Donate in memory of Dr. Jon Clark

For over 22 years, Dr. Jon Clark, former principal of Webster Groves High School, compassionately championed the success of each and every student. Dr. Clark’s focus was PEOPLE, and students and staff felt seen and heard. His passion for students, staff, and community was undeniable and unforgettable. He dreamed big and worked tirelessly to see his vision of Webster Groves High School realized. Dr. Clark’s altruistic efforts launched such innovative programs as Future Leaders, the Statesmen Center/alternative school, Makerspace, and the Chelsea Detrick Experiential Learning Center, making WGHS one of the highest ranked high schools in the state. During his tenure, WGHS achieved record-high AP, SAT and ACT scores. Dr. Clark was also named St. Louis Association of Secondary Schools Principal of the Year in 2005.

Dr. Clark shared his vision with the Webster Groves Community, saying, “The efforts of our students, parents, and community members empower us to improve our school. By joining forces to communicate ideas, to share thoughts, and to share our vision, we make Webster Groves continue to be the outstanding community it is and WGHS the most effective high school that it can be.”

His vision for WGHS also included the WGHS Library becoming a common space for students that is welcoming, inclusive, and designed for collaboration, while providing innovative learning opportunities and visually welcoming study spaces. Although a lack of funding at the time made this vision difficult to materialize, we now have the opportunity to realize this vision and to honor Dr. Clark’s life of compassion and legacy. Please consider donating to the Jon Clark Memorial Fund for the renovation of the WGHS Library.

  • DONATE BY CREDIT CARD

  • DONATE BY CHECK

    Kindly make your check payable to “WGSD Foundation” with “in memory of Jon Clark” in the memo and mail to:

    WGSD Foundation
    400 East Lockwood Ave.
    Webster Groves, MO  63119

WGSD Foundation Planned Giving

CREATE YOUR LEGACY
Impact Future Generations

A planned gift could enable you to make a more significant contribution to WGSD students than you thought possible while still meeting your personal financial and estate-planning goals.

Planned gifts can offer you increased annual income, immediate and carry-over tax deductions, and relief from capital-gains taxes. Also, if your gift is made through a bequest, it can defray the tax burden on your heirs.

The information provided herein is educational in nature and not to be considered legal, tax or investment advice. We strongly recommend consulting with your tax or financial professional when considering a planned gift or gifting to the WGSD Foundation.

  • Wills and Living Trusts

    In as little as one sentence, you can complete your gift to the WGSD Foundation. By including WGSD Foundation in your will or living trust, you ensure we can continue creating brighter futures for our WGSD students for years to come.

    You can give a specific amount of cash or security, a piece of property, or a percentage of your estate. Planned gifts of $25,000 or more can be restricted for a specific purpose, such as a named scholarship. If not restricted, all planned gifts will be for unrestricted use to benefit the foundation’s mission and programs.

    Suggested language to discuss with your legal counsel while developing your will or trust:

    • Unrestricted Bequest: “I give and bequeath to WGSD Foundation, Federal EIN # 43-1495249, (please insert dollar figure or estate percentage), for the use and benefit of the mission and general purposes of the WGSD Foundation.”
    • Restricted Bequest: “I give and Bequeath to WGSD Foundation, Federal EIN# 43-1495249, (please insert dollar figure or estate percentage), to establish the (for example, the John Doe Named Award Science Scholarship) ”

    What if you decide to change it? You can. Your will or trust can be altered. Even so, informing us of your gift allows us to work with you to use your gift as you intend and to thank you for your generosity.

  • Beneficiary Designations

    You can promote our work and benefit future generations of Webster Groves School District by designating the WGSD Foundation as a beneficiary on your:

    • IRAs and retirement plans
    • Life insurance policies
    • Donor advised funds
    • Commercial annuities
    • Bank and brokerage accounts

    It only takes three simple steps to make this type of gift. Here’s how to name WGSD Foundation as a beneficiary:

    • Contact the administrator of your retirement plan, insurance policy, bank or brokerage account or donor advised fund for a beneficiary designation form (or change-of-beneficiary form). You could also simply download a form from your provider’s website.
    • Decide what percentage (1 to 100) you would like us to receive and name us, along with the percentage you chose, on the beneficiary form.
    • Return the completed form to your plan administrator, insurance company, bank or financial institution.

    What if you decide to change it? You can. Beneficiaries can be altered at any time. Review your policy periodically to ensure your beneficiary designations are up-to-date.

  • Charitable IRA Gifts

    • IRA Distribution (70 ½ or older): You can give any amount up to $105,000 from your IRA directly to WGSD Foundation. You will not pay income taxes on the transfer. If you are 73 or older, you can use this transfer to satisfy your required minimum distribution. Remember, your gift must be postmarked by December 31 in order to qualify this year.
      • Since the gift doesn’t count as income, it can reduce your annual income level. This may help lower your Medicare premiums and decrease the amount of Social Security that is subject to tax.

    Tip: It’s critical to let us know of your gift because many retirement plan administrators assume no obligation to notify a charity of your designation. Additionally, informing us of your gift allows us to work with you to use your gift as you intend and to thank you for your generosity.

  • Donor-Advised Fund

    Contribute to a donor-advised fund and enjoy tax savings on that amount when you itemize.

    When retirement plan assets pass to your heirs, distributions are taxed as ordinary income. This income tax burden can be substantial, greatly reducing the value of the intended gift. Instead, you can designate your donor advised fund as the beneficiary of all or a portion of your retirement plan assets. Your fund receives the full amount of the gift and bypasses any federal taxes. Remember, complete the contribution by December 31 to receive the tax benefits. You can designate the funds later.

  • Appreciated Securities (Stocks, Mutual Funds, or ETFs)

    You may enjoy two tax benefits with a gift of appreciated stock: Avoid paying taxes on the appreciated value and qualify for an income tax charitable deduction based on today’s market value, when you itemize. Remember, all transfers must be completed by December 31, including electronic transfer or hand-delivery of the securities.

    Tip: Many custodians of brokerage accounts will have a cutoff in early December to donate appreciated securities, it is recommended you work with your financial advisor to initiate this process before December of a calendar year.

  • Matching Gift

    Don’t forget to take advantage of your employer’s matching gift program and multiply your donation!

WGSD Foundation is a tax-exempt, 501c3 charitable organization, Federal EIN # 43-1495249.

Donor Privacy Policy: WGSD Foundation will not sell, rent, trade or transfer your personal information to outside organizations. Use of donor information will be limited to the internal purposes of WGSD Foundation and only to further its mission.

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