Ways to Give

Annual Giving is a fundraising program that provides an opportunity for you to secure the continued quality of an ESA education. Support of the Annual Fund is critical to ESA as it benefits every facet of the school’s operation from faculty salaries and professional development to technology, college counseling, financial aid, the arts, athletics, and the performing arts. A gift to the Annual Fund is the first and most important gift we ask of every alumnus, parent, grandparent, faculty member, and friend.

Your participation is fundamental to assuring a solid financial future for ESA. A high percentage of giving by those closest to the school—the parents, alumni, grandparents, parents of alumni, faculty and staff—demonstrates the importance of philanthropy at ESA. Strong participation in the Annual Giving Campaign often positively influences contributions from foundations and corporations.

Publicly traded securities are the most common form of non-cash charitable gift asset. The most favorable tax treatment is generated by gifts of appreciated, long-term, capital-gain securities. Generally, the value of your charitable deduction will be equal to the average of the highest and lowest selling prices of the stock on the date the gift is completed. For purposes of calculating your charitable deduction for gifts of stock, you should contact your tax or financial advisor. For more information on how you can make a gift of stock to ESA, contact the Development Office at 337-365-1416.

The State of Louisiana offers an attractive tax incentive to encourage donors to give gifts of new computer equipment or technology to educational institutions, such as ESA. Under this program (LA R.S. 47:37), the State of Louisiana offers a special tax benefit to donors of new computer equipment to educational institutions whereby a donor gets a state income tax credit of 40% of the value of the donation. The donor also receives a corresponding federal tax deduction for the full value of the equipment. When considering such a donation, always consult your own financial or tax advisor. For more information on how you can support technology at ESA and benefit from this tax credit, contact the Development Office at 337-365-1416.

The ESA Board of Trustees recently completed and adopted a comprehensive strategic plan to guide the school’s continued advancement in the next three to five years. The Board has set goals to ensure the continued financial stability and future funds necessary for program and physical improvements at ESA. Money raised through capital campaigns will provide support for specific projects and opportunities that are outside of the operating budget. Capital funding opportunities are for endowment initiatives and building projects.

 

Endowment: Recognizing that ESA has a modest endowment by Independent School standards, the Board of Trustees is committed to building ESA’s endowment funds to secure the school for future generations of ESA students. The Board has undertaken the establishment of an endowment fund for faculty salaries and financial aid. Endowed principal funds will never be spent, allowing the earnings to be used in perpetuity to support the school’s programs and goals. Money given today for endowment funding will generate greater earnings over time and allow future generations to benefit from ESA’s excellent educational opportunities.

 

Buildings: The Board has identified as a priority the renewal of existing facilities and the addition of new facilities to support and strengthen ESA’s program offerings. ESA’s Cade campus classroom buildings, originally designed as temporary classrooms, have served students for many years. As they continue to age, these buildings must be regularly maintained and refurbished if the classrooms are to serve another generation of ESA students. Additionally, new facilities are needed to support growing programs in athletics, the arts and the Lower School. We must continue to develop ESA’s physical facilities in order to provide the best possible educational experience for our students.
For more information about how to support ESA with a gift to endowment or facilities improvements, please contact the Development Office at 337-365-1416.

Planned giving allows you to leave a legacy to Episcopal School of Acadiana using estate-planning vehicles. Parents, grandparents, alumni, parents of alumni and friends are encouraged to consider giving a gift that will endure for generations by remembering ESA in their will or when doing estate planning.

 

Testamentary Bequests, Gifts of Retirement Plan Assets, Gifts of Life Insurance, Charitable Remainder Trusts and Charitable Lead Trusts are just a few of the financial planning strategies that could benefit you, your family and ESA. While each gift made is unique, planned gifts can provide significant financial or tax benefits to you while ensuring ESA remains financially strong in the future.

 

When considering a planned gift, always consult with your financial, tax and/or legal advisors. If you would like more information, or would like to schedule a joint meeting with your legal or financial advisor, please contact the Development Office at 337-365-1416.

For more information about giving opportunities, please call, email or write the Episcopal School of Acadiana Development Office. Your inquiry is confidential and places you under no obligation to give. Episcopal School of Acadiana is a 501(c)(3) Louisiana non-profit corporation.