More Ways to Give
Select an option below to learn more.
Donate by Check or Wire Transfer
Thank you for considering a donation by check, money order, or wire transfer.
Make a Matching Gift
Many employers offer matching gift programs for their current and retired employees, effectively multiplying the impact of a single donation. Click here to check if your employer matches charitable gifts.
Give a Gift of Stock or Securities
Giving appreciated assets like these help you avoid paying capital gains taxes, and can give you an income tax deduction.
Create a Scholarship Fund
Work with the Foundation Office to establish a scholarship fund to honor or memorialize loved ones. Such tribute gifts will make a significant impact on the lives of students and possibly change the trajectory of their lives for eternity.
Legacy Giving
Multiply the results of your generosity in ways that are simple, flexible, cost-effective and powerful with a planned gift.
Qualified Charitable Distributions
If you are 70 ½ or older, a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a tax-efficient way for you to give a sizable contribution directly from your Individual Retirement Account (IRA).
Donor-Advised Funds
Donor-advised funds are the fastest-growing charitable giving vehicle because they are the easiest, and most tax-savvy way to give. Create a grant recommendation from your donor-advised fund to support EC today!
Gifts-in-Kind (Non-Cash Assets)
Contributions of non-cash assets, or “Gifts in Kind”, are donations of tangible property such as books, equipment, real estate, personal collections, or other personal property. Learn more about how you can support EC with a non-cash gift-in-kind.
Gifts that Pay You Income
If you’re looking for a way to maintain your current lifestyle, increase your financial security, and lower your taxes, consider creating a charitable gift annuity.
Donate by Check or Wire Transfer
Checks may be mailed to:
The Foundation for Eastern Christian School
50 Oakwood Ave
North Haledon, NJ 07508-2449
Wire Transfer
You can wire funds directly to EC from your bank using the information provided below. To ensure proper crediting, please include your name and intended gift purpose.
Receiving Bank: Columbia Bank
Beneficiary Legal Account: Foundation for Eastern Christian School Association
Account & Routing #: Please call the Foundation at 973.427.9294 for the bank’s account number and routing number.
Bank Address #: 19-01 Rt. 208 N Fair Lawn, NJ 07410
Memo/Reference: Donor name and intended gift purpose (if any), otherwise funds will be directed to where it is need most
Give a Gift of Stock or Securities
Many people choose to donate stocks or securities instead of gifts of cash. Give appreciated assets now and enjoy the benefits, or add us as a beneficiary of these assets and eliminate estate and inheritance tax, making the most of your gift.
Benefits
- Gifts of assets can often save you far more on taxes than gifts of cash
- Avoid all capital gains taxes
- Receive an income tax deduction for the value of the assets (if you’ve had them for more than a year)
- Make an immediate impact on the mission of EC
How it works
- Transfer appreciated securities directly to us (and avoid all capital gains taxes)
- E-mail transfer details to foundation@big5vn.com, alerting Eastern Christian School to expect your gift
- Receive a tax receipt for the value of the assets
- The securities are sold and the funds put directly to use for greatest impact
Give your bank or broker the following instructions:
Columbia Bank
DTC# 0226
Regency Wealth Management
For Credit to Account: 676458207
Account name: Eastern Christian School Association Foundation
Tax ID#: 26-4337254
E-mail the following transfer details to foundation@big5vn.com so that we can thank you and send you a tax receipt:
- Name and address
- Date of transfer
- Name and ticker symbol of the security
- Number of shares
- Intended designation of your gift, if none please say “Where needed most”
Eastern Christian School Contact:
Maura Byrnes
Executive Director, Foundation for Eastern Christian School Association
Phone: 973-427-9294
Email: maurabyrnes@big5vn.com
Create a Scholarship Fund
Scholarship funds can ease families’ financial burden, help students to achieve their God-given dreams and goals, and ensure that future generations of students enjoy the same opportunities to learn and grow at Eastern Christian School.
Endowed & Expendable Scholarships
An endowed scholarship is one in which the full amount of the gift is deposited into EC’s endowment fund and only the interest earned is spent on tuition assistance, allowing the principal to grow and last for generations to follow. Endowed named scholarship funds may be created with a minimum gift of $100,000. This amount allows enough interest to be earned to award about $5,000 in scholarships every year.
An expendable scholarship, on the other hand, is one in which the donor and EC can determine how and when to award the full amount of the donation in scholarships. Expendable named funds may be established with a gift of at least $50,000.
Ready to Learn More about Starting a New Scholarship?
Please call the Foundation Office at 973-427-9294 or email foundation@big5vn.com.
Legacy Giving
1892 Society
The 1892 Society was established as a way to honor those who have pledged to include Eastern Christian School in their estate plans. Planned gifts cost nothing today and still allow you to make an incredible impact.
Current 1892 Society members, representing EC alumni, friends, parents and grandparents, are heroes to us because they are supporting the next generation of Christian leaders through their planned legacy gifts.
Join the 1892 Society today and secure an excellent Christ-centered education for future generations of students by making a planned gift to honor a loved one or to show what’s important in your life.
Popular Legacy Gifts
Gifts in a Will
By far the most popular type of planned gift, a donation in your will or trust empowers Eastern Christian School to continue providing rigorous, Christ-centered education to students for generations to come. Whether you decide to designate a specific amount or leave a percentage of your estate, including EC in your estate planning demonstrates the importance of Christian education and models a legacy of generosity to your loved ones, as well as ensures that Eastern Christian continues to make a difference beyond your lifetime.
EC is proud to provide all members of our community with complimentary access to trusted, biblically-based conversations regarding your will or trust with a Christian estate planner through the Barnabas Foundation.
Contact the Barnabas Foundation to start a conversation regarding your will today at 888.448.3040 or visit their website: barnabasfoundation.org
Beneficiary Designations
Designating Eastern Christian School as a beneficiary for assets not covered by your will — like 401(k)s, IRA accounts, or life insurance policies — may help your heirs avoid unwanted taxes, even if you’re below the estate tax threshold.
To name Eastern Christian School as a beneficiary of your retirement plan or insurance policy, contact your plan administrator to request a Change of Beneficiary form. EC’s tax identification number (EIN) is 26-4337254.
Qualified Charitable Distributions from your IRA
For those age 70 ½ or older, QCDs are a great way to make gifts directly from your IRA especially if you have a Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) for the year, which is the minimum amount that an individual must withdraw from their IRA each year once they reach age 73, because a QCD gift can help you meet your RMD while lowering your taxable income.
Who it’s for
- Individuals 70 ½ or older
- Those who have an Individual Retirement Account (IRA) that is a traditional IRA, not a Roth IRA
- Those who want to make a charitable gift that counts towards their Required Minimum Distribution
- Those who want to reduce their taxable income
Benefits
- Reduces taxable income
- Counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution for the year
- Makes an immediate impact on our mission
How it works
- Instruct your IRA custodian to distribute up to $100,000 directly to one or more eligible charities.
- The QCD counts towards your Required Minimum Distribution.
- The QCD is not included in your taxable income, which can reduce your overall tax liability. You will not receive a charitable income tax deduction for the QCD.
If you wish to make a Qualified Charitable Distribution, contact your IRA custodian to get started.
What is a Donor-Advised Fund?
A donor-advised fund (DAF) is like a charitable investment account that is set up for the sole purpose of supporting charities. Individuals can make contributions of cash, stocks, or other assets into the DAF and receive an immediate tax deduction. Those funds are then managed by a DAF custodian and invested for tax-free growth, and the donor can recommend donations to charities of their choice over time, providing flexibility in their giving strategy.
Benefits
- Receive an immediate tax deduction when contributing to your fund with the ability to distribute funds later
- Retain the flexibility to make grant recommendations at your discretion, strategically, over time
- Support Christian education and make an immediate impact on the mission of EC
- Create a lasting legacy and maintain family involvement in charitable decisions
How it works
- Log in to your donor-advised fund account or contact your fund administrator to submit a grant recommendation or request.
- Request a grant to:
Eastern Christian School
50 Oakwood Ave
North Haledon, NJ 07508
Federal Tax ID# (EIN): 26-4337254
If you choose to support EC with a donor-advised fund, please contact the Foundation Office at 973-427-9294 or foundation@big5vn.com to let us know to ensure that you are properly acknowledged and that your grant gets put to use as you intend.
Gifts-in-Kind (Non-Cash Assets)
Many donors make gifts of tangible property to Eastern Christian throughout the year, especially for the Auction Gala or other fundraising events. Gifts-in-kind may include books, equipment, furnishings, business interests, real estate, personal collections or other personal property. These gifts should be pre-arranged with the Foundation Office to ensure that the gift may be accepted, and EC reserves the right to use or liquidate any non-cash gifts in the best interest of the school.
Donors who would like to contribute a non-cash gift valued at more than $5,000.00 must provide the Foundation Office with an appraisal from an independent qualified source. Please consult your tax advisor or IRS Publication 561 to determine the value of your potential donated property.
Don’t forget to contact the Foundation Office at 973-427-9294 or foundation@big5vn.com to arrange a gift-in-kind donation to Eastern Christian.
Charitable Gift Annuities
Lifetime income gifts, like charitable gift annuities, are wonderful solutions for Christians who wish to give in a substantial way, but may be concerned about having enough retirement income.
Eastern Christian School partners with the Barnabas Foundation to make it possible for supporters like you to provide a gift up to $50,000 from your IRA to fund a gift annuity. In exchange for this gift, the Barnabas Foundation will make fixed annual payments to you based on your age, for as long as you live. Also, if you are 73 or older, these gifts count toward the required minimum distributions from your IRA, and since they are directed to a charity, they are tax-free. It’s a win-win for you and Eastern Christian!
Who it’s for
- Individuals 70 ½ or older
- Those who want to make a charitable gift that counts towards their Required Minimum Distribution
- Those who want to reduce their taxable income
- If you are under 65, you may want to consider a Deferred Charitable Gift Annuity, where payouts start after you hit a certain age
Benefits
- Receive an immediate income tax deduction for a portion of your gift
- Annuity payments are guaranteed for life, backed by a reserve and the assets of the Barnabas Foundation
- Annuity payments are partially tax free, making them more valuable than fully taxable income of the same size
How it works
- Transfer cash or securities to the Barnabas Foundation.
- The Barnabas Foundation will pay you a fixed income for life. The amount depends on the size of the transfer, and how old you are.
- The remaining funds pass to Eastern Christian School when the contract ends, creating a meaningful impact.
We do advise you to consult with a qualified estate planning attorney or financial advisor to determine if this is the right option for you. EC is proud to provide you with complimentary access to trusted, biblically-based conversations with a Christian estate planner through the Barnabas Foundation regarding a possible gift annuity.
Call the Barnabas Foundation to learn more about gifts that pay you income at 888.448.3040 or contact the Eastern Christian School Foundation Office at 973.427.9294 or foundation@big5vn.com for help or more information.
Eastern Christian School is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with tax identification number (EIN) 26-4337254.
Foundation Office | 973-427-9294 | foundation@big5vn.com