The Seyhan Eğe Legacy Society is inspired by the largest bequest ever received by the Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor, a gift from Seyhan N. Eğe, PhD, a brilliant teacher and distinguished professor of chemistry at the University of Michigan. Seyhan was both a chemistry teacher and Board member at our school. We gratefully acknowledge her generous gift, which built our Middle School and launched the capital campaign.
"Meredith and I thought it was responsible to have a simple estate plan, and we named the Steiner School as a beneficiary, so that other students could receive a Waldorf education in the future."
Knut and Meredith Hill (LS Alum ’89 and parents)
Making a gift to Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor using appreciated stock, real estate, IRA Charitable Rollover, charitable trust, or life insurance can be beneficial - whether for the tax benefits that planned gifts offer, the financial flexibility they afford, or the lasting legacy they can help a donor leave behind. There is a type of planned gift that will allow you to make a significant impact on our school through your estate plan. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss your long-term charitable goals.
Planned Gifts
Bequests: Naming Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor as a beneficiary in your will 
or in a codicil to your will. Most planned gifts are bequests. They allow a donor to make a larger contribution after death than is generally possible during their lifetime. The donor receives an estate tax charitable deduction for this gift. You can fill out the Bequest Form and return to the development office.
IRA Charitable Rollover: An IRA Charitable Rollover is a direct transfer of funds from your IRA payable to Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor or other non-profit. They can be counted toward satisfying your required minimum distributions (RMDs) and if you are over 70 1/2, this may keep your taxable income lower. Contact your IRA Administrator to make a distribution. You can use this sample letter to send to your IRA Administrator.
Donor Advised Fund (DAF): A donor-advised fund is an account at a sponsoring organization, generally a public charity, where an individual can make a charitable gift to receive an immediate tax benefit and retain advisory privileges to disburse charitable gifts over time to various non-profits. Donate cash, stocks or non-publicly traded assets such as private business interests, cryptocurrency and private company stock to your DAF.
Stocks, mutual funds or securities: Donate appreciated stocks,
mutual funds or securities to eliminate capital gains taxes and at the same time give a gift to our school.
Life Insurance Plans: The transfer of ownership of a life insurance policy on the donor's life to Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. The donor continues to pay any premiums after the gift is made, for which they receive an income tax deduction. The total investment in the life insurance policy is also tax-deductible.
Retirement Assets: Naming Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor as a beneficiary of the any balance remaining in an IRA, 401(k), or other retirement plan at the time of death. The amount that is gifted is not subject to income tax or estate tax (as it would be if left to an individual).
Charitable Lead Trust: A trust created by the donor that provides an income stream to our school for a specified term of years. When the trust terminates, the principal goes to beneficiaries chosen by the donor. The donor does not incur income tax on the income stream paid to the School. The gift tax, on the principal passing the beneficiaries, is reduced or eliminated.
Life Income Gifts (Charitable Remainder Trust or Charitable Gift Annuity): A trust or annuity created by the donor that provides an income to the donor's beneficiaries for a specified term of years. When the trust or annuity terminates, the principle is paid to Rudolf Steiner School of Ann Arbor. The donor receives an immediate income tax deduction for the value of the deferred gift of the principal to the School.
Remainder in Real Estate: A gift of real estate (such as a home or a vacation home) that allows a donor to reserve the right to live in and use the property for the rest of his or her life. The donor receives an income tax deduction for the value of the deferred gift. Our school receives the property upon the donor's death.
The material presented here is intended as general educational information on the topics discussed herein and should not be interpreted as legal, financial or tax advice. Please seek the specific advice of your tax advisor, attorney and/or financial planner to discuss the application of these topics to your individual situation.
Please contact Lisa Zuber, Development Associate, to inform her of your gift or to discuss your long-term charitable goals. lzuber@steinerschool.org or 734-669-9394.
