Giving to RPS
Rutgers Preparatory School celebrates a rich history of diversity, community, and excellence in education. The wonderful opportunities we have to offer our students come from the dedication, both past and present, of our faculty, staff, administration, and those who are willing to volunteer their time and support with the idea that an RPS education is a unique and worthy investment.
Although it is the oldest independent school in New Jersey, when Rutgers Preparatory School separated from Rutgers University in 1957, the university retained all of the assets accumulated over almost 200 years. Consequently, RPS has a very modest endowment. Couple this limited endowment with the fact that tuition covers only 88% of the cost of educating each student, and the need for financial support is clear.
Rutgers Preparatory School seeks charitable gifts to maintain the high quality of programs and offer new opportunities for our students and faculty. As an Independent School, RPS receives no government funds for our campus facilities. To renovate and improve existing structures or create new buildings we must rely on gifts from parents, grandparents, alumni, and friends!
A Brief History of Giving: 1988-2011
We are proud to report that in the last 23 years our community has invested over $16,000,000 in improved facilities, including:
- The Kaufelt Fine Arts Center
- The Silverman Library/Technology Center
- A second gymnasium
- The music building
- A multi-purpose barn
- The Heinlein Classrooms Wing
- Renovations to the Elm Farm Building
- The turf field
- An expanded system of roads and parking
- New athletic facilities - including most recently the tennis courts
- The Pegeen O'Connell Dining Commons
Your Participation's Impact
Every gift is important to the success of Rutgers Prep and the continuation of our mission. Only through private contributions will we be able to meet essential needs and increasing operating costs. With the new Dining Commons opening for the 2011 school year, we also look forward to completing the Learning Commons: ten new classrooms on the second floor of the new building. With the completion of this project we will celebrate improved labs and classrooms, greater flexibility in scheduling, and increased accessibility of teachers.
Annual Giving
The Annual Fund is the foundation on which all of Rutgers Prep's fundraising efforts are built. Annual gifts go directly to support the activities of teachers and students this year, including helping to close the 12% gap between tuition and the true cost of educating a Rutgers Prep student. Last year the Annual Fund received $543,475 in charitable contributions from parents, alumni, grandparents, alumni parents, foundations, and corporations, with gifts ranging from $25 to $50,000 for improvements at RPS. Unrestricted gifts to the Annual Fund support every aspect of student life and all gifts are appreciated, as participation percentages are very important to foundations, corporations, and major donors.
Giving Levels
Dr. John Cochran Leadership Giving Society
|
Benefactors |
$10,000+ |
Giving Recognition Clubs
|
Fellows |
$1,000-$1,765 |
Matching Gifts
Many employers also offer matching gift programs, which occur when participating companies match the amount given by employees or retirees. This is a great opportunity to often double, or even triple the impact of your support! Matching gift forms can be obtained from the participating company and submitted any time after a gift has been made. You can check with the Development Office or your company's Human Resources department to see if you are eligible for a matching gift.
empower Campaign
The empower Campaign differs from Annual Giving in that it is specific and long-term in its goal of providing RPS students and faculty with the facilities and programs to prepare for a rapidly changing world. We are currently in the third phase of this endeavor, which was created to raise the funds necessary for building a new Dining Commons, ten additional classrooms, and the Performing Arts Center.
We have recently completed the new Dining Commons, which was opened for the fall of 2011, and are looking for key gifts in order to finish the second floor, which will include ten new classrooms. This will address issues with scheduling constraints and flexibility, increase the number of courses we can offer, allow for specialized room use, and keep class sizes optimal.
Named Giving Opportunities
While we hope for and need the participation of every Rutgers Prep family, major gifts are essential for our success. We are happy to provide the opportunity to honor an individual or your family by making a gift to name a part of the new building.
|
The Building |
$1 million or more |
Wall of Honor in the Dining Commons
Donors pledging $50,000 will appear on a Foundation Stone on the Wall of Honor.
Donors pledging $10,000 will appear on the Donor Tree on the Wall of Honor.
If you are interested in a naming opportunity, please contact Jim Ackerman, the Director of Development at (732) 545-5600 ext. 237 or by email at ackerman@rutgersprep.org.
Ways to Give
There are a number of beneficial and tax wise ways to support Rutgers Preparatory School. RPS is a charitable organization described in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, and contributions to the School are usually deductible from federal income taxes. You should consult with your tax advisor for further information about the tax benefits of charitable giving.
- Gifts of Cash: A cash gift may entitle you to an income tax deduction for the year in which the gift was made. Your gift benefits RPS right away and you may save on current year taxes.
- Gifts of Securities: An outright gift of appreciated securities which have been held for more than one year may mean substantial tax savings at the fair market value of the securities at the time of the gift while avoiding Capital Gains taxes as well.
- Real Estate Gifts: A donor may contribute a residence, commercial buildings, or developed or undeveloped real property. A remainder interest in a residence may also be donated provided that the value is significantly in excess of the mortgage. The Board of Trustees must approve that the real estate is immediately salable and that temporary ownership will not create the risk of imposing a liability under federal or state laws. If property has previously been held for more than one year, generally the donor may be entitled to an income tax deduction for the value of the property (or the remainder), and the donor will not incur a capital gains tax.
- Gifts of Tangible Personal Property: A donor may contribute tangible, personalproperty such as paintings, antiques, silver, jewelry, etc., subject to the Trustees' acceptance. The income tax deduction available to the donor depends upon the type of property contributed and the School's use of the property. It is the responsibility of the donor and his/her tax advisor to assign a value to this gift for tax purposes and a certified appraisal may be necessary.
- Gifts-In-Kind: Gifts-in-kind are non-monetary contributions given for use at the School. The Development Office assigns no dollar value to these gifts but does furnish a gift receipt. It is the responsibility of the donor and his/her tax advisor to assign a value to this gift for tax purposes. A certified appraisal is usually required for items with values over $5,000.
- Matching Gifts: Matching gifts occur when participating companies match the amount given by employees or retirees. The donor must make his/her gift and complete the company's matching gift form. Some companies double or triple gift amounts. To find out if your employer matches gifts to RPS, contact your Human Resources department or ask the RPS Development staff to check for you.
- Planned Gifts: Planned gifts allow you to make an impact on the School's future and often provide retirement planning, estate, and substantial tax benefits. RPS welcomes gifts with a deferred benefit such as remainder and lead trusts, gifts of life insurance, or bequests in wills. Please contact Jim Ackerman in the Development Office at: (732) 545-5600 ext. 237 or by email at ackerman@rutgersprep.org if you would like more information or to discuss such a gift.
Jim Ackerman
Director of Development
(732) 545-5600 ext. 237
Terry Ladd
Development Associate
(732) 545-5600 ext. 245
Maria Winter
Director of Alumni Relations
(732) 545-5600 ext. 213