The 1748 Society is a group of caring individuals who have joined together to preserve a 250-year tradition at Wilmington Friends School -- offering young people an education that is rich in the Quaker values of intellectual independence, moral principles, academic rigor, and concern for others. Society members include alumni, current parents, parents of alumni, grandparents, faculty, staff, and friends of WFS. Regardless of their affiliation, members share a common commitment to ensuring that Friends School has the financial resources necessary to advance its mission.

To accomplish this, each member of the 1748 Society agrees to make a special planned gift to Friends School -- a gift that will have lasting impact. These gifts are placed in endowment to secure the long-term future of the school.

What is a Planned Gift?
A planned gift is any gift that is carefully designed to maximize a donor's financial and estate plans while, at the same time, supporting the long-term financial stability of an institution through endowment. Planned gifts can take a variety of forms. The simplest one is a bequest, which is the inclusion of Friends School in your will. Cash, securities, real estate, and tangible property can all be given through a bequest.

Another type of planned gift -- the Life-Income Gift -- allows you to contribute to Friends School now, enjoy immediate tax benefits, and retain an income stream for the rest of your life. Life-income options at Friends School include Gift Annuities, the WFS Pooled Income Fund, Remainder Trusts, and Lead Trusts.

Other planned giving options include naming Friends School as the owner and/or beneficiary of a life insurance policy or giving a residence while retaining the right to live in it for life or a period of years (Retained Life Estate).

Significant estate, gift, and income tax benefits are associated with all of these options, and the Development Office can give specific figures for any gift you are considering. You will:

• get an immediate charitable tax deduction with a 5-year carry over if needed.
• receive regular income for the rest of your life.
• increase your income from low-yield assets.
• avoid or save capital gains tax on appreciated assets.
• reduce your estate taxes for qualifying estates.
• free yourself of the burden of managing an investment.
• be giving a gift that benefits generations to come.

For More Information
The Development Office at Wilmington Friends School is available to answer your questions and assist you in choosing the Planned Gift option that is best for you. There will be no pressure or obligation when you contact us, and all information will remain strictly confidential. The decision to be part of the 1748 Society is a very personal one. Therefore, we will do everything possible to ensure that you feel comfortable with your choice. Please contact us at (302) 576-2980. We welcome your inquiries and look forward to sharing with you the benefits of becoming part of the 1748 Society.