Build a Legacy of
Learning
High Jump’s Future Scholars make a commitment to bring equity to education for middle schoolers of limited economic means in Chicago today and for the years to come. By joining our planned giving society, you can build an intergenerational link between your personal passion for education and the lives and educational journeys of thousands of High Jump scholars of tomorrow.
“High Jump is a thriving testament that every little bit of investment we make in our communities and the scholars of tomorrow compounds exponentially as time goes by.”
Dilara Akgunduz Lesser, High Jump Alum, Young Professionals Board member
Nurturing the Next Generation of Leaders
High Jump exists to serve an everlasting need – ensuring that students’ abilities and ambitions are never limited by a lack of opportunity. Thirty-five years ago, we served 16 students. Now, we provide over 500 young scholars every year with the right resources at the right time, unlocking future upward economic mobility and empowering them to forge their own paths to thrive in high school, college, and beyond.
A Mission That's More Vital than Ever
As the need for High Jump continues to grow, your generous planned giving support will ensure that we can continue to meet this need and continue to make this impact on the changemakers of tomorrow.
Join our seed members who have already made a generous commitment to High Jump’s Future Scholars
- Eleanor Nicholson
- Larry Hess
- Sally Carton
Eleanor Nicholson
Founder of High Jump
Member Benefits
All donors who make a planned gift pledge to High Jump receive the following benefits:
- Priority recognition in High Jump’s annual report and at annual benefit
- Invitation to the exclusive annual Sustaining Leaders Fund Luncheon featuring an inspiring voice in the Chicago community
- Access to annual Learners & Leaders panel discussion with High Jump’s Executive Director
- Opportunity to see the program in action at campus tours, the annual moving up ceremony, and more
Make a gift through your:
- Will or living trust
- Charitable IRA rollover
- Life insurance policy
- Charitable lead trust
- Charitable remainder trust or gift annuity
- Retirement plan assets
You will find more information about these options below.
Ways to Give
You can make a planned gift to High Jump in many ways which you can discuss with your financial advisor.
Will or Living Trust
Making a gift in your will or living trust, known as a bequest, can guarantee that your legacy endures. Your gift may be a specific dollar amount, a percentage of your estate, or the remainder after all other provisions are specified.
For an unrestricted gift that allows High Jump to determine how to use the funds based on the most pressing needs, use the following language for your will and/or trust:
"I give to High Jump, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 820 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property] for its unrestricted charitable use and purpose."
To designate your provision for a particular purpose:
"I give to High Jump, a nonprofit corporation currently located at 820 West Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL 60607, or its successor thereto, _________ [written amount or percentage of the estate or description of property]. This gift should be used for (state purpose) if and so long as High Jump determines that the need exists. If High Jump shall determine at the outset or at a later time that the need does not exist, or no longer exists, or for some reason it is not possible (or prudent) to administer my gift as originally intended, then High Jump may, in its sole and uncontrolled discretion, direct the use of my bequest for a purpose related as closely as possible to that stated above."
Charitable IRA rollover or Qualified Charitable Distribution
By making a charitable IRA rollover, you can give any amount (up to a maximum of $105,000) annually to High Jump without having to pay taxes on the gift. You can also use this gift to satisfy all or part of your required minimum distribution. To utilize this method, you must be 70 ½ years of age or older and the gift must be transferred directly from a traditional or Roth IRA directly by December 31st of the corresponding tax year.
Life Insurance Policy
If you have a paid-up life insurance policy that you no longer need, you can transfer ownership of that policy to High Jump or name High Jump as a beneficiary. You may be entitled to an immediate tax benefit for the cash surrender value of your policy.
Charitable Lead Trust
A charitable lead trust is an irrevocable trust that can provide guaranteed financial support to High Jump for a period of time, with the remaining assets going to family members or other beneficiaries at the end of the term.
Charitable Remainder Trust or Gift Annuity
A charitable remainder trust is an irrevocable trust that provides you with an income stream for a term of years or for life which, at the end of the trust term, provides High Jump with the remaining trust assets. You will receive an immediate tax benefit when you fund your Charitable Remainder Trust.
Retirement Plan Assets
You can revocably name High Jump as a beneficiary of all or a portion of the balance of your qualified retirement plans, allowing you to exempt your retirement benefits from estate and income taxes that your heirs would incur if designated as your beneficiaries.
Have questions, or want to learn more about making a Future Scholars planned gift? Please contact Jill Reid, Chief Advancement Officer, at [email protected] or (312) 582-7716
Pledge Form
If you are ready to make a planned gift pledge to High Jump, you can do so by filling out this pledge form.