The Joy of Giving

Westridge taught us...always be a learner, ask questions, and seek information. So I did just that, about the topic of giving. At 77, I learned information that would be beneficial to me, as well as Westridge. For many readers, this may be old information, but perhaps to some, it might help guide your decisions on your journey to the joy of giving to Westridge.

Four Insights For Giving

1. Gifting to Celebrate Milestone Events
   As I live in Northern California, my visits to Westridge are infrequent and reunions become milestone events for me. Reunions and special events on campus give me the opportunity to hug and reconnect with classmates, and again renew my understanding of the exceptional educational program provided by Westridge. My commitment to give is, as always, once again renewed.
   
   An example was a serendipitous conversation that occurred during my recent 60th reunion. At the local hotel where I was staying, an exchange with the manager revealed a Westridge connection. His daughter has been a student in Partnership for Success!, a 28-year-old collaboration of four independent schools (including Westridge) with the Pasadena public schools that provides summer enrichment for lowincome, high-potential students. The words of praise and gratitude he expressed caused me to understand that the influence of Westridge on young people's lives stretches beyond Madeline Drive. The words we hear at reunions about the Westridge commitment to community, far and near, were now a reality for me.
2. Make your gift a 'forever' gift
   Asking questions caused me to rethink my usual method of giving, which was writing a check to the annual fund. I became aware that specifying the gift to the endowment would enable my gift to grow in perpetuity. However, this strategy raised another question for me. May I direct my gift to endowment?
3. Directing your gift
   Yes, directing your dollars to the Westridge endowment is certainly an option. During my eight years at Westridge, I became very involved in drama and 60 years ago, as a senior, was the president of the then Mask and Brush drama club. The lifelong learning from that experience greatly impacted my personal and professional life. For me, a designated gift to the current theater department was a small way to say thanks for the memories and acknowledge the theater department's current outstanding work.
4. Strategy of Increasing Resources for Giving
   Believe it or not, there are some perks to growing older! Over the years, I contributed to IRAs with pretax dollars. When reaching the age of 70½, I was required to withdraw (required minimum distribution) a given amount each year and pay taxes on that amount.
   
   I learned that if you do not take those dollars directly, but instead contribute them to a qualified nonprofit, you are not required to pay taxes on that amount. Thus, I was able to participate in the joy of giving with more resources for Westridge.

Please join me in the joy of giving at whatever level possible and say THANK YOU to our alma mater that every year demonstrates its motto, "Surgere Tentamus." For more information on how you can make a difference for Westridge girls, contact Diana Bernal O’Leary at 626.799.1153 or doleary@westridge.org.