Edward Capps Society | American School of Classical Studies at Athens

"We’ve included the American School in our estate planning because the exceptional programs offered and lifelong friendships formed there set us on courses for successful careers and we want to ensure the same for future generations."

– Nick and Dawn Popielski

Qualifications for the Edward Capps Society

Membership in The Edward Capps Society is available to any individual or couple who notifies the American School that they have completed an estate plan that includes a provision for the School or who have otherwise made a future or planned gift to the School, including to the Gennadius Library or any other department or program of the school.

Benefits of Your Membership

Members of the Edward Capps society will be invited to receptions and special events throughout the year. They share the pleasure of being recognized for their gift commitments during their lifetime. This evidence of their continuing support for the ASCSA can be a powerful incentive for others to make similar estate gifts to the School.

Qualifying Estate Gifts:

Through a charitable bequest in one’s will
By naming the ASCSA a beneficiary of a distribution from a revocable or irrevocable trust
By naming the ASCSA as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy
By naming the ASCSA as a beneficiary of an IRA or other retirement fund
By entering into a charitable remainder trust for the benefit of the ASCSA
By deeding – subject to the School’s prior approval – a house, farm, or vacation home to the ASCSA, while continuing to live on the property as long as the donor wishes (or as long as the donor/donor couple lives).

PLEASE NOTE: Several of these gift options provide not only estate tax benefit, but also possible charitable deductions for current income tax savings. Please be aware that some of the tax benefits of these gift vehicles may not be available to those filing taxes outside of the U.S.

What are planned gifts?*

Planned gifts are a variety of charitable giving methods that allow a donor to express his/her personal values by integrating their charitable, family and financial goals
Making a planned charitable gift usually requires the assistance of the charity’s development professional and/or a knowledgeable advisor such as an attorney, financial planner, or CPA to help structure the gift
Planned gifts can be made with cash, but many planned gifts are made by donating assets such as stocks, real estate, art pieces, or business interests—the possibilities are endless
Planned gifts can provide valuable tax benefits and/or lifetime income for the donor, their spouse or other loved ones
The most frequently-made planned gifts are bequests to charities, made through a will
Other popular planned gifts include charitable trusts and charitable gift annuities

As defined by the National Committee on Planned Giving

Why should someone consider a planned gift?

Many people want to make charitable gifts but need to do so in a way that helps meet their other personal, family, or financial needs. Planned gifts give donors the option for making their charitable gifts in ways that may allow them to:

Make a larger charitable gift than they thought possible
Increase their current income
Plan for the financial needs of a spouse or loved one
Provide inheritances for their heirs at a reduced tax cost
Reduce their income tax and/or avoid capital gains tax
Diversify their investment portfolio
Receive income from their personal residence or farm
Plan for the transfer of their business
Leave a charitable legacy for future generations

Making a gift through a Bequest in a Will

According to a study by the National Committee on Planned Giving:

11 percent of Americans have earmarked a charity in their will or made another form of a planned gift
One out of every four Americans plans to add a charitable beneficiary to their will
More than two-fifths of those who have already provided for a charity in their will are younger than 55

A bequest is one of the easiest and common ways for a donor to make a planned gift
Bequests work well for those who are unable to make an immediate gift but want to support a charity at some point in the future
Enables a donor to make a significant gift that may not have been possible during their lifetime
Tax laws encourage bequests
General bequests are the most popular way to make a gift by will – the donor leaves a specified dollar amount to their charity of choice
Wills are revocable and may be altered as life circumstances change
A bequest may provide for a specific dollar gift, a percentage of an estate, or specific asset(s) to be given to a charity in support of its various programs and services
Bequests can be designated for a specific purpose or given without restriction