for each school year and can be done at any time. When you purchase Harris Teeter private label items, the grocer contributes a percentage of your purchase dollars to The Elon School. If The Elon School has at least 100 shoppers linked to the school, Headmaster Broadhead can nominate outstanding teachers for special recognition including $1000 to the winning teachers and $1000 to their schools. You can link on line: www.harristeeter.com, click on Community, Together in Education, Link to your school. The Campbell's Labels for Education catalogue offers hundreds of exciting educational items that can be redeemed with Campbell's Company Universal Product Codes. Campbell's accepts only UPCs (or lids from a limited number of products). The company no longer accepts front panel labels. The UPCs are easier to clip and cheaper to mail. Visit www.labelsforeducation.com for a list of eligible products and what to save from each. Send UPCs and lids to: The Elon School 201 S. O'Kelly Avenue Elon, NC 27244

Leave a Legacy
Many people discover that their long-range estate and financial plans provide a thoughtful way to make a gift in perpetuity often in honor or in memory of a loved one or special friend. Following are a few possibilities to consider.

	A gift included in your will or living trust can establish a lasting legacy.
	A gift of excess retirement funds, such as pension plans or Individual Retirement Accounts (IRA), may allow you to give more while eliminating taxes that may otherwise largely deplete these assets. In addition, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 includes the immediate and retroactive extension of the popular Pension Protection Act provision which allows taxpayers over 70 ½ to make tax-free distributions from their traditional and Roth IRAs (Individual Retirement Accounts) directly to charity in 2008 and 2009.
	A gift of life insurance that has fulfilled its original purpose may offer excellent tax benefits. Policies that you purchased to protect a loved one who no longer needs that protection can be an excellent way to make a gift in honor of that person.

Bequest Language
To create a bequest by will to a school or other charitable organization, simply inform your attorney when you are reviewing your plans. Often the change does not necessitate a new will but simply the addition of a codicil to your existing will.

To name The Elon School, or any charitable organization in your will or trusts, give your attorney its full legal name to use. To make a bequest to The Elon School use the following statement: "I leave to The Elon School, $_____ (or _____% of my estate or specific property) (or, all remaining assets and residue from my estate)."

Gifts made in any of these ways may serve to honor or remember special loved ones.

Please contact Jane Grosse at 336 584-0091 ext. 205 for information about making a gift to The Elon School or for further information about any of the above.

Contact Jane Grosse at jane.grosse@elonhomes.org to request a copy of the booklet Giving Alternatives for 2009.