Endowment

The Al and Marjo Price Endowment Fund

The CIS Endowment supports the educational mission of Columbia Independent School and ensures the future of our school through long-term investment.

The primary goal of the endowment is to support CIS through programs such as scholarship, tuition assistance, professional development, and to endowed positions. The CIS endowment also allows us to remain competitive as an independent school and maintain our status as a high-ranking educational institution.

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Ways to Give

Gifts of cash are the most traditional form of giving to support the permanent endowment of CIS. A tax-deductible donation to CIS lives in perpetuity and will be continually invested to provide funding every year to our community.

Make a Donation

Making a donation to CIS of appreciated long-term investments allows you to potentially eliminate your capital gains tax. If you donate your stock directly to CIS, rather than selling the assets, you can increase the amount available for the charity. The donor may also claim a fair market value charitable deduction for the tax year in which the gift is eligible. Please consult with a tax advisor for more information.

In utilizing a donor advised fund, CIS is considered a 501(c)(3) charity and is approved to receive these donations. The owner can advise the fund custodian to direct the donation to CIS.

Charitable Remainder Trust (CRT):

In a CRT, the donor transfers their cash or appreciated property to fund a CIS charitable remainder trust. The trust provides income to you or to other named income beneficiaries for life, a set number of years, or a combination of the two. Then the charity receives the trust upon your passing. Charitable remainder trusts can help you avoid capital gains taxes on the sale of your appreciated assets and offer a charitable income tax deduction for the remainder portion of your gift.

Charitable Lead Trust (CLT):

A CLT allows the donor to designate heirs as the beneficiaries while providing CIS with an income stream for a set term of years. The donor transfers assets to CIS or a trustee of their choice, and during the term of years, a fixed or variable income is paid to CIS. At the end of the term, the assets are transferred to their heirs. The charitable trust allows this transfer of assets at a reduced gift and estate tax cost. This type of trust can have advantages for individuals with a high net-worth.

A bequest designates CIS as the beneficiary of assets through a will, trust, or beneficiary designation form. The donor maintains ownership control of assets during their life and then makes a gift of the asset to CIS upon death. A bequest establishes the donor’s intentions today and allows for a lasting legacy to future generations. If you are making a bequest to CIS, please let us know and complete our “Advice of Gift” form.

At age 70 1/2 or older, donors can take advantage of the IRA qualified charitable distribution (QCD) to avoid federal income taxes on a gift, yet still meet the required minimum distribution (RMD) which begins at age 72. Retirement plan assets are often taxed at high rates.

Therefore, it can be advantageous to pass other assets to heirs that are taxed at lower rates and donate retirement plan assets, such as 401(k), 403(b) or IRAs to CIS. It is also possible to name CIS as a retirement plan beneficiary, which can also have tax advantages.

Appreciated real property such as a home, vacation property, vacant land, farmland, ranch, or commercial property can be donated to CIS by bequeathing the property, giving the property outright, transferring the property into a charitable remainder trust, or establishing a retained life estate.

A retained life estate is established when a residence or vacation property is donated to CIS but reserve the use of the property for your life and/or the life of another beneficiary. Gifts of this type may reduce capital gains taxes and allow for a greater charitable income tax deduction, while the value of the real estate is taken out of the taxable estate.

For more information, please contact us:

Office of Advancement

Columbia Independent School

1801 N. Stadium Blvd.
Columbia, MO 65202

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Management of the Endowment

The investments of the CIS Endowment are managed by Eagle Bluffs Wealth Management. Eagle Bluffs is based in Columbia, Missouri, and provides concierge-style wealth management and financial planning services by building close relationships with a small group of individuals, families, and corporations who are looking to protect and grow their wealth.

The representatives at Eagle Bluffs can be reached by calling (573) 507-9084 or visiting their website at EagleBluffs.com.