There are a number of ways you can support The Cove School now - or in the future. Your generosity will allow us to continue to serve those who turn to Cove each year for specialized education and assistance. The following are some of the ways you may give to Cove.  Each item contains a link to additional information regarding that method of giving.

For more information, please contact Cove's Director of Advancement, Alexandra Argentar, at aargentar@coveschool.org.

Student Print Directory

The Cove School Student Directory is a unique opportunity for individuals and busnisses in the community to advertise. This program raises money to support school activities and classroom materials that enhance our students' learning. By placing an ad in the Student Directory, you are supporting Cove students, and in return, our community will want to support you too. Cove staff and families use the Student Directory throughout the year, offering your organization great exposure to families from all over the Chicagoland area. If you would like to submit an ad to the 2024-25 Print Directory, please contact Mai Ho at mho@coveschool.org.

Cash

You may make a check payable to The Cove School and submit it at our Main Office or it can be mailed to The Cove School / Attn: Advancement Department, 350 Lee Road, Northbrook, IL. 60062.

Or you may charge your gift to your credit card over the phone by calling our Advancement Department at (847) 562-2100 or you can make an online credit card payment through PayPal.  

Matching Gifts

Do you or your spouse or partner work for an organization or company that matches gifts to non-profit organizations, such as schools? Do you serve on a board of directors of an organization that matches gifts by their directors? Many companies offer matching gifts for employees, employees’ spouses/partners and some retirees. Request a matching gift form from the company’s benefits or personnel office and submit it with your payment. What a wonderful way to increase your gift to The Cove School!

Gifts of Property

Real estate might be a perfect gift to The Cove School because normally the sale of appreciated real estate often leads to capital gains taxes, real estate agent and attorney fees, etc. Many of these taxes can be avoided by involving a non-profit organization in your plans. Some donors may even choose to occupy the property for their life, with the asset becoming valuable to The Cove School upon death.

Appreciated Securities

A gift of appreciated securities that you have held for more than one year can sometimes be the most economical way to give. You will be eligible to take a federal income tax deduction equal to the fair market value of the stock on the date of the gift (for up to 30 percent of your adjusted gross income) and will not have to recognize the appreciation as capital gain.

To download a form to contribute appreciated securities/stock, click here

Tribute Gifts

Tribute Gifts are a thoughtful way to honor or remember a special person in your life. We acknowledge all tribute gifts with a special letter to the recipient. 

Bequest Through Will

We hope you'll consider including a gift to The Cove School in your will or living trust. Called a charitable bequest, this type of gift offers many benefits, including simplicity, flexibility and tax relief. 

You can make a specific gift to Cove of cash, securities, real estate or other property through your will, codicil or trust instrument. You can also designate Cove as the beneficiary of all or part of the remainder of your estate or trust after the payment of estate-related expenses or other bequests, or following the death of a spouse or other primary beneficiaries. Another way to include Cove in your estate plan is to name the school as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or life insurance policy.

A bequest or trust provision benefiting Cove may qualify your estate for an estate tax charitable deduction.

Retirement Plan Assets

Do you want to get the most value from your nest egg, protect your heirs from heavy taxes and make your mark at our organization? Consider leaving a portion of your retirement plan assets to The Cove School.

If you die with retirement plan assets in your estate, those assets are subject to income taxes. This can reduce the amount that normally would be passed to heirs by up to 39.6 percent. In contrast, as a nonprofit organization, we are tax-exempt and eligible to receive the full amount and bypass any federal taxes. Income taxes can be eliminated or reduced through a carefully planned charitable gift. Consider these gift options:

  • Designate The Cove School as the primary beneficiary for a percentage (1 to 100 percent) of your retirement plan assets.
  • Designate a specific amount to be paid to us before the remainder is divided among family beneficiaries.
  • Make us the contingent beneficiary to receive the balance only if your loved one, as primary beneficiary, doesn't survive you.

To implement your wishes, simply advise your plan administrator of your decision and sign whatever forms are required.
Leaving retirement plan assets to The Cove School shields your heirs from taxes on the retirement assets and frees you to give them other assets that are not as heavily taxed.

A Second Gift Option
You can also consider creating a charitable remainder trust for heavily taxed retirement plan assets. Such a trust could be set up to receive the proceeds of your retirement plan at your death. The trust would pay income for life to a family member of your choosing, after which the remaining assets pass to The Cove School.

Other Planned Giving Opportunities

Besides providing a bequest through your will or retirement plan, you may make planned gifts to The Cove School through certain charitable trust arrangements.  These vehicles can provide important tax and legal advantages to you, and provide certainty regarding the distribution of your estate assets. Your personal financial advisor or estate lawyer can assist in exploring these alternatives. 

For more information, please contact Cove's Director of Advancement, Alexandra Argentar, at aargentar@coveschool.org.