I Will Campaign

HOW WILL YOU

REMEMBER THACHER?

WILL CdeP STAND FOREVER By simply including a provision in my

I can rest assured that the philosophy and unique traditions of

along with the moral pillars of honor, fairness, kindness, and truth on which it does firmly

will continue to shape and mold the leaders of tomorrow

One of the great benefits of my position at Thacher is traveling across the United States to meet and share fond memories of school days past with dozens of former Toads and friends—some of them my former students. In my efforts to encourage gifts and giving for Thacher, I realize I’ve been given my own gifts.

Over a cup of coffee, I am often treated to a bit of “real” Thacher history: stories that owe their long and exaggerated lives to the oral tradition; ramblings on the rough house; remembrances of school dances with girls bused in from Pasadena; tales of ghosts in the Upper School; accounts of legendary instruction from such admired educators as Anson Thacher, Marvin Shagam, Denise and Bob Miller, Jesse Kahle, Fred Lamb, Jack Huyler, Phyllis and David Johnston, and Chuck Warren, to name only a few.

Inevitably, the conversation turns to horses. Their horse. My horse. Your horse. At once, we are transported back to a cherished time long ago when a good part of every day was spent with the fourlegged friend we had learned to love. We all agree, Thacher is a uniquely magical place. A place worth preserving for generations to come.

I want to thank each and every one of you for sharing your time, memories, passion, and support—both moral and financial. Your ongoing care nourishes the soul of this special institution.

“

RAMBLINGS ON THE ROUGH HOUSE; REMEMBRANCES OF SCHOOL DANCES WITH GIRLS BUSED IN FROM PASADENA; TALES OF GHOSTS IN THE UPPER SCHOOL.

“

Dear Friends,

By including Thacher in my

WILL I am assured that important traditions such as camping and

HORSES can not only

As you spend some time reading this brochure, I ask that you give careful thought to the central question posed:

How will you remember Thacher?

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Warm Regards,

Karleanne Rogers Director of Legacy Gifts

SURVIVE

but continue to thrive, changing hundreds of future Toads’ lives forever.

Boot Hill Legacy Society Giving that is alive with potential.

Two Thacher trustees, John R. Metcalf CdeP 1933, and Robert E. Hunter CdeP 1940 founded Boot Hill Legacy Society in 1971. Both of them recognized that estate planning tended to be an unnecessarily gloomy topic of conversation—in spite of its importance to future generations.

What’s in a name?

The Boot Hill of today is building the Thacher of tomorrow.

All those who have loved the life and traditions of The Thacher School are given the opportunity to help provide for the future of the School— through bequests of any amount. These legacy gifts may include naming the School as a beneficiary of a life insurance policy, the donation of real estate, or participation in one of several “life income” vehicles.

The harshness of frontier life required making a joke out of everything unpleasant. It wasn’t the birth of stand-up comedy. It was the only way to survive. Metcalf and Hunter borrowed their name from the storied graveyards of the West, where cowboys were often unceremoniously buried with their boots on.

Live happily ever now.

Setting an irreverent tone.

Membership involves no dues, obligations, or solicitations, but it does allow us to thank you and recognize you for the plans you have made.

Undoubtedly, it inspires generosity in others, a lasting legacy unto itself.

The announcement of this new giving society properly included a few epitaphs from the infamous Boot Hill Cemetery in Dodge City, Kansas.

One cattle rustler’s cause of death was stated briefly: “Too Many Irons in the Fire.” Poems were popular: “Here Lies Lester Moore, Four Slugs from a .44, No Less, No More.” But overall, most were no-nonsense: “He was a good man, boys, but he’s gone now, so let’s bury him and get on with the horseshoeing!”

I want to remember Thacher in my

WILL to ensure that Thacher and hundreds of future Toads

BENEFIT

Original charter members numbered 27—the number of those supposedly buried at Boot Hill. Today, there are approximately 400 Boot Hill members, living and deceased. The youngest Boot Hill member is 25; the oldest is 97.

Naturally, the most important benefit gained from joining Boot Hill Legacy Society is the satisfaction derived from making a lasting contribution to Thacher’s long-term prosperity and the nurturing of human potential.

These Boots Were Made For Giving

Robert Marble CdeP 1966 donated a pair of silvered cowboy boots to the School.

Then-Headmaster Newton Chase penned the following verses in gratitude, providing testimony again to the power of a smile: Come blow your horn in raucous toot In honor of the silver boot.

There ain’t a man on old Boot Hill Who lies in state so cold and still, Who ever wore such pirate loot.

We send our thanks to Marble Bob For arranging such a job, That sparkles, shines, and blinds the eyes Of all who glance at such a prize.

So, for the future have no fear.

With boots like these upon one’s bier, To the nether regions one can’t fall.

You get the biggest cloud of all Along with thanks and rousing cheer.

I

know that by including Thacher in my

WILL

the future of the School—students, teachers, staff, alumni, and the

REST of the Thacher community—will be

ASSURED of the same life-changing and life-affirming experience I was so fortunate to enjoy.

Justin Buell CdeP 1998 Remembers Thacher

Alice and Clarke Thacher Parents of Sara CdeP 2000 Remember Thacher

Legacy Gift: Bequest

Legacy Gift: Real Estate

“I was thrilled to learn I could make a meaningful commitment to Thacher at this stage in my life. Casa de Piedra holds a special place in my heart and my unique Thacher experiences are among the most influential in my life. My teachers’ guidance, care, and concern for me during those critical, formative years, helped to mold me into the person I am today.”

Upon the completion of Photo by Marc Banka daughter Sara’s admission visit, Alice and Clarke sat in the Outdoor Chapel watching the setting sun, turned to each other, and said, “This is the place.” They chose to leave a legacy to Thacher because they love the School, it fit easily into their estate planning, and they wanted other families to have the same educational and social opportunities their daughter experienced.

I WILL Libby DeLana and Henry Fox Parents of Orren ‘15 Remember Thacher Legacy Gift: Bequest “Why did we choose to leave a legacy to Thacher? The list is endless: our family’s tradition of philanthropy; the fact that Libby’s mom was a teacher; the devotion of Henry’s dad to the schools he attended; avocados; horses; Pink Moments; swimming in February; Mike Mulligan; freshman prefect Miles Fosset CdeP 2012 and his impact on our son; to ensure the future of Thacher. We love all of you and are so happy Orren is there.”

Toby and Amy Elmore Former Faculty Remember Thacher Legacy Gift: Percentage of Roth IRA “We will always be fond of Thacher and believe that the care and attention given to students is remarkable. Once a year, we update our estate plans. For some, this may sound like a painful event. For us, it is exciting. On this day, with a couple of keystrokes, we get to be great philanthropists. We get to plan and create a legacy. This legacy includes Thacher.”

John Carver CdeP 1953 Remembers Thacher Legacy Gift: Charitable Remainder Trust, Bequest “Thacher changed me, changed my whole life for the better. I absolutely love the School. I’ve always felt indebted for the wonderful, life-changing experiences I had while there. Leaving a legacy is one of the things I can do now to give back. I feel strongly that a dollar given to Thacher has much more leverage than a dollar given to any other charitable organization.”

Gifts Anyone Can Afford The Benefits of Legacy Creation

Anyone, Anytime, Any Amount Creating your Thacher legacy can be a simple, quick and painless process. The basic design of these gifts aims to reduce impact on cash flow, and maintain current lifestyles, without jeopardizing family security.

If you already have a will, you need only add the School as an additional beneficiary. If you have not yet established a will, simply include Thacher as a beneficiary of an existing retirement account or life insurance policy at any specific dollar amount or percentage.

• You can make a gift that costs you nothing during your lifetime.

• You can make a gift that leaves your cash flow and current financial planning unchanged.

• You don’t have to use cash to make your gift; you can “buy low and give high” by making your gift with appreciated securities instead.

• You can give an asset you no longer need or want.

Goals and Benefits There are many ways to make a legacy gift to The Thacher School. Take a look at some of the options designed to help you to achieve different goals, and feel free to contact us with questions.

YOUR GOAL

YOUR STRATEGY

YOUR BENEFIT

Make a gift for Thacher’s future that costs you nothing now.

Include a gift from your will or trust (cash, specific property, or a share of the estate).

Helps build Thacher’s financial strength and provide resources that maintain our traditions.

Transforming Your WILL Most Boot Hill Legacy Society members have remembered Thacher through a will provision or a beneficiary designation in a retirement plan account.

People generally include Thacher in their wills using one of the following methods.

1. General or Outright Bequest: Avoid capital gains liability and take an income tax deduction.

Use appreciated securities instead of cash to make your gift.

Buy low and give high— while avoiding capital gains tax.

Leave more of your estate to your heirs.

Name Thacher as beneficiary of your retirement plan, and leave less-taxed assets to family.

Eliminate income tax on retirement plan assets, and free up other property to pass to your heirs.

“I leave (choose one) $_____ or ______ percent of my estate to The Thacher School, Ojai, California. Federal tax ID number: 951642398.”

2. Specific Bequest: “I leave (name specific property here) to The Thacher School, Ojai California. Federal tax ID number: 95-1642398.” Examples include: 1,000 shares of ____ stock, a primary or secondary residence, etc.

3. Residuary Bequest: Continue to receive benefits from the assets you give to Thacher—and thus make a larger gift.

Create a life income plan like a charitable remainder trust.

Receive income for your lifetime, receive a charitable deduction, and diversify your holdings.

(After you have provided for your heirs.) “I leave twenty-five percent of the remainder of my estate to The Thacher School, Ojai California, Federal tax ID number: 95-1642398.”

4. Contingent Bequest: Create a long-term gift that won’t draw funds from your estate.

Create a new life insurance policy, or donate a paid-up policy of coverage you no longer need.

Increase your ability to make a significant gift to Thacher.

(Remembers Thacher if a named heir does not survive you.) “I leave $100,000 to my sister Lisa. If she does not survive me, then this bequest shall be made to The Thacher School, Ojai, California, Federal tax ID number: 95-1642398.”

5. Bequests in Trusts: Reduce gift and estate taxes and leave more of your assets to your heirs.

Tap one of the most valuable assets in your portfolio to make a gift to Thacher.

Create a charitable lead trust to pay income to Thacher for a fixed time, then pay the remainder to your heirs.

Use real estate to make your gift to Thacher.

Reduce gift and estate taxes, and freeze the taxable value of growing assets before they pass to your family.

Avoid capital gains tax and receive an income tax deduction.

Your will can create one or more trusts to provide for specific heirs, often children and grandchildren. Upon their deaths or at the end of the term of the trust, the balance could then be given to Thacher. These can be charitable trusts that generate an estate tax deduction.

Your will is an important legal document that should express your wishes and should be prepared by your attorney.

I WILL

REMEMBER THACHER!

Remembering Thacher in your will, with a gift of any size, is a soul-warming opportunity calling out your name.

Members of Boot Hill Legacy Society share a deep fondness for Casa de Piedra and a commitment to ensuring that Thacher’s unique traditions and philosophy reign for future generations.

How will you remember Thacher? We would love to hear from you today to discuss your goals and help identify the best legacy gift option for you and your family.

Hundreds of current and future Toads thank you for your consideration.

Sign up online: www.thacher.org/iwill Karleanne Rogers Director of Legacy Gifts 805-640-3201 x 242 krogers@thacher.org